Careers

First Open Position:

Minnesota Training Partnership (MTP) is seeking a full-time Dislocated Worker Career Counselor for employment and training services.  This position is partially remote, and partially in-office in Brooklyn Park 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, Ramsey County, Hennepin County, union partners, and subcontracts with organizations funded by the U.S. Department of Labor.

Position Overview: 

The Dislocated Worker Career Counselor will play a crucial role in supporting participants in Minnesota Training Partnership’s workforce development programs. Our Career Counselors provide a wide range of services to people enrolled across all growing industries.  This position involves providing personalized assistance to culturally diverse, unemployed individuals to help them navigate and succeed as they return to the workplace. The Career Counselor will engage closely with participants, unions and labor organizations, employer partners, community-based organizations, educational institutions, and program staff to ensure that participants receive guidance, resources, and support they need to be successful. Frequent travel throughout the Twin Cities metro, including multiple destinations per day, is required. 

Key Responsibilities:

Outreach and Engagement:

·  Conduct individual and group outreach to engage unemployed people from a wide range of cultural backgrounds via in-person, telephone, text, 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 grantors.

·  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.

Training Services:

·  Train participants in topics related to work readiness and employability, both individually and in group settings, utilizing in-person and online formats.

·  Connect participants to technical skilled 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 in our workforce development programs and our organization.

·  Initiate communication and document one-on-one coaching and support, helping participants set and achieve career goals.

·  Provide relevant assessments to guide participants into appropriate career paths.

·  Develop, monitor, and adapt individualized plans to address barriers to employment and facilitate participants’ progress in training, 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 food support, childcare, transportation, and housing assistance.

·  Coordinate internally with SNAP E&T services to ensure participants receive comprehensive support.

·  Maintain up-to-date knowledge of available resources and services.  Develop community relationships to expand resources available to our participants.

Program Administration:

·  Provide services for program enrollment, documentation, training, support services, and tracking of participant progress.

·  Maintain accurate and confidential participant records in electronic databases and secure case files.

·  Monitor participant progress and provide regular case notes and reports on participant outcomes and program effectiveness.

·  Meet program goals related to program retention, training completion, job placement, earnings attainment, and job retention within program timeline and budget.

·  Ensure adherence to Federal, State, and County/Local regulations and reporting requirements.

·  Other duties as required to meet program goals and organizational needs.

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

·  Three years of experience with career counseling, training, and/or publicly funded workforce development programs or equivalent experience

·  One year experience as a Dislocated Worker counselor

·  Microsoft Office Suite proficiency

·  Virtual and in-person group facilitation experience 

·  Strong interpersonal skills to connect with people of all backgrounds

·  Strong organizational skills, demonstrated in part through data management

·  One year of successful experience using Workforce One or similar workforce development databases

·  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

·  Demonstrated commitment to the rights of working people

·  Reliable transportation required

Preferred skills and experience

·  Bachelor’s degree in education, social work, human resources, psychology, or related field; or equivalent experience 

·  Knowledge of industry recognized training certifications

·  Spanish, Somali, or Hmong fluency, both verbal and written

·  Experience with or knowledge of labor unions and the labor movement

Pay and Benefits:

This is a union position earning $50,000 - $55,000/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. 

SECOND OPEN POSITION: 

Minnesota Training Partnership (MTP) is seeking a full-time Program Navigator for career training and employment assistance programs.  This position is partially remote, and partially in-office in Saint Paul 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 Human Services, Ramsey County, Hennepin County, union partners, and subcontracts with organizations funded by the U.S. Department of Labor.

Position Overview: 

The Program Navigator will play a crucial role in supporting participants in Minnesota Training Partnership’s workforce development programs. Our Program Navigators provide a wide range of services to people enrolled in employment programs in manufacturing and construction, health care, hospitality, and other growing industries.  This position involves providing personalized assistance to culturally diverse, lower-income individuals to help them navigate and succeed in these programs. The Program Navigator will work closely with participants, unions and labor organizations, employer partners, community-based organizations, educational institutions, and program staff to ensure that participants receive the guidance, resources, and support they need to be successful. Frequent travel throughout the Twin Cities metro, including multiple destinations per day, 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 organization’s workforce development programs.  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 grantors.

·  Meet program enrollment goals according to pre-determined timelines as outlined in program contracts.  

·  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.

Training Services:

·  Train participants in topics related to employability, work readiness, job retention, household financial management, and related topics.  Training will occur both individually and in group settings utilizing in-person and online formats.

·  Connect participants to 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 in our workforce development programs and our organization.

·  Provide one-on-one coaching and support to help participants set and achieve career goals.

·  Develop, monitor, and adapt individualized plans to address barriers to employment and facilitate participants’ progress in training, 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:

·  Identify 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.

·  Call on employers and unions to discover open positions and share these job openings with program participants.

Program Administration:

·  Provide services for program enrollment, documentation, and tracking of participant progress.

·  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 $56,000 - $61,000/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.