Job Description

If you like helping people to be successful, this job is for you. The Workforce Development Division (WDD) at the Department of Workforce Services (DWS) is looking for a skilled and motivated individual to fill an Employment Counselor position in the Panguitch office.

*This position may be filled as an Employment Counselor II for an internal applicant, depending on qualifications.*

Principal Duties
Employment Counselors deliver a broad range of services to assist case managed customers, job seekers, the general public and their families to resolve barriers and increase skills in order to obtain and maintain employment. Services are focused on individual and family needs and may be provided one-on-one or in group settings. Some positions involve outreach to community partners. These services typically include:

• Providing career and educational counseling to empower customers to become more self-sufficient and confident.
• Assessing customers and their families to identify barriers to self-sufficiency, employment, training and income goals.
• Utilizing motivational interviewing techniques to create a supportive environment.
• Developing employment plans with activities leading to achieving goals and/or work readiness, as well as monitoring and evaluating employment plans activities and progress.
• Utilizing labor market information, local resources, referral to community partners and employers to assist customers in meeting their goals.
• Assessing needs and educating customers about DWS programs, policies, services and providing assistance in the application for temporary assistance programs (Food Stamps, Financial, Medicaid, Child Care and Unemployment Insurance).
• Visiting homes when needed to establish relationships, increase rapport, problem solve, engage or re-engage the customer.
• Assisting customers with resume creation, networking, mock interviewing and job searching with technology.

The Ideal Candidate
The model candidate for this position is someone who has:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• The ability to present information clearly and effectively.
• Exceptional customer service skills and ability to assist people in a manner which shows sensitivity, tact and professionalism, without prejudice or bias.
• Knowledge of agency programs, community resources and services, local labor market, and job search techniques.
• The ability to provide family focused career counseling and proactively engage and motivate customers.
• Motivational interviewing skills to collect information and establish a supportive relationship.
• The ability to problem solve and identify creative solutions to lead to successful outcomes.
• Education and/or work experience relating to case management, career counseling or social services.

Preference

• Preference may be given to those fluent in Spanish.

Why You Should Join Our Team
Besides working for a fantastic agency that is dedicated to helping the citizens of Utah, you will receive great health and retirement benefits. Click here to view a summary of benefits we offer. We also provide generous paid time off so you can spend more time with your family and have a positive work-life balance.

The Agency
The mission of Workforce Services is to strengthen Utah’s communities by connecting the workforce to new opportunities and providing services to individuals and families in need. Today, more than 2,200 Workforce Services employees assist individuals in preparing for and finding jobs, meeting workforce needs of Utah businesses, administering temporary assistance, and providing economic data and analysis. Through a collaborative approach, the department has served millions of Utahns and has become a leader on several statewide initiatives. These include intergenerational poverty, homelessness, affordable housing, supporting refugees, helping rural communities, serving veterans and individuals with disabilities, and getting Utahns trained and back to work. To learn more about Workforce Services, click here.

Supplemental Information

DHRM rules regarding promotions and transfers apply to current state of Utah employees.