Hybrid Job Center Engagement Representative presso City of Charlottesville, VA

About the Department

The Job Center Engagement Representative performs responsible administrative and paraprofessional work in the support and assistance of members of the community with employment counseling, job search, client engagement, other employment preparation services, as well as performing outreach at community meetings and various workforce related events. Works under the general direction of and reports to the Employment and Financial Opportunity Manager.

To learn more about the City's Downtown Job Center and its operations, please visit: https://www.charlottesville.gov/209/Downtown-Job-Center

The preferred hiring range for this position is between $20.66 - $24.87 an hour ($42,972.80 - $51,729.60 Annually). Starting offer is based on applicable education, experience, and internal equity. This is a full-time, non-exempt, position which provides excellent benefits including 13 paid holidays plus 1 floating holiday, paid vacation and sick leave, health insurance options with employer contribution, employer-paid life insurance, City's retirement options, gym membership reimbursement, tuition reimbursement, and continuing education/training opportunities.

• For a general summary of benefits offered by the City, please click the 'benefits' tab on this posting, or visit https://www.charlottesville.gov/1047/Employee-Benefits.
• The City of Charlottesville manages its own retirement system which offers both a defined benefit and a defined contribution option.  While the City does not participate in VRS, the City has a Portability Agreement with VRS and there are certain provisions that must be met. For questions pertaining to the Portability Agreement, please contact the City's Benefits Administrator at 434-970-3462.

Position Duties

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations will be considered to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The essential functions of the job are not limited to those listed in the job description. The City retains the discretion to add to or change the duties of the position at any time.

• Works as part of a team to provide employment seeking related services to community members. 
• Meets, greets, receives customers and visitors to the Downtown Job Center via phone, email, and in-person; takes messages and/or directs appropriately.
• Meets directly with Job Center clients to provide one-on-one assistance in employment counseling, job search, interview skills, resume building, and client job application submission and other related activities; ensuring completeness.
• Provides appropriate, accurate, and timely communication regarding the Job Center, its services and programs, community employment opportunities, as well as supportive services from external or partner agencies.
• Assists in outreach to individuals or groups to provide information on topics such as resume writing, interview preparation, or other skills related to career obtainment; follow-up with, or to encourage clients to utilize applicable relevant services.
• Engages with local partner agencies and other City departments to provide referrals for clients to reduce identified barriers to job obtainment.
• May contact clients, colleagues, employers, and/or partner agencies to discuss ways to improve services and meet needs more effectively.
• Attends and represents the City at community meetings, outreach events, or partner agency meetings, which align with the services and programs of the Job Center.
• Supports the establishment of new community partner relationships and maintaining existing community partner relationships.
• Operates computer, applicable software programs, and other standard office equipment to assist clients with employment-related services.
• Maintains accurate and up-to-date client and office records, files, activities, and services; providing applicable reports when required.
• Assists in preparing, maintaining, and compiling case management records or reports.
• Responsible for appropriate use and maintenance of City equipment, tools and other resources, including work time. 
• Regular and reliable attendance.

Other Duties

• Performs additional duties to support operational requirements as apparent or assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience: Candidates may qualify by demonstrating the required knowledge and skills outlined for the job through experience(s) other than formal education.

• High School diploma or GED AND at least 6 months of relevant experience related to direct customer services, clerical and/or administrative support, including experience working with a socially and economically diverse population.

• 2 or more years of relevant experience related to direct customer services, clerical and/or administrative support, including experience working with a socially and economically diverse population.

• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered in lieu of the specific requirements listed above.

Preferred:

• Associate degree from an accredited college or institution in business administration, management, human resources, or another related field.
• Work experience related to workforce development, human resources, job seeking services or other related client services focused program.

Certifications/Licenses/Other Requirements:

• May require valid Virginia driver’s license and acceptable driving record.
• Required to successfully pass a pre-employment background check and pre-employment drug screen.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics: 
Job Knowledge

• Basic knowledge and understanding of applicable programs, activities, services and standard administrative procedures of the Job Center and the City.

Reading

• Intermediate: ability to read and understand written materials such as multi-step instruction manuals, newspapers, magazines, journals, and reference materials.

Writing

• Basic: ability to write simple letters, paragraphs and sentences containing subject, verb, and object, and/or series of numbers, names, and addresses.

Math

• Basic: ability to perform the four basic arithmetic operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication, division.

Communication Skills

• Intermediate: Establish and maintain cooperative, professional, and effective working relationships with peers, management, clients, the general public, and other agencies. Strong interpersonal skills with an emphasis on active listening and asking questions to gather information.   Skills in building valuable relationships with agencies and organizations.  Ability to maintain confidentiality and communicate with tact and diplomacy.  Ability to engage in respectful and sometimes difficult conversations with members of the community and/or to determine when to refer concerns or inquiries to supervisor. May include interactions that involve stressful, negative situations requiring significant tact and the ability to diffuse aggressive behavior and reach consensus. 

Independence and Decision-Making

• Requires General Direction: normally performs the job by following general instructions or established standard operating procedures and/or policies.  There is some discretion when making decisions among a few easily identifiable choices of the appropriate procedure or policy to apply to duties.  Performance is reviewed frequently.

Technical Skills

• Skilled: comprehensive, practical knowledge of a technical field with use of analytical judgment and decision-making abilities appropriate to the assigned and apparent job responsibilities. Knowledge and skills in the use of Microsoft Office applications, such as Outlook, Word, and Excel, and the ability to work with electronic case files and databases.

Fiscal Responsibilities

• No budgetary/fiscal responsibilities.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• No responsibility for direction or supervision of others.

Other Characteristics

• Excellent organizational, time management, and customer service skills.
• Frequent change of tasks.
• Performing multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Ability to effectively prioritize tasks to meet multiple deadlines.
• Self-motivated, resourceful, and inclusive.
• Maintains confidentiality and works effectively with sensitive information, issues, and records. 
• May require dealing with angry, frustrated and/or upset individuals.
• May require some evening and/or weekend hours.

Other Qualifications

Physical Demands:

• Light Work:  Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.
• Must be able to remain in a stationary position most of the time.
• Must constantly operate a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine and computer printer. Must constantly move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.
• Must be able to communicate information and ideas so others will understand.  Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
• Ability to observe details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Machines, Tools, Equipment, Software and Hardware:

• Typically requires use of standard office equipment and telephone, and related software and hardware; and any other equipment as appropriate or as assigned.  

Work Environment:

• Work is performed in an office environment where there may be exposure to computer screen for extended periods of time, monitor glare and dust.    
• The noise level is typically moderate.

Candidarsi ora