Job Details

Employment Services Coordinator

Under occasional supervision, this position is responsible for coordinating comprehensive employment programs for clients of the Employment Service program. This position reports to the Employment Services Supervisor.

Conducts sessions for assessments and reassessments of employment services program participants to determine participants' employability; supervises participants' job search efforts; scans newspapers, etc. to assist client in job search; provides counseling throughout participant employment and keeps written documentation of each counseling session.

Assist in the supervision, training and evaluation of staff; reviews records submitted for case action approval. Assists in the development of the training curriculum for new workers, prioritizing and assigning work and related activities.

Assists with job search development and activities, leads, placement, and retention and career counseling; monitors work site placements, public services and community work experience activities and career counseling workgroups. Makes community and agency resources referrals to assist with supportive and emergency services, including childcare, transportation, tools, uniforms, shelter and school expenses.

Provides counseling throughout participant employment and keeps written documentation of each counseling session. Maintains case records and submits reports, records, forms, etc., as required by local, state and federal governing agencies.

Safeguards computer files and financial documents which reflect changes from any service units providing services to participating Employment Service Program clients; enters data and updates client information into the Employment Services Program Automated System (ESPAS).

Develops plan of participation to record goals and objectives toward employment for program participant; may re-design plans as program participants' status or needs change, or as otherwise necessary; monitors participants' job search effort and placement; assigns participants to various education and training facets of program.

Serves on various committees, task forces, training sessions, unit meetings and conferences in support of the goals and objectives of the Employment Services Bureau; makes presentations to groups and is involved in other public relations activities to promote the overall employment services program. Attends in-service and other training sessions and conferences.

Performs other duties as assigned. Individual assignments will be determined by supervisor based on current workload and department needs.

Has considerable knowledge of local, state and federal laws, ordinances, rules and regulations pertaining to government sponsored employment programs. Knowledge of the forms, documents and manuals associated with Employment Services programs; recruiting and placement procedures used by public and private employers. Has general knowledge of a wide variety of occupational fields and program eligibility requirements is able to use common office machines and audio-visual playback equipment. Is able to read and compare words and figures carefully and accurately. Is able to maintain accurate participant records and prepare reports from such records. Is able to exercise independent judgment in organizing and establishing format. Is able to analyze and evaluate programs and to prepare reports on the programs' functioning. Is able to establish and maintain effective communication with employers in the community. Has the ability to effectively express ideas orally and in writing. Is able to make oral presentations before large groups of people. Is able to explain rules, regulations and policies of the Employment Services programs in terms understood by clients and the general public. Is able to exercise considerable tact, courtesy, discretion, firmness and fairness in contact with program clients, and the general public. Is able to exercise considerable discretion in handling confidential files. Is able to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.

Requires a Bachelor's Degree in Counseling and Guidance, Human Services, Social Work or a closely related field and 3 to 5 years of experience in job development counseling or a related field; or any combination of education and experience. An acceptable general background check to include a local, state and federal criminal history check and sex offender registry check. Individuals in this position cannot be listed as having a founded child abuse or neglect complaint. A valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record. A Virginia Certified Workforce Development Professional Certification is preferred. In the event of a declared emergency in the city of Portsmouth, individuals in this position are required to work shelter duty and may be called on to perform duties as required to provide for the safety and care of the citizens of the community.

Must be physically able to operate a variety of automated office machines which include a computer, telephone, calculator, copier, facsimile machine, etc. Must be physically able to operate a motor vehicle. Must be able to exert up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Sedentary Work involves sitting most of the time, but may involve walking or standing for periods of time. Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, structural, or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things. Requires the ability of speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information. Includes receiving assignments and/or directions from superiors. Requires the ability to read a variety of reports, forms, correspondence, classified newspaper advertising, etc. Requires the ability to prepare reports and correspondence, forms, records, etc., using prescribed formats and conforming to all rules of punctuation, grammar, diction, and style. Requires the ability to speak before groups of people with poise, voice control and confidence. Requires the ability to plan work and develop procedures. Requires the ability to learn and/or evaluate complex information in order to make judgments and decisions. Requires the ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, to follow oral and written instructions. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in a variety of technical or professional languages including counseling terminology. Requires the ability to utilize mathematical formulas. Requires the ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide. Must be able to utilize decimals and percentages; interpret graphs; compute discount or interest. Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape. Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes rapidly and accurately in using automated office equipment. Requires the ability to handle a variety of items, office equipment, control knobs, switches, etc. Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination. Requires the ability to differentiate between colors and shades of color. Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under stress when confronted with persons acting under stress. Requires the ability to talk and/or hear: (talking - expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words; hearing - perceiving nature of sounds by ear).