Career Development Educator (53107)

Position Summary:

The person in this position will provide one-on-one guidance and counseling to clients to assist in career planning, education, apprenticeships, and trainings.  This person will also provide clients with an overview of available workforce development resources, assess individuals’ suitability for different occupations and help prepare them for specific occupations.  This person will work with clients to develop a comprehensive worker profile and identify skill levels, including but not limited to literacy, good communication, organization, and analytical skills. This person will also assess aptitudes and abilities identifying skill strengths and needs and identify any additional support services needed. Other duties may be assigned as needed.

Essential Job Functions:

- Assist clients in setting short-term and long-term goals to develop individualized career plans.

- Assist clients using career mapping tools to create clear paths for career advancement.

- Inform the client of in-demand careers that provide a livable wage and align with client goals and desires.

- Specialized career counseling will be provided to help clients evaluate their interests, skills, and abilities, uncover career interests, and develop realistic career goals.

- Connect individuals to educational programs, financial aid resources, academic support services and agencies to aid in career planning and development.

- Administer assessments based on skills, knowledge, interests, and personality traits.

- Coordinates tours of educational institutions and training programs.

- Coordinate participation in programs that train and improve clients’ skills and knowledge.

- Assist clients in communication and conflict management using assessments and trainings based on client individual personality and behavioral assessments.

- Assess and evaluate individuals with disabilities for participation in Vocational Rehabilitation Services

- Introduce individuals interested in entrepreneurship resources for assistance in building small business that thrive in the local economy.

- Assist clients in developing an Employment Treatment plan.

- Provide input into client’s treatment service need and disposition.

- Build networks with educational and training programs, local agencies, resources, and employers.

Qualifications

Essential Qualifications:

- 1+ year experience in a similar capacity; experience working with Veterans in a substance abuse or mental health setting preferred.

- Familiar with standard concepts, practices and procedures within the vocational counseling field.

- Ability to work collaboratively with others in a manner that is pleasant and professional.

- Ability to work well in a team environment.

- Ability to exercise good judgment and discretion.

- Ability to operate a computer and complete documents in Microsoft Word program formats or the ability to learn.

- Ability to respond as needed to crisis situations in an efficient manner.

- Ability to complete work tasks within scheduled work hours.

- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

- Willing to seek out new work projects and contribute ideas and efforts to the constant improvement of WestCare GulfCoast-Florida services.

- During your tenure with WestCare there may be new requirements, including, but not limited to vaccinations that are issued by local, State, Federal, and/or Funders that WestCare may have to comply with. Should this occur Human Resources or appropriate personnel will inform you.

Education:

- Bachelor’s degree in vocational counseling or related field ( or HS/GED plus equivalent experience in a similar position) preferred.  Will accept person with equivalent related experience and skills.

Working Conditions:

- Work is performed primarily in a professional, office setting.

- Regular attendance is required.  Working overtime is required and essential to perform job duties at times.

Essential Physical and Mental Demands of the Job

The employee must be able to perform the following essential duties and activities with or without accommodation:

Physical Demands:

- Requires mobility and physical activity: Having an adequate range of body motion and mobility to work in an office, residential, or outdoor environment including standing and walking (even and uneven surfaces), sitting for extended periods of time, bending, twisting, reaching, balancing, lifting and carrying of up to 30 pounds.  Use of computer and telephone systems is required which includes coordination of eye and hand, and fine manipulation by the hands (typing, writing, and working with files).  Requires the ability to defend oneself and clients in physically abusive situations through the use of approved physical de-escalation techniques.

- Requires talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word.  Talking is required to impart oral information to employees, clients, patients, and the public, and in those activities in which the employee is required to convey detailed or important spoken instructions to others accurately, loudly, or quickly.

- Requires hearing: Hearing is required to receive and communicate detailed information through oral communication.

- Requires seeing: Clarity of vision at 20 inches or less and at distance. This factor is required to complete paperwork for many of the employee’s essential job functions and to observe client behavior and activities in and out of the facility.

- The normal work routine involves no exposure to human blood, body fluids or tissues.  However, exposure or potential exposure may be required as a condition of employment. Appropriate personal protective equipment will be readily available to every employee.

Mental Demands:

- Requires the ability to collect and analyze complex numerical and written data and verbal information to reach logical conclusions.

- Requires the ability to work and cooperate with clients, co-workers, managers, the public and employees at all levels in order to exchange ideas, information, instructions and opinions.

- Requires the ability to work under stress and in emotionally charged settings.

- The ability to defend oneself and clients in mentally/verbally abusive situations through the use of approved mental/verbal de-escalation techniques.