Career Advisor 1 - La Grange

Responsibilities

• Provides comprehensive career assessments (including professional-level customers and individuals with substantial barriers to employment) to determine occupational interests and aptitude.
• Identifies training and development needs, current level of vocational skills, employment history, interests, and abilities to assist jobseekers in understanding career options based on their long-term career goals.
• Influences and empowers job seekers and program participants to find employment.
• Recommends helpful workforce programs and services at the local, state, and federal level that customers are eligible to participate and enroll in.
• Conducts intake process and completes program eligibility for grant-funded programs.
• Guides job seekers through the career development and exploration process.
• Helps determine occupational interests and abilities using a wide range of workforce tools, such as aptitude assessments, interviewing techniques, resume writing, and other career planning services.
• Provides useful and relevant labor market information, including opportunities, qualifications, and expected pay in various industries to help customers develop actionable and realistic career goals.
• Educates participants on job search skills and industry trends to prepare them for employment.
• Uses electronic and other resources to help customers make career and job search decisions.
• Directly assists jobseekers with resume development, simulated mock interviews, and developing successful job search strategies.
• Provides information regarding training opportunities and educational/training vendors based on jobseeker interest, including financial aid and scholarships.
• Refers participants to training opportunities (occupational skills training, work-based training, apprenticeship) for employability skills and other professional development opportunities.
• Prepares and submits Individual Training Account (ITA), work-based training requests, and/or supportive service requests in a timely manner.
• Continuously evaluates customers' needs and provides referrals/connections to internal or external support services to help overcome challenges and obstacles that could undermine academic or career success.
• Maintains continuous contact with customers in caseload to provide ongoing career services, case management, career advising, and regularly monitors progress to ensure completion of academic or occupational goals.
• Develops constructive and cooperative working relationships with internal team members, the public, and external partners.
• Partners with business solutions unit within career centers to help identify employment opportunities for participants.
• Proactively screens and refers participants to job opportunities they are qualified for, with a focus on training-related development.
• Proactively seeks ways to improve workforce services to meet labor market needs.
• Manages customer information and enters required data (service codes and case notes) into the management information system(s) in a timely manner.
• Ensures that case files meet or exceed all local, state, and federal quality assurance requirements.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills & Qualifications

• Knowledge of workforce development, economic development, and project management.
• Knowledge of effective conflict resolution practices, individual case management, and career counseling.
• Proficiency in word processing, spreadsheet software, and general computer skills.
• Exceptional customer service and interpersonal skills.
• Able to work with diverse customers with unique needs and communication styles.
• Ability to effectively handle or resolve stressful or challenging situations.