The DWP Employment Counselor is responsible for providing diversionary work program (DWP) services to participants looking for employment. This position is responsible for enrolling participants into the program and monitoring their progress. DWP staff will provide comprehensive services for persons reentering the labor market including: assessments, educational and career coaching, connection to internal and external supportive services, traditional & non-traditional job placement, facilitation of intake, workplace interventions, and general case management duties (advocacy, referrals, documentation/reporting of all activities and client outcomes in case files and database systems).
The DWP Employment Counselor performs a wide range of duties including but not limited to the following:
- Provide a variety of services and support to a caseload of participants including: intake; needs/goals/strengths assessment; counseling, training, and coordination with partners; employment and education/training; and job retention/advancement services.
Ensure the overall integration and maintenance of participant caseloads in DWP and all Emerge programming/opportunities available to participants. - Provide participants with a solid overview of the program’s mission, goals, support services and requirements.
- Partner with other EMERGE teams to provide financial readiness education, training and skill development, and other opportunities and services to eligible participants. *
- Facilitate key coaching and on-the-job training to enhance the development of marketable work skills, successful work habits, and participant-directed self-sufficiency goals.*
- Effectively utilize external and internal databases to track activities and document progress to meet 100% of state and county requirements.*
- Partner with the Education Navigator to ensure participants are knowledgeable of their education/training options and encouraged to consider education as the first step on their career path.*
- Partner with the Career Advancement Coach to assess participant skills, interests, and aptitudes and connect participants with employment opportunities.
- Partner with Finance and Benefits Coach to ensure participants are fully aware of and take advantage of their benefits program at their current employer.
- Coordinate with external partner organizations to actively refer program participants for volunteer/unpaid work/supported work opportunities. *
- Provide referrals to Hennepin County to all DWP participants who have not met their employment goals within 4 months.
- Perform any other tasks and duties necessary in order for the agency to meet its mission.
*Essential Job Function for the American with Disabilities Act
IV. Position Requirements: |
Education and Experience
- BA degree in human services or related field preferred or equivalent combination of post-secondary education and relevant experience.
- One year of work experience in employment & training, human services; MFIP and/or DWP experience preferred.
- GCDF certification preferred, must be obtained within one year of employment.
Skills, Knowledge and Abilities
- Demonstrated skills in Microsoft Office 365, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
- Ability to work effectively in a mission-driven agency whose clients and staff reflect significant diversity with respect to race, ethnicity, gender, orientation, socio-economic status, nationality and religion.
- Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with others, both internally and externally, to achieve the goals of the organization.
- Ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences using appropriate and effective communication tools and techniques.
- Ability to work independently with limited supervision.
- Ability to identify and analyze problems; develop and carry out effective courses of actions.
- Ability to maintain client confidentiality.
- Skilled in coaching and supporting participants in enrolling and completing education/training and/or obtaining and retaining full-time employment.
- Ability to retain a working knowledge of participant-specific needs related to limited English proficiency, basic needs, immigration, transportation, disability status, and career development.
- Knowledge and sensitivity to psychosocial, economic, and physical conditions affecting participants.
- Skilled in the provision of accurate, detailed, and results-oriented case management services.
- Ability to keep accurate and complete records and complete tasks by appropriate deadlines.
- Ability to navigate multiple internal and external databases.
- Ability to travel between multiple agency locations.
V. Working Conditions and Environment: |
ECTC: Incumbent will have a private office/designated workspace in a typical office environment. The building is multiple floors and fully accessible and is smoke-free. Work will include regular local travel. Working hours are generally Monday through Friday, 8 am-5:00 pm, but may include occasional evening and weekend hours. Hybrid schedule with days worked from home are available. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, sometimes loud.
CROC: Incumbent will have a private office/designated workspace in a typical office environment. The building is fully accessible and is smoke-free. Work will include regular local travel. Working hours are generally Monday through Friday, 8 am-5:00 pm, but may include occasional evening and weekend hours.
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