Career Specialist

Pay Range:

$20.34 - $23.93 Hourly (DOE) 

MONTROSE COUNTY BENEFIT INFORMATION:

2023 Montrose County Benefit Information

General Statement of Duties:  Delivers Employment First services to clients in Montrose County.  Caseload involves state/federal funding sources requiring adherence to prescribed rules/regulations related to the receipt of food assistance. 

Supervision Received:  Works under the supervision of an Eligibility Supervisor and performs a variety of routine work within established policies, procedures and receives detailed instructions on new projects and assignments. 

Supervision Exercised:  This position has no supervisory responsibilities. 

Essential Functions:  Any one position may not include all of the duties listed nor do the listed examples include all duties which may be found in positions of this class. 

• Assesses labor market information and local, regional, and national employment trends, statistics, economic and demographic data, and employment opportunities.
• Researches specific occupations, helps clients choose a new career, or analyzes client’s skills to find an occupation that best suits them.
• Accesses suitable training or educational programs, as well as information on training providers and schools.
• Provides assistance in looking for or getting placed in a new job and teaching clients how to develop effective resumes’ and cover letters.        
• Creates and facilitates job preparation classes that address basic pre-employment skills as well as core Employment First Competencies.
• Increases and maintains volunteer worksites in the County.     
• Develops specific employment opportunities for Employment First Clients.
• Teaches and encourages clients’ implementation of effective job retention strategies.
• Schedules the first appointment with Employment First within 14 calendar days from the date referred from the food stamp office.   
• Enters required information from the work registration form into the Employment First automated system for each person referred from the food stamp office to Employment First.
• Creates a case file for each individual referred by the food stamp office to Employment First. 
• Facilitates a group orientation weekly for new participants using the approved PowerPoint orientation program in each county.
• Completes an assessment as prescribed by the state Employment First Office and provides appropriate services for each referred, non-exempt participant who reports to Employment First.
• Completes a participant component contract for each individual enrolled in an Employment First activity.
• Completes and documents core competencies for each program participant.
• Notifies the food stamp office of the determination of non-compliance without good cause, through CBMS access and/or personal reference.
• Compiles data and submits required reports within prescribed time frames.
• Coordinates program operations with the state Employment First staff.
• Ensures that participants receive the appropriate reimbursement for transportation if available.
• Utilizes required forms as prescribed or approved by the state.
• Attends scheduled State Employment First program meetings and training as required.
• Maintains a minimum of monthly face-to-face contact with each Employment First participant.
• Verifies all participant employment and reports to Eligibility Technicians.
• Ensures that all funds expended are for allowable program costs.
• Regular and predictable attendance is required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 

Education:  A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Behavioral Sciences, Social Sciences or related field.  

Experience:  Experience in case management/counseling services and working with diverse populations is preferred.  

Required Knowledge:  Referral skills, basic counseling skills and logic to problem solve; working knowledge of economic, cultural, and social characteristics of the service area, and of employer base and employment skill requirements. 

Language Skills:  Must have the ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing and the skill to organize materials and present information clearly and concisely in verbal and written form. Must be able to read, understand, and interpret complex documents. Must understand and follow verbal and written instructions. Must have proficient knowledge of the English language, proper grammar, punctuation and spelling in other oral and written communication and have understanding of current technical report and business correspondence writing techniques and methods. Must be able to read, comprehend and apply laws, rules, regulations, policies and standard operating procedures required for this position, as well as, technical reports, procedure documents and manuals. Must be able to make effective and persuasive presentation on complex topics to a wide variety of audiences. 

Interpersonal Skills:  Must possess the ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with fellow employees, representatives of other agencies and organizations and members of the community. Have strong customer service orientation and work collaboratively within a team environment. Interact professionally and diplomatically with County employees, other agencies and organizations and members of the community and manage difficult or emotional customer situations. Must have the skill to organize work flow and accomplish established objectives. Possess the ability to recognize when confidentiality is required and maintain strict confidentiality. Must maintain appropriate professional boundaries in relationships with customer/clients and the general public. 

Mathematical Skills:  Must have the ability to work with basic mathematical concepts such as addition, subtraction, multiplication and division and apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.   

Reasoning Skills:  Must be able to apply basic principles of logic and reasoning to a variety of practical problems. Have problem solving and troubleshooting skills. Must have strong organizational skills and the ability to prioritize and work on multiple tasks. Must be able to exercise some independent judgment and function under pressure. Must be able to accomplish assigned tasks to meet established performance standards and objectives and thinks through the consequences of a decision prior to making it.   

Office Technology/Computer Skills:  Must be able to effectively use modern office technology and equipment, including computers, calculators, telephone, copiers with scanning and faxing capabilities. Must have fundamental experience with word processing, database manipulation, spread sheets, email, and the knowledge to save and retrieve documents from a variety of destinations and sources. Must be able to learn the software and programs related to the position and the County. 

Physical Demands:  The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to sit and stand for long periods of time; use hands and fingers to handle or feel; and reach with hands or arms. The employee is required to stand, walk, climb or balance, twist, stoop, kneel, crouch. Must be able to respond to the customers’ needs and perform tasks requiring extensive hand and eye coordination.  Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard, mouse and other devices and objects.  The employee must frequently lift and/or move objects up to 25 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Physical ability and mobility to drive a motor vehicle to and from field and meetings as required.  Ability to work extended shifts and attend training and meetings outside of regularly scheduled hours and the ability to work in stressful situations. 

Work Environment:  The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  This job operates in a professional office environment.  This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.  Ability to tolerate and be productive in a quiet to moderate noise level in the work place.  Employee will have periodic exposure to hazards in the field such as driving and inclement weather and potentially hostile clientele. 

Special Requirements:  Must possess and maintain a valid Colorado Driver’s License and satisfactory driving record.  Ability to pass criminal history and child abuse/neglect background check.  Must Completion of mandatory HIPAA training and ICS training courses 100 and 700 within one year of hire. 

Other Duties:  Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.  Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.