Career Counselor

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Reporting to the Program Director, the Career Counselor is responsible for providing individual and group vocational guidance services to Midnight Mission program participants and alumni by developing and presenting career related programs; administering career assessment tools; providing individual career planning and counseling; and presenting career-related workshops to clients.. S/He will work closely with Case Managers and the Education Center Manager to assist clients in understanding short and long term career options by assessing client interests, aptitudes, abilities and personality characteristics, and will assist clients in addressing and overcoming social and emotional issues through counseling. In concert with the Education Center Manager, will develop and maintain effective working relationships with representatives of employment agencies, businesses, local, state, and federal government, educational institutions, charitable and service organizations and other sources of employment opportunities, in order to maximize job placement prospects for client population.

PRIMARY DUTIES:

The Career Counselor is:

• An essential member of the Midnight Mission team assigned to the Women’s Program.
• In charge of managing the daily operations with the setting of the program.
• A community liaison ensuring networking occurs with the service provider community.

ESSENTIAL DUITES

PRIMARY DUTIES

• Provide career and educational assessments, through formal instruments and discussion. Ascertain needs, interests, skills, values, strengths and personality, to identify appropriate career objectives.
• Assist with career exploration by providing tools (videos, websites, informational interviews, etc.) for clients to research potential professional avenues.
• Assist clients with all aspects of the job search inducing: identifying job openings, creating resumes and cover letters, setting up job site profiles, conducting mock interviews, serve as a professional reference, and assisting with networking and salary negotiations.
• Maintain a list of career exploration, job search, and assessment resources.
• Support job retention by proactively addressing client issues (harassment, transportation, work attire, difficulty with colleagues/supervisors, wage garnishment, etc.).
• Develop and maintain relationships with local businesses, such as Amazon, Allied Universal and SoFi Stadium, to ensure TMM clients receive preferred status when applying to open positions.
• Identify job fairs and post flyers throughout building to promote attendance.
• Provide career and academic counseling and assistance to TMM alumni and HomeLight Family Living clients.
• Identify low-cost or free vocational training, such as L.A. Rise, Allied Universal, Chrysalis, WorkSource Centers, L.A. City College, Abram Friedman Occupational Center, etc., and assist clients with the enrollment process, financial aid, transportation, etc.
• Assess on-site educational software options to determine best fit for clients
• Serve as on-site facility for schools, such as CCAPP
• Assist current and former TMM staff with creating/updating resumes and financial aid research.

SECONDARY DUTIES

• Take and distribute meeting minutes for 1201 Alumni Club and Programs department board meetings.
• Assist clients with printing/faxing/emailing documents; placing phone calls; preparing mail, etc.
• Create email, online Social Security, EDD, and community college student accounts
• Update HMIS with approximately 100 client progress notes per month.
• Write daily shift report, recording activities on a 30-minute basis for an 8-hour shift
• Prepare a monthly statistical chart detailing number of services performed, such as job placements, school enrollments, orientations, unduplicated clients, counseling sessions, etc.
• Attend case management meetings.
• Correspond by phone, text, zoom and email with advocates, departmental supervisors, mission staff, employers and schools
• Other duties as assigned.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• High school diploma or GED required.
• BA or MA degrees are preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in social services, direct engagement and services to homeless population and persons with addiction/co-occurring disorders in a program or treatment environment.
• Experience with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Ability to apply the concepts of safety and emergency services in the workplace. Ability to use good professional judgment. Detail oriented. Ability to work independently, with minimal direct supervision.
• Excellent organizational, prioritization, and interpersonal communication skills. Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and meet critical deadlines. Ability to meet short and long-term goals and project deadlines.
• Respect for the confidentiality of all communications required within job duties, including participant/employee records and documents, and electronic transmissions.
• Experience with working with multicultural/diverse populations and multidisciplinary teams.
• Must have a neat, clean and professional appearance.
• Must be able to work independently.
• Exceptional administrative and organizational skills.
• Must understand and embrace the vision of the Agency.

ADA REQUIREMENTS

Must be able to lift 25 pounds, sit at desk for long periods, and bend and squat occasionally; must be able to sit at desk and operate computer and related peripherals.