EMPLOYMENT COUNSELOR TRAINEE
DEFINITION:
Under the close supervision of an Employment Supervisor or manager in the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, as trainee and productive worker, learns to provide career counseling and related employment-directed services to job seekers; learns to provide assistance in resolving problems related to occupational choice, change, or adjustment; learns to provide assistance in researching and preparing for job opportunities, and/or provides basic or occupational skills training to achieve an industry valued credential and career path; does other related duties as required.
NOTE: The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.
NOTE: Appointments may be made to positions requiring bilingual skills.
64760C - Bilingual in Spanish and English
SPECIAL SKILL: Applicants must be able to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in Spanish and English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position.
EXAMPLES OF WORK:
Under close supervision, as trainee and productive worker:
Learns to interview and counsel applicants who require special assistance in occupational problems of choice, change, or adjustment; learns to assist in determining the specific cause of occupational maladjustment; learns to record needed personal and vocational data and assist the applicant in evaluating vocational abilities and potentialities, interests, and capacities and in relating them realistically to prevailing occupational requirements and conditions.
Learns to deliver one-on-one employment counseling that provides applicants with a comprehensive assessment, employability plan, resume critique, and referral to appropriate job opening, services, and training.
Learns to assist applicants with creating resumes reflective of 21st century styles which highlight the specific attributes and accomplishments necessary for the applicant to successfully apply for employment openings.
Assists in interpreting the results of aptitude, performance, and other tests, and assists in helping applicants to analyze and evaluate their vocational assets and relate them to realistic occupational objectives.
Refers applicants to other community agencies for special services beyond the scope of the office as required.
Develops and maintains cooperative relationships with local community training, educational, rehabilitation, and social agencies to assist applicants with vocational problems and provide supportive services.
Learns to provide placement services to applicants related to career plans.
Assists in making determinations to ascertain applicants’ eligibility for various programs.
Aids in the preparation of detailed histories of applicants, and in the follow-up activities of placements.
Assists in following up with applicants on a regular basis using a case management approach to ensure appropriate progress is being made towards employability plan goals.
Prepares reports and correspondence.
Establishes and maintains records and files.
Will be required to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
REQUIREMENTS:
NOTE: Applicants must meet one of the following or a combination of both experience and education. Thirty (30) semester hour credits are equal to one (1) year of relevant experience.
Four (4) years of professional experience in career guidance or employment counseling, including or supplemented by six (6) semester hour credits in Non-introductory Sociology or Psychology or other field of study directly related to vocational counseling or workforce and career development, and three (3) semester hour credits in the Behavioral Sciences, Statistics, or Non- Introductory Labor Market Information courses.
OR
Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, including or supplemented by six (6) semester hour credits in Non-introductory Sociology or Psychology or other field of study directly related to vocational counseling or workforce and career development, and three (3) semester hour credits in the Behavioral Sciences, Statistics, or Non- Introductory Labor Market Information courses.
NOTE: Courses in Public Safety, Criminal Justice, Public Safety Administration or Philosophy will not be accepted toward meeting the special credits requirements in the Behavioral Sciences.
SPECIAL TRAINING:
An additional six (6) additional semester hour credits in the Behavioral Sciences, Statistics or Non-introductory Labor Market Information courses are required for advancement to the primary title, Employment Counselor. Appointees who do not meet this requirement must earn these additional credits during the Trainee period.
NOTE: "Professional experience" refers to work that is analytical, evaluative, and interpretive; requires a range of basic knowledge of the profession's concepts and practices; and is performed with the authority to act and make accurate and informed decisions.
LICENSE:
Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.
KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge of the problems encountered in counseling applicants for employment.
Knowledge of the available resources and techniques used to assist applicants to secure employment.
Knowledge of the principles and techniques of career guidance.
Ability to learn the variety of occupations and industries, and of current employment and industrial conditions in New Jersey, and the skills, abilities, qualifications, and training required for specific types of work.
Ability to learn the registration, interview, and placement techniques of the assigned agency, and placing applicants for employment.
Ability to read, interpret, and apply laws, rules, and regulations regarding unemployment compensation, federal social security, and other acts which impact upon agency operations.
Ability to learn employment interview and counseling techniques.
Ability to learn occupational testing and evaluation techniques.
Ability to learn the principles and techniques used to appraise the career potential of applicants.
Ability to learn and become productive from an in-service training program.
Ability to organize assigned career counseling work, analyze specific vocational problems, and develop effective work methods.
Ability to observe and evaluate the characteristics, physical capacities, formal education, and other training, work histories, and potential abilities and interests of applicants and to relate these factors to prevailing occupational requirements and conditions.
Ability to develop and maintain cooperative working relationships with associates, applicants, employers, and with public and private community agency representatives.
Ability to draft correspondence in connection with the counseling program.
Ability to prepare clear, sound, accurate, and informative statistical and other reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
Ability to maintain records and files.
Ability to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible if they can perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
ADVANCEMENT:
Appointees who successfully complete the required twelve (12) month training period and who obtain the necessary credits to constitute a total of fifteen (15) semester hour credits in the behavioral sciences will be eligible for advancement to the title of Employment Counselor, under Civil Service Commission procedures.
The inability of an employee to obtain the required fifteen (15) semester hour credits and/or to attain a level of performance warranting advancement to the title listed above shall be considered as cause for separation.
This job specification is applicable to the following title code(s) which
are different work week or work month and/or variants of the job class title:
