The Employment Counselor is responsible for administering Onondaga County’s welfare to work program. The Employment Counselor provides intake, assessment, case management, job readiness/job search preparation, and/or post-employment follow-up services to mandated public assistance recipients. Participants may be fulltime employable, work limited, or medically exempt individuals in need of assistance. The Employment Counselor utilizes a variety of tools and programming to support participants on their paths to employment, self-sufficiency, or toward achieving the award of Social Security. The Employment Counselor represents the Department of Social Services by modeling a strong work ethic and exemplary professionalism wholly embodying the core values of the program. Does related work as required.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES

• Review participant information required by the Office of Temporary Assistance. This includes basic skills
  proficiency, childcare and other supportive needs, skills and prior work experience, training and vocational
  interests, and family circumstances.
• Effectively communicate activities required for the participant to remain in program compliance.
• Review and access results of standardized tests and identify specific training needs.
• Work with job seekers individually and in groups to develop employability plans and restoration to self-sufficiency
  plans depending on individual circumstances.
• Work with potential clients in their homes or in the office to assist with all phases of the SSI application process.
• Assign participant to appropriate combination of employment, rehabilitative and treatment activity per NYS
  guidelines.
• Develop and implement group and individual activities dealing with such topics as life skills, soft skills, best
  practices in job searching and resume writing, interviewing and job retention skills.
• Research and collaborate with community agencies that can coordinate services to meet participant needs; refer
  participant to appropriate agency.
• Monitor jobseeker participation and progress in assigned activity by requesting, collecting, and reviewing
  attendance, minimally on a monthly basis.
• Review participant information required by the Office of Temporary Assistance. This includes basic skills
  proficiency, childcare and other supportive needs, skills and prior work experience, training and vocational
  interests, and family circumstances.
• Effectively communicate activities required for the participant to remain in program compliance.
• Review and access results of standardized tests and identify specific training needs.
• Work with job seekers individually and in groups to develop employability plans and restoration to self- sufficiency
  plans depending on individual circumstances.
• Work with potential clients in their homes or in the office to assist with all phases of the SSI application process.
• Assign participant to appropriate combination of employment, rehabilitative and treatment activity per NYS guidelines.
• Ensure jobseekers have all the support mechanisms in place to succeed – childcare, transportation, work clothing, etc.
• Provide conciliation and/or remedial interventions and follow-up.
• Enter and maintain comprehensive case notes utilizing the established format in a timely manner.
• Provide ADA and DEP accommodations to participants including the use of translation services.
• Connect jobseekers to direct job leads matching their skill level and work experience.
• Track and document client employment outcomes.
• Network with community partners and employers to foster relationships for creating new work and volunteer opportunities for jobseekers.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

• Ability to work with diverse populations including those who are educationally and economically disadvantaged.
• Working knowledge of concepts of the cultural, environmental, and personal factors influencing the lives of
  persons who are economically disadvantaged, low income or unemployed.
• The ability to engage and coach adults to achieve goals
• The ability to manage and prioritize one’s own day to day work requirements in a fast-paced environment.
• The ability to communicate effectively and appropriately while maintaining positive relationships with clients
  and colleagues.
• The ability to use independent judgment, critical thinking, and active listening to identify complex problems,
  evaluate options and implement solutions.
• Working knowledge of community organizations and human service agencies.
• Working knowledge of training and educational programs available through local agencies.