Position:
Minnesota Training Partnership (MTP) is seeking a full-time Employment Counselor to provide comprehensive employment assistance to lower-income individuals seeking stable, household-sustaining jobs. Currently this position is sometimes remote, and largely in-office at the United Labor Centre in Minneapolis and other community-based program locations.
Background:
MTP is an experienced and successful provider of workforce development services, particularly those that connect people to, or help them advance in union jobs.
The leadership of the Minnesota AFL-CIO established MTP in November 2017, and the organization was awarded 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status in September 2019. MTP’s affiliation with Minnesota AFL-CIO assists us to leverage strong connections to unions and employers to benefit program participants. The mission of MTP is to advance equity by strengthening the pipeline of underserved populations into stable job opportunities and upgrading incumbent worker skills.
MTP’s employment and training programs are funded by grants from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, Minnesota Department of Children, Youth and Families, City of Minneapolis, Ramsey County, Hennepin County, union partners, and subcontracts with organizations funded by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Position Overview:
The Employment Counselor will play a key role in supporting job seekers seeking employment services at United Labor Centre and other locations. This position is responsible for providing individualized employment counseling, career planning, work readiness training, and job placement support to participants, particularly those facing systemic barriers to employment. The Employment Counselor will build relationships with unions, employers, and community organizations to help participants enter sustainable, household-supporting careers. Frequent travel throughout Minneapolis and the greater Twin Cities metro is required.
Key Responsibilities:
Outreach and Engagement:
· Conduct individual and group outreach to engage people with lower incomes from a wide range of cultural backgrounds in our comprehensive employment services. Provide culturally competent outreach to BIPOC communities, immigrants, English language learners, women, and people experiencing housing instability or unemployment. This will include in-person outreach, and outreach through the telephone, email, and online technology such as Zoom and Teams.
· Determine program eligibility for participants, and assist them to enroll according to the comprehensive, specific and non-negotiable requirements of the program grantor(s).
· Meet program enrollment goals according to pre-determined timelines as outlined in program contracts and internal plans.
· Develop and maintain positive relationships with unions and labor organizations, community-based organizations, educational institutions, employers, and other stakeholders.
· Represent the organization at in-person and online community events and meetings. This includes attendance at community events, public housing locations, workforce centers, food shelves, clinics, libraries, adult education providers, and other sites to recruit participants.
Training Services:
· Train participants in topics related to employability, job search, job applications, resume writing, interviewing skills, digital literacy, work readiness, job retention, household financial management, and related topics. Utilize person-centered, trauma informed training strategies. Training will occur both individually and in group settings utilizing in-person and online formats.
· As applicable to some individuals, connect participants to short-term training at approved training partners as applicable and assist them with enrollment and program completion.
Case Management:
· Assist participants in understanding and accessing the full range of services available at our organization and in the community.
· Use assessments and labor market information to align participant interests with high-demand occupations, including union careers in a wide range of occupational areas and Registered Apprenticeship Programs.
· Provide one-on-one coaching and support to help participants set and achieve career goals.
· Utilizing Workforce One and other tools, develop, monitor, and adapt Individualized Employment Plans to address barriers to employment and facilitate participants' progress in work readiness, job search, and other areas.
· Serve as a one-stop resource for participants' training and employment success during their program participation.
· Utilize a person-centered, relationship-oriented model in the provision of all services.
Resource Coordination:
· Connect participants with relevant community resources, including childcare, transportation, and housing assistance.
· Coordinate with other service providers to ensure participants receive comprehensive support.
· Maintain up-to-date knowledge of available resources and services and develop community relationships to expand resources available to our participants.
Job Placement:
· Call on employers and unions to discover open positions and share these job openings with program participants.
· Identify additional open job opportunities for program participants and distribute them through phone calls, texts, emails, web resources and other means.
· Assist participants to identify open job opportunities for which they are eligible and help them apply.
· Assist program participants with job applications and customized resumes to improve their chances of obtaining job interviews.
· Identify employers likely to hire program participants, establish relationships, and gain permission to send work-ready program participants to these employers as potential hires.
Retention Services:
· Maintain ongoing contact with participants for up to 12 months post-placement to support job retention and advancement.
· Address challenges through proactive check-ins, problem-solving, and referrals to support resources.
· Facilitate continued networking, mentorship, and ongoing skill-building opportunities.
Program Administration:
· Provide services for program enrollment, documentation, and tracking of participant progress in Workforce One.
· Maintain accurate and confidential participant records in electronic databases and secure case files.
· Monitor participant progress and provide regular reports on participant outcomes and program effectiveness.
· Meet program goals related to program retention, training completion, job placement, earnings attainment, job retention and similar areas.
Cultural Competency:
· Provide services that demonstrate sensitivity and respect for the diverse backgrounds and experiences of participants.
· Continuously seek to improve cultural competency and inclusiveness in program delivery.
· Advocate for the needs and interests of participants within the organization and community.
Required skills and experience
a. 2 years of experience with counseling, training, and/or publicly funded workforce development programs or equivalent experience
b. Microsoft Office Suite proficiency
c. Virtual and in-person training experience
d. Strong interpersonal skills to connect with people of all backgrounds
e. Strong organizational skills, demonstrated in part through data management
f. 1 year of successful experience using Workforce One
g. Demonstrated commitment to the mission of Minnesota Training Partnership: to advance equity by strengthening the pipeline of underserved populations into stable job opportunities and upgrading incumbent worker skills
h. Demonstrated commitment to the rights of working people
i. Reliable transportation required
Preferred skills and experience
j. Bachelor’s degree in education, social work, human resources, psychology, or related field; or equivalent experience
k. Training curriculum development/enhancement experience
l. Spanish, Hmong, or Somali fluency, both verbal and written
m. Experience with or knowledge of labor unions and the labor movement
Pay and Benefits:
This is a union position earning $52,000 - $56,000/year DOQ, with a generous benefits package, including 401k, 100% paid premiums for medical/dental/vision, car and cell allowance, paid time off (vacation, health, holidays), and more. Minnesota Training Partnership is an equal opportunity employer.
Interested applicants should send resumes and cover letters to Raul Sanchez at rsanchez@mnaflcio.org.