Career Specialist (5 openings)

*EXPERIENCE IN EMPLOYMENT/CAREER SERVICES AND/OR JOB PLACEMENT NEEDED*
(Candidates will be assigned to one each of five service centers listed, but will be required to work at other local service centers listed from time to time, as needed)
*MEDICAL/DENTAL/VISION AND PAID TIME OFF + after 90 days*

The Career Specialist is responsible for assisting with all phases of facilitated and mediated services in accordance with federal, state, and local procedures at the Michigan Works Service Centers to match job seekers with employment opportunities. This includes providing consistent, expert advice and professional support for job seekers and employers in utilizing on-line, Center, and program resources, assisting customers in developing professional electronic resumes, assisting with application completion, conducting on-line job or resume searches and presenting various career development workshops, program orientations and seminars. The Career Specialist is also responsible for providing timely and accurate information regarding the services available to customers, maintaining accurate records in accordance with local, state, federal and unit regulations, and maintaining updated information and resources in the centers.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:
*Immediately greets each customer in a friendly, professional manner as he/she enters the Center, determining customer's needs/reason for visit, providing the appropriate level of service to ensure completion of customer's objectives, exceeding customer's expectations, and contributing towards contracted performance goals.

*Completes data entry of UI/ES verification into the One Stop Management Information System daily to ensure registration of all Unemployment Agency claimants is reported in a timely manner.

*Instructs customers in the effective use of all Center resources, assisting with the development of high quality electronic (Michigan's Talent Bank) resumes, and providing technical assistance in utilizing the various on-line job banks, career development sites, tutorials, software and office equipment.

*Maintains current knowledge of program regulations and policies, local labor market trends, workforce development resources, career development techniques, job search skills, new and developing resources, training opportunities, self-help materials, educational catalogs, financial aid information and assessment tools.

*Conducts informative, interesting, and motivational program orientations, service information sessions, and various job search skills topic sessions on site and at various locations including community agencies, schools, partner agencies and community events.

*Conducts various career, job search, and employment related seminars and workshops including resume development, interview skills, career exploration, vocational awareness, labor market information, job search skills techniques, cover letter and application preparation, career/education preparation, career development and growth, on-line job searching, personal motivation, effective work habits, salary negotiation, career preparation and others to provide customers with the skills necessary to obtain employment and foster career growth.

*Provides assessment services utilizing the approved instruments and interpreting results in accordance with the Employment Service regulations.

*Assesses customer's skills, education, work experience, and matches them to appropriate employment opportunities available through Center resources to contribute towards contracted performance standards.

*Maintains a pool of available, active candidates organized by skill sets to execute immediate referrals to new job openings. Utilizes e-mail system to notify customers of employment opportunities, job fairs, employer application and hiring events and other center activities as available and appropriate.

*Guides customers to appropriate Service Center staff or partner staff to ensure timely and accurate program information and/or assistance to meet each customer's needs.

*Maintains resource material, newspapers, brochures, fliers, and postings up to date in the Center and researching and gathering new and updated information to benefit Center customers and employers.

*Documents all registrations and services in accordance with local, state, federal, and unit regulations including timely and accurate data entry into the state OS/MIS system and maintenance of required hard copy documentation.

*Guides customers in operating various job search, tutorial, career exploration, and self-assessment tools available in the Center including assistance in establishing on-line e-mail accounts necessary for the purposes of job seeking.

*Assists employers in accessing the Talent and Job Banks and other center and partner program resources to meet their hiring needs and obtain appropriate information. Refers employers to Center staff and other available resources to ensure that job openings are filled.

*Assists with data entry of customer/employer information, program activities and services, and case notes into the state One Stop Management Information System and compiling necessary back-up records for preparing unit reports within assigned time lines.

*Produces documents by utilizing word processing, desktop publishing, and spreadsheet applications and executes mass mailings for special event invitations, announcements, routine customer follow-up, and seminar/workshop/orientation hand-outs.

*Assists with daily on-line verification of Talent Bank registration for the Unemployment Agency per established procedure, including maintaining hard-copy documentation of records transmitted.

*Maintains updated information on the various programs and services available at the SEMCA Centers and the local community to educate and guide customers to existing resources.

EDUCATIONAL AND EXPERIENTIAL REQUIREMENTS:

*Bachelor's Degree in Psychology, Social Work, Teaching, or a Human Service related degree is preferred but can be substituted with one year related experience for each year of college. One (1) year experience working with customers or clients, preferably in a placement, educational, human service or career development capacity.

*The proven ability to articulate thoughts clearly on paper with proper grammar, punctuation and the ability to apply language rules. Excellent public speaking skills.

*Ability to conduct seminars on a variety of topics and teach job-search skills to diverse groups of customers and present program information to job seekers, community agencies, and employers.

*Ability to apply techniques used in resume and cover letter writing and effectively guide customers in the process.

*Required to possess excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to maintain professional, friendly relationships with all visitors to the Michigan Works Service Centers including job seekers, partner staff, employers and program administrators and monitors.

*Demonstrated proficiency in operating computerized software including word processing, desktop publishing, spreadsheet and Internet applications.

*Excellent written and spoken communication skills; ability to communicate effectively with diverse customer base.