Full Engagement Worker - Taunton

The Department of Transitional Assistance is seeking dynamic qualified and service driven individuals for the position of Full Engagement Worker (FEW). The selected candidate will perform job development activities including cultivating partnerships with community-based job skills, training, and education programs. Through these partnerships, the FEW is responsible for increasing available work program opportunities to ensure that all eligible individuals receiving services through DTA can access employment opportunities. The work will be client-centered, family focused and includes identifying individualized training and employment goals and creating strategies to overcome obstacles to reaching those goals.
Anticipated start date is January 14, 2024. Positions will eventually be hybrid; however selected candidates may be expected to participate in on site sessions during their initial training.
DTA attracts people passionate about public service, who love to work in a fast-paced environment, and who are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):

• Facilitate engagement in individualized employment related activities that empower families to increase their economic mobility through meaningful career pathways.
• Work with individuals to build upon past job experience and skill sets and determine appropriate referrals to employment, training and support services.
• Engage with individuals and families in individual and/or group activities including orientations, goal setting, and enrollment in Pathways to Work activities.
• Collaborate with case managers, contract managers and workforce partners to build a local system that supports strong referrals and co-case management.
• Authorize and reauthorize Employment Service Program (ESP) services and complete assessment referrals.
• Maintain current employment and training resources in an eligibility system (BEACON).
• Attend local workforce development meetings in partnership with the Mass Hire Career Centers and other community-based employment and training providers.
• Perform Community Service site development activities to ensure that community service sites are integrated into the service delivery networks of DTA's local offices.
• Interview work program required clients, refer them to community service sites and reassesses the progress of those clients who have been participating in community service.
• Assist staff by providing ongoing technical assistance and support, sanction mediation and intervention, and referrals to employment support services.
• Participate in monthly Statewide FEW meetings to review best practices and strategize to develop systemic solutions to increase client engagement and participation in employment related activities.
• Travel is required.

Required Qualifications:

• Demonstrated knowledge of referral sources available for providing services to clients, including available community support and social services resources for example, community resources available to increase employability of DTA clients.
• Understanding of the social and economic impact of race and poverty and the resulting effects on education and employment.
• Ability to establish and maintain harmonious working relationships in diverse environments; working as a member of a team that includes clients, functioning successfully in group situations, establishing rapport with persons from different ethnic, cultural and/or economic backgrounds, interacting with and demonstrating empathy to people who are under physical and/or emotional stress and communicating with persons who have a disability.
• Experience in and the use of the principles and methods of case management, coaching and employment placement.
• Capacity to read, interpret, apply, and explain the complex provisions of the laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, specifications, standards, and guidelines governing agency operations, and assigned unit activities as well as Federal, State, and local social services programs, laws, statutes and regulations that affect eligibility for financial assistance.
• Proficient in gathering and assembling items of information in accordance with established procedures.
• Strong ability to acquire information on local labor market conditions and trends for a variety of occupations common to the public and private sectors.
• Advanced knowledge and skill in the use of the principles and methods of employment counseling and employment placement.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing, such as, giving written and oral instructions in a precise, understandable manner, accurately recording information provided orally; and writing concisely with a clear expression of thoughts and the development of ideas in a logical sequence.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated knowledge of career and educational counseling theories.
• Proven ability to problem solve and motivate clients to increase economic mobility while removing and resolving barriers to employment.
• Familiarity with and ability to communicate clearly through multiple methods including in person small and large groups, over the phone, through email, text and digital platforms.
• Understanding of the continuing changes in laws, rules, regulations, programs, policies, procedures, specifications, standards and guidelines governing agency operations and assigned unit activities.
• Proficient with use of Microsoft Office products including Word, Teams, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook
• Experience of ongoing modifications in the types and uses of agency forms.
• Given the population served, bilingual or multilingual fluency.

Agency Mission:
The Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) is the state agency responsible for administering public assistance programs to low-income residents of the Commonwealth. DTA is committed to providing a high level of service to all those in need. The mission of the Department is to assist and empower low-income individuals and families to meet their basic needs, improve their quality of life, and achieve long term economic self-sufficiency. DTA serves one out of every seven people in Massachusetts - including working families, children, elders, and people with disabilities. Our services include food and nutritional assistance, economic assistance, and employment supports.
Learn more about our services and programs visit: www.mass.gov/dta.
Pre-Offer Process:
A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori.
Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division's Hiring Guidelines.
Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth's website.
If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete the ADA Reasonable Accommodation Online Request Form .
For questions, please contact the Office of Human Resources at 1-800-510-4122 and select option #2.
Qualifications:
First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.
MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:
REQUIRED WORK EXPERIENCE: At least four years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional experience in social work or social casework, claims adjudication, job placement, recruitment, employment counseling, vocational or rehabilitation counseling, credit investigation, educational counseling, legal advocacy, or legal counseling.
SUBSTITUTIONS:
- A Bachelor's or higher degree may be substituted for two years of the required experience on the basis of two years of education for one year of experience.
- One year of education equals 30 semester hours. Education toward a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.
LICENSES: Based on assignment, travel may be required. Those employees who elect to use a motor vehicle for travel must have a current and valid Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Operator's license or the equivalent from another state.
Comprehensive Benefits
When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.
Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!
An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.