Business Service Representative in Hagerstown, Maryland at Western Maryland Consortium

Position Summary

Business Service Representative/Career Counselor provides comprehensive employment services to our clients. Empowering individuals to find fulfilling careers by offering personalized guidance, connecting them with resources, and advocating for their success.
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Essential Functions

• Master Consortium Programs: Become proficient in the programs, services, and policies of the Western Maryland Consortium (WMC), Maryland Workforce Exchange (MWE), Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) – American Job Center partnerships, and their mission statements. Actively participate in all relevant training and professional development opportunities.
• Build Community Partnerships: Develop and maintain strong relationships with American Job Center partners and other community resources, ensuring seamless referrals and access to vital services for clients based on their individual needs.
• Represent the Consortium: Participate in relevant agency/business/organization meetings to advance the Consortium’s goals and objectives.
• Stay Ahead of Employment Trends: Maintain a thorough understanding of current local, regional, and national employment trends, career development best practices, and in-demand jobs and career pathways.
• Active Recruitment: Actively recruit both businesses/worksites and participants for WMC programs, including outreach to diverse populations (e.g., in-school youth, out-of-school youth).
• Collaborative Case Management: Collaborate closely with WMC Career Counselors to contribute to the continuous development of Individual Employment Plans (IEPs), assessing client strengths, weaknesses, and barriers to employment.
• Develop Job Search Strategies: Develop personalized job search plans for each participant, reflecting the IEP objectives.
• Conduct Job Search Activities: Design and deliver individual and group job search workshops and activities, utilizing technology and social media effectively.
• Resume and Cover Letter Development: Review, develop, and compose effective resumes and cover letters for clients.
• Client Relationship Management: Maintain regular contact with clients throughout the job search, employment, and retention periods, adhering to WIOA guidelines.
• Employer Relations: Cultivate relationships with local employers, promoting WMC services and securing job placements.
• On-the-Job Training: Market and manage On-the-Job Training programs, working with employers to develop effective training plans with defined objectives.
• Administrative Duties: Maintain accurate and complete client files; prepare and submit required documentation for administrative approval.
• Workplace Visits and Communication: Regularly visit workplaces, facilitate communication between employers and participants, and provide support and conflict resolution as needed.
• Progress Monitoring and Reporting: Review client progress, provide counseling, and prepare regular reports for Career Counselors and the office supervisor.
• Budget Management (OJT): Review the accuracy of OJT contract budgets and expenditures, ensuring clear communication with WMC administrative fiscal office.
• Program Close-Out: Complete program close-out procedures, ensuring follow-up contact with employers and participants.
• Additional Duties: Perform other duties as required to support the successful operation of WMC programs.

The above requirements are representative of minimum knowledge, skills, and abilities. To perform this job successfully, the individual will possess the ability and aptitude to perform each duty proficiently.

Educational and Other Requirements

• Associate degree or two years of related job experience.
• GCDF certification preferred (must be obtained within one year of hire).
• Experience delivering individualized coaching and mentorship that supports goal attainment and professional growth.
• Demonstrated experience managing projects, coordinating across teams, and using data to improve program performance.
• Demonstrated ability to build rapport with diverse stakeholders, including participants, colleagues, and community partners.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to deliver constructive feedback, facilitate group discussions, and write clearly and professionally.
• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with a team.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.

Physical Requirements
The physical requirements represent those that an associate must meet to perform this job’s essential functions successfully. Reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions may be available.

While performing the essential functions, the associate is sitting, standing, walking, talking, hearing and use of manual dexterity most of the time while occasionally, lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, handling, grasping, feeling, and using repetitive motion.

Work is generally performed in an office environment; however, the associate may be exposed to extreme cold, heat or temperature changes and possible atmospheric conditions and hazards and moderate noise. The associate must have the ability to exert force with little physical effort and for light and medium work.
Other information to consider:

• The job description is only a summary of the typical functions of the job, not an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all possible job responsibilities, tasks, and duties. The responsibilities, tasks, and duties of the jobholder might differ from those outlined in the job description and other duties as assigned might be part of the job.
• This job description does not constitute an employment contract; the employment relationship between Western Maryland Consortium and the employee is an at-will relationship.
• This job operates in a professional office environment and uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, and fax machines.
• There may be occasional local day travel. No overnight travel is expected for this position but may occur occasionally.