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Job Purpose:

To improve job and career options for our region’s workers and jobseekers through an integrated jobs driven public system; to provide and coordinate vocational services to individuals which will assist them in obtaining and succeeding in their career paths. 

Qualifications:

The position of Career Planner is a professional management position and requires a person capable of conforming to the high standards of behavior expected of all staff.  Excellent work habits, including attendance and punctuality, are required.  The customers/clients under his/her supervision follow the same.

Education:  Bachelor’s degree

Experience:  Prefer one year experience in providing vocational services to individuals with barriers to employment.  

Computer proficiency: experience and knowledge of standard computer programs including word processing, spreadsheets, databases and the internet

Clearances: Must be able to obtain acceptable results for required background checks, including Act 151 Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance, Pennsylvania Criminal History Check and Department of Human Services- FBI Fingerprints.  

Other:  Must have a valid driver’s license, with a clean driving record and dependable transportation, which can be used in the course of his/her job.  Must have an operating telephone, so that he/she may be contacted quickly by Goodwill when necessary.

Skills, Abilities, Duties and Responsibilities:

• Knowledge of current best practices in the delivery of workforce development services and acceptance of Goodwill’s Philosophy Concerning People Served
• Sound professional judgment, adequate to formulate realistic program plans and counseling participants regarding work related issues
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking skills and the ability to develop written business correspondence
• Ability to relate effectively to others, including co-workers, agency participants, supervisors, and community contacts in groups and individually
• Thorough knowledge and acceptance of the principles of customer service
• Vision and hearing corrected to within normal limits
• Ability to perform light duty or medium duty work, including occasional standing, for up to 8 hours each day
• Ability to perform occasional bending, stooping, stretching, pushing, and pulling
• Ability to lift and carry objects weighing up to 20 lbs. occasionally, (material handling equipment can be used to minimize effort expended, when practical)
• Presents workshops and service information during group or individual orientations, both on and off site.
• Provides basic career services to the public through outreach, career resource room and other venues.
• Provides individualized career services to those who are suitable and eligible. 
• Determines eligibility, suitability, and maintains proper documentation for same, both paper and on the record of system (CWDS).
• Provides orientations, outreach, recruitment, intakes and establishes a plan of service (Individual Employment Plan) with each registered participant, which will assist the participant in achieving his/her goals.  Coordinates services with other staff, funding sources, and others who have a significant role in the individual's life. Develops and implements activities in accordance with needs and service plan. Provides follow up services as required. 
• Provides initial assessment of skill levels, including literacy, numeracy, including aptitudes and interests and supportive service needs.
• Provides more in-depth assessment of the skill levels and service needs for those registered in the Individualized Services or Youth Services.
• Provides job search and placement assistance, and individual career counseling including provision of information on the in-demand industry sectors and occupations and provision of information on non-traditional employment.
• Provides group and/or individual counseling and mentoring.
• Provides career planning, case management, and short-term pre-vocational services, including development of learning skills, communication skills, interviewing skills, punctuality, personal maintenance skills, and professional conduct to prepare individuals for unsubsidized employment or training. 
• Provides connection to community resources and partners for outreach, recruitment, and for the benefit of the participant.
• Provides labor market and workforce employment statistical information, such as job vacancy listings, job skills needed for the vacant jobs, and information relating to local occupations in demand and the earnings, skills requirements, and opportunities for advancement for those jobs.
• Provides workforce preparation activities that help an individual acquire a combination of academic skills, critical thinking skills, digital literacy skills, and self-management skills, including competencies in utilizing resources, using information, working with others, understanding systems, and obtaining skills necessary for successful transition into and completion of postsecondary education, or training, or employment.
• Provides financial literacy services.
• Provides assistance or referral for English language acquisition and integrated education and training programs.
• Prepares, justifies, and submits initial Individual Training Account packages. Collects attendance and grades to justify tuition invoicing.
• For the youth participant ensures that the required service elements are provided either through direct provision of the service or referral. 
• These include: 
•  summer and year round employment opportunities, 
•  pre-apprenticeship programs 
•  internships and job shadowing, and
• on-the-job training opportunities; 
•  tutoring, study skills training, drop-out prevention or recovery services that lead to secondary school diploma or equivalency, or a post secondary credential; 
•  alternative secondary school  or drop out recovery services; 
•  paid and unpaid work experiences that have academic and occupational education as a component of the work experience which may include: 
•  occupational skill training; 
• education offered concurrently with and in the same context as workforce preparation activities and training for a specific occupation; 
• leadership development opportunities; 
• supportive services; 
• adult mentoring for 12 months;
•  follow-up services for a minimum of 12 months after completion of participation; 
•  comprehensive guidance and counseling, which may include drug and alcohol; 
• financial literacy education; 
• entrepreneurial skills training; 
• services that provide labor market and employment information about in-demand industry sectors or occupations available in the local area, such career awareness, career counseling, and career exploration services, and
•  activities that help youth prepare for and transition to post secondary education and training.
• Ensures area of responsibility complies with regulations and requirements.  Ensures development and implementation of activities in accordance with grant/contract requirements.
• Responsible for maintaining files in accordance with regulations/policies/procedures.
• Enters data into the system of record (CWDS) in a timely and accurate manner.  Maintains tracking data bases, and spreadsheets.
• Responsible for programs meeting or exceeding performance standards set by the referring agency.  
• Obtains and maintains a thorough knowledge of designated service area, keeping current on all TEG’L’s, TENS, etc.  Attends all required training.
• Provides required documentation and reporting to appropriate staff, agency, and funding sources for all services and activities in his/her area of responsibility.
• Note:  The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skills, abilities and duties required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.