Career Counselor - Higher Ed. jobs in Harlingen, TX

Job Summary:

The Choices Career Coach is responsible for providing services to individuals who receive Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) and customers from the Universal Population.  Services include eligibility verification, case management, interviews and assessments, and progress monitoring and tracking.  The Career Coach will also coordinate supportive services and conduct follow-up to ensure that necessary supports are in place, including conducting home visits.  The goal for customers served is employment at or above the self-sufficiency wage with job retention tracked for at least one year after exiting the program.

Essential Functions:

• Provide program information to potential TANF customers and verify eligibility for program services.
• Conduct interviews to determine client needs.
• Develop and track employment plans and provide case management for each client.
• Coordinate supportive services such as child care, transportation assistance, work-related supports.
• Conduct follow-up with clients and supportive services providers.
• Monitor client activity progress and take timely action when client circumstances preclude achievement of goal.
• Prepare, submit and monitor case management documentation throughout the duration of client participation in the program, ensuring that data is entered into appropriate data systems in a timely manner.  Must maintain client data confidentiality
• Work closely with other staff to ensure clients’ employment goals are met.
• May facilitate group orientations.

Other Functions:

• Travel to attend meetings, training, outreach and other activities.
• Able to react to change productively and handle other essential tasks as assigned.

Qualifications and Requirements:

Baccalaureate degree (preferred), plus a minimum one year in case management or customer service or may be substituted with 60 credit hours with 3 years full time qualifying experience. Must have excellent oral and written communication skills.  Must have own transportation to use in the performance of duties.  Maintaining a professional appearance and attire is required.

Preferred Skills and experience:

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office software with ability to data enter and extract information from a computer system and a wide variety of written materials such as forms, resource lists, and case records in an accurate and timely manner.
• Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills, demonstrated customer service skills, and familiarity with the communities being served, with knowledge and understanding of local needs and resources.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish).

Certificates and Licenses Required:

A valid Texas motor vehicle operator’s license and reliable means of transportation

Physical Demands:

• Must be able to read, write, and communicate both verbally and in written form to express and exchange ideas.
• While performing the responsibilities of this job, the employee must be able to access all components of work station and other office equipment.
• Frequent typing, writing, bending and twisting.
• Must be able to lift up to 10 pounds.

Work Environment:

Includes both a typical office environment, with minimal exposure to excessive noise or adverse environmental issues, and local travel, including exposure to heat, cold, inclement weather conditions, and occasional environmental hazards.