Founded in 2004, Urban Upbound formely known as East River Development Alliance (ERDA) is a community-led and community-based economic development organization with office locations in Long Island City, Far Rockaway and Astoria. Urban Upbound is dedicated to transforming and improving public housing neighborhoods and helping residents who live there achieve economic stability and mobility.

Urban Upbound is currently seeking a Workforce Development Career Counselor to join the Workforce Development Team located in the Far Rockaway office. The Workforce Development Counselor is expected to assist in the execution of a proven national workforce development model for Far Rockaway residents and be an active member in outreach to the Far Rockaway community. The WFD Career Counselor will be responsible for following cohorts of job-seekers through intake, facilitating job readiness workshops and peer groups, job-placement assistance, and extended case management including income support and support services referrals.

The Career Counselor will work with the WFD team in a collaborative environment providing on-going career support counseling to under and unemployed clients to overcome significant barriers to employment.
The Career Counselor will work with the WFD Team to ensure that the program is on track to meet and exceed all stated outcomes including recruitment, training, job placement (15/month), income supports, and retention milestones.

Responsibilities include:

• Facilitate job-readiness workshops (topics include: cover letter and resume writing, mock interviewing, office professionalism and career planning) and create and implement specialized peer group curriculum.

• Create individualized action plans for job-seeking clients that emphasize career goals and long and short-term career planning as well as necessary support services.

Familiarity with the job market, career ladder opportunities and the ability to work with clients through good instincts on the job search process.
• Facilitate ongoing on-site assistance through Urban Upbound’s Public Benefits initiative to ensure clients are receiving all public benefits and work supports to which they are entitled.
• Follow up with service partners to connect clients with access to resources they client needs to overcome barriers to employment (services typically include ESL classes, GED preparation, hard skills training programs etc).
• Manage client referrals and track progress of clients working with partner organizations.
• Refine and track all assessment outcomes using a database system (ETO and Resume Video/Outcomes).
• Maintain post-placement contact with clients and provide job retention support with an emphasis on career advancement.

Cultivate and Develop relationships with Far Rockaway based Community Organizations to inform of Urban Upbound Services and to assist clients with job placement and Career Development Services.

Qualifications:

• Must be comfortable with public speaking and able to work with diverse groups of people.

• Bachelor’s Degree in social work or related field required.
• 3 years of Workforce Development/Career Counseling experience.
• Ability to work with clients facing a multitude of barriers to employment and commitment to social justice.
• Excellent time-management skills and strong verbal and written communication skills

Salary is based on experience.

How to apply

Qualified candidates should email a Resume and Cover Letter to Kyrstle Jones at kjones@urbanupbound.org with subject heading “Career Counselor.”