Job Description:

Full-Time Employment Counselor: Career Placement Counselor; Southwick Dislocated Worker Grant; MassHire Merrimack Valley Career Center; 37.5 hours per week; Grant Funded; MCCC/MTA classification system; Pay grade 3.

The employment counselor provides re-employment services for workers who have lost their jobs due to the closing of the companies included in the Southwick Grant. These companies include Southwick LLC; Philips, North America; and 3M Touch Systems. Many of the workers affected by these closing are limited English speakers. The purpose of this position is to help these affected workers become job ready to achieve their employment goal. The employment counselor reviews and analyzes customer information through records, tests and interviews; conducts counseling interviews; describes, explains, counsels, and determines eligibility for training and other programs; delivers workshops and information sessions; advises project participants on such matters as job search methods and job interview processes; maintains timely and comprehensive customer information in the Massachusetts One Stop Employment System (MOSES) database; and performs related work as required. This position does not work on the college campus. It is located at the MassHire Merrimack Valley Career Center at 255 Essex Street in Lawrence.

RESPONSIBILITIES: This position will report to MassHire Merrimack Valley Career Center Project Manager, Southwick Grant and will be required to perform the following:

• Participate in outreach efforts to ensure all workers affected by these closings are aware of services to help them become reemployed.
• Determine eligibility for services and collect and maintain required eligibility documentation.
• Provide information, assistance, support and guidance to customers on such matters as job search methods, job interview process and identifying solutions to real or perceived barriers to employment to enable job seekers to become job ready. Recommend specific courses of action to prepare customers for employment and/or training opportunities.
• Conduct comprehensive assessment of each customer. This assessment includes review and analysis of customer information obtained through records, tests and interviews to appraise work history, transferable skills, educational background, interests, aptitudes, abilities, and personal characteristics, consideration of labor market information, and determination of marketability.
• In collaboration with the job seeker customer and based on results of comprehensive assessment, develop a career action plan that outlines services, including, but not limited to, education and training, that will lead to achievement of the job seeker's employment goal.
• Maintain ongoing customer contact (minimum of 30 days) to determine progress of job search and/or training and provide counseling until the customer has found employment.
• Conduct group sessions and services, as needed.
• Maintain and document all services and notes in the Massachusetts One Stop Employment System (MOSES) database for monitoring review and compliance.
• Describe, explain or answer inquiries concerning eligibility, procedures and benefits using agency guidelines to inform customers and other interested parties of agency programs and services.
• Maintain liaison with public and private organizations, including WIOA partner organizations and community organizations, to promote programs and services, exchange information and develop the resources necessary to provide high quality customer services.
• Work in tandem with recruiters to cultivate candidate pipelines and match qualified customers to open positions.
• Work closely with career center business services staff to understand employer needs and organizational structure to facilitate appropriate customer referrals to job orders.
• Perform related duties such as maintaining records, preparing reports and attending meetings, as required.
• Participate in staff development and cross training opportunities that expand and support functional skills and promote professional growth.
• The Classification Specifications can be found at: https://www.mass.edu/shared/classificationspecs/specsmccc/Career Placement Counselor - HB 1108.doc

Requirements:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• A minimum of three (3) years of counseling/case management experience in workforce development
• Ability to work independently
• Strong customer service and oral and written communication skills
• Ability to interact with a wide range of individuals and personalities
• Knowledge of regional community service agencies, training providers, and regional employment and workforce trends
• Computer skills, including Word, Excel, Power Point, and Outlook
• Transportation and valid driver's license
• Ability to work evenings and Saturday hours, if needed

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with community and partner agencies
• Ability to adapt to constantly changing environments and priorities
• Familiarity with electronic reporting procedures including accurate and timely data entry and report generation; experience in utilizing and good understanding of the MOSES Database
• Bilingual English/Spanish or English/Vietnamese
• Experience working with and supporting a culturally diverse, urban population in a Hispanic-Serving Institution.

Additional Information:

SALARY: Anticipated salary range is $44,852.00 to $50,954.00 annually with complete fringe benefit package. Complete fringe benefit package including competitive health insurance, dental insurance, basic life insurance, long-term disability insurance, paid sick, vacation and personal leave, educational benefits for employee/spouse/dependents, and excellent retirement benefits. Actual salary calculated in compliance with MCCC/MTA classification system; Pay grade 3.

ANTICIPATED START DATE: April 2021

DEADLINE: March 10, 2021

Northern Essex Community College is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, religion, color, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, genetic information, maternity leave, military service and national origin and any other protected class in its education programs and activities as required by Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, the American with Disabilities Act of 1990, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and other applicable statues and college policies. The College prohibits sexual harassment, including sexual violence. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding Americans with Disabilities Act, the Rehabilitation Act and related statutes and regulations, Affirmative Action, non-discrimination policies, and Title IX compliance/sexual harassment: Assistant Director of Human Resources, Elizabete Trelegan B-219, 978-556-3928/ etrelegan@necc.mass.edu. Inquiries or complaints concerning discrimination, harassment, retaliation or sexual violence shall be referred to the College's Affirmative Action Officer/Title IX Coordinator, the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination, the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission or the United States Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights.

Prospective employees are encouraged to review the College's Annual Security Report (ASR), in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, which can be found on the disclosure page of the College's website at: http://www.necc.mass.edu/clery

Application Instructions:

TO APPLY: To be considered for this position you must submit a cover letter & resume online.