Torchora
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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Employment Advisor

💰 $45,000 - $68,000

Social ServicesHuman ResourcesNon-ProfitGovernmentRecruitment

🎯 Role Definition

As an Employment Advisor, you are a pivotal change-agent dedicated to empowering individuals on their journey to sustainable and meaningful employment. You will act as a coach, advocate, and strategist, providing comprehensive, one-on-one support to a diverse caseload of job seekers. This role involves assessing client needs, developing personalized career action plans, and building robust relationships with local employers to create a bridge between talent and opportunity. If you are driven by seeing others succeed and thrive on making a tangible impact in your community, this is the career for you.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Case Manager
  • HR Assistant / Coordinator
  • Social Work Assistant
  • Recruitment Coordinator

Advancement To:

  • Senior Employment Advisor / Team Lead
  • Workforce Development Program Manager
  • Employer Engagement Specialist
  • Career Center Director

Lateral Moves:

  • Corporate Recruiter
  • HR Generalist
  • University Career Services Coordinator

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Conduct in-depth, holistic assessments with clients to identify their skills, qualifications, interests, and potential barriers to employment, such as housing, childcare, or transportation needs.
  • Develop, monitor, and revise personalized Individual Employment Plans (IEPs) in collaboration with clients, setting clear, realistic, and time-bound goals for their job search.
  • Provide intensive, one-on-one coaching on all facets of job readiness, including crafting compelling resumes and cover letters, mastering interview techniques, and building effective professional networks.
  • Facilitate engaging and informative group workshops and training sessions on critical employability topics like digital literacy, financial planning, workplace communication, and conflict resolution.
  • Proactively build and nurture a strong network of relationships with local employers, HR managers, and hiring decision-makers to generate qualified job leads and placement opportunities.
  • Champion clients to employers by understanding business needs and effectively matching client skills and aspirations to specific job openings, advocating for their potential.
  • Guide clients through the job application and interview process, providing mock interviews, constructive feedback, and moral support to build confidence and performance.
  • Deliver post-placement support and coaching to both the employee and employer for a set period to ensure job retention, address any workplace integration challenges, and foster long-term success.
  • Maintain a deep and current understanding of the local labor market, including in-demand industries, wage expectations, and required skills, to provide relevant and timely advice.
  • Connect clients with wraparound services and partner agencies to address underlying barriers, ensuring a holistic support system is in place for their success.
  • Manage a dynamic caseload of clients, ensuring regular contact, tracking progress against their action plans, and providing continuous motivation and encouragement.
  • Document all client interactions, progress notes, placements, and outcomes meticulously and accurately within a CRM or designated case management system in a timely manner.
  • Assist clients in navigating and accessing vocational training, educational programs, and certification courses that align with their career goals and improve their marketability.
  • Perform outreach activities within the community, attending job fairs and networking events to promote program services and build a pipeline of both clients and employer partners.
  • Mediate and provide support when workplace issues arise post-employment, working with both the client and employer to find a constructive resolution.
  • Prepare clients for the financial transition to work, providing guidance on budgeting, understanding paychecks, and accessing work-related benefits.
  • Research and identify suitable work experience, internship, or volunteer placements that can help clients build their skills, confidence, and professional network.
  • Ensure all service delivery complies with organizational policies, funding requirements, and relevant government regulations, maintaining high standards of quality and ethics.
  • Utilize a variety of career assessment tools and interest inventories to help clients explore and clarify their career direction and occupational choices.
  • Stay abreast of best practices in career counseling, workforce development, and recruitment to continuously improve service delivery and client outcomes.
  • Celebrate client successes and milestones to build momentum and reinforce positive progress throughout their journey to employment.

Secondary Functions

  • Maintain accurate and confidential client files and case notes in the organization's CRM system, ensuring data integrity for reporting purposes.
  • Compile and submit regular performance reports detailing key metrics such as client engagement, job placements, wage data, and retention rates.
  • Collaborate with internal teams and external partner agencies to provide holistic, wraparound support that addresses complex client needs beyond employment.
  • Participate in community outreach events, job fairs, and employer panels to represent the organization and promote its services.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Case Management Software: Proficiency in using CRM and case management systems (e.g., Salesforce, ETO, Apricot) for tracking client progress and reporting.
  • Labor Market Analysis: Ability to research, interpret, and apply Local Labor Market Information (LMI) to guide clients effectively.
  • Resume & Cover Letter Expertise: Advanced knowledge of modern resume formats, ATS optimization, and persuasive cover letter writing techniques.
  • Career Assessment Tools: Familiarity with administering and interpreting career assessment instruments (e.g., Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, Strong Interest Inventory, O*NET).
  • MS Office Suite & Google Workspace: High proficiency in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook for documentation, reporting, and presentations.
  • Job Board Proficiency: Expert-level navigation of online job platforms like LinkedIn, Indeed, and industry-specific job boards for sourcing opportunities.
  • Presentation & Facilitation: Skill in designing and delivering engaging workshops and training sessions to diverse adult audiences.

Soft Skills

  • Empathetic Communication: Exceptional ability to listen actively, build rapport, and communicate with compassion, clarity, and professionalism.
  • Motivational Coaching: A natural ability to inspire, motivate, and empower individuals to overcome obstacles and take ownership of their career path.
  • Resilience & Patience: The capacity to remain positive and persistent while working with clients who face significant and long-term barriers.
  • Problem-Solving & Resourcefulness: A proactive and creative approach to identifying client needs and connecting them with effective solutions and community resources.
  • Relationship Building: Superb interpersonal skills for cultivating and maintaining strong, productive relationships with clients, employers, and community partners.
  • Cultural Competency: A strong awareness of and respect for diversity, with the ability to work effectively with people from all backgrounds and cultures.
  • Organizational & Time Management: Excellent ability to manage a large caseload, prioritize competing demands, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
  • Negotiation & Advocacy: Confidence in advocating for clients' strengths and negotiating employment terms with potential employers.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • A Bachelor’s Degree or a combination of an Associate's Degree and equivalent relevant experience.

Preferred Education:

  • Bachelor's or Master's Degree in a relevant field.
  • Certification such as Certified Workforce Development Professional (CWDP) or Global Career Development Facilitator (GCDF) is a significant asset.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Social Work
  • Human Resources
  • Psychology / Counseling
  • Sociology
  • Public Administration

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 2-5 years of direct experience in career counseling, workforce development, recruitment, case management, or a related human services role.

Preferred:

  • Demonstrated experience managing a caseload and a proven track record of successfully placing individuals into sustainable employment. Experience working with diverse populations and/or individuals with multiple barriers to employment is highly desirable.
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