Self- Sufficiency Specialist II - Employment Services Worker (Albemarle)

Job Description

Job Summary/Objective:

Performs responsible, equitable, and professional casework and administrative work in an inclusive team environment. Uses an asset-based approach to assist agency clients with employment and related support services. Works with clients to identify educational, training, psychological, social, medical, financial and other needs and strengths. Services may include assistance with job preparedness, job finding, community work experience projects, vocational rehabilitation through the coordination of Benefit Programs and referrals to local employment services programs with the goal of reaching self-sufficiency

Essential Functions:

• Participates as a member of the Self-Sufficiency team. Attends and participates in unit/team/staff meetings and other meetings as required;
• Explains the employment services program to prospective VIEW clients;
• Conducts comprehensive assessments of VIEW client's employment history, employment goals, and employment barriers and works with the VIEW client to prepare and implement an activity and service plan;
• Assesses cognitive, emotional and behavioral functioning of VIEW clients and their families and incorporates these in the case planning;
• Conducts group and individual assessments for new VIEW referrals;
• Refers to appropriate resources to assess the role of drug/alcohol abuse, and family violence on the VIEW client and their families;
• Intervenes for the rehabilitation of chemically dependent and assist families at risk implement strategies appropriate for their protection;
• Coordinates with day care staff for VIEW and transitional clients;
• Supervises job search activities of the registrant, individually and or in groups including job readiness activities;
• Provides a variety of supportive services and employment counseling to promote self-sufficiency; Counsels VIEW participants regarding, job search techniques, job readiness activities, job retention counseling, problem solving, budgeting, parenting, debt counseling, family planning, health issues, basic car maintenance in addition to breaking the welfare cycle;
• Assigns clients to the job search/job readiness/work experiences or other program components, encouraging and emphasizing additional education and/or training opportunities which are in keeping with their employability plan;
• Reassesses clients at prescribed intervals to ensure that they are making satisfactory progress or to monitor their work status;
• Maintains case files with appropriate forms, as prescribed in policy, making timely and accurate entries into State Department of Social Services Information System to ensure appropriate statistical data; Maintains contact with community agencies including the Department of Rehabilitative Services, Region Ten, Worksource Enterprises, PVCC and Piedmont Works, JAUNT, CATEC, Welfare-to-work programs, IRC, employers, etc.;
• May engage in public speaking and other media methods to promote the overall Employment Services Program;
• May develop work sites for work experience participants in public or private non-profit agencies, maintains contact and monitor work site placements;
• Shares all needed information with the eligibility and service staff to ensure compliance with all programs;
• Utilizes computer technology for a variety of purposes and provides data entry;

• May receive customer complaints; informs and supports supervisor and/or senior employment services worker in resolution of complaints;
• Performs related work as required;
• May assist Benefits unit when VIEW caseloads are low;

Competency: Knowledge/ Skills/Abilities:

• Working knowledge of practices of public social service organizations; employment services; State, Local and Federal guidelines;
• Knowledge of employment counseling techniques, work site development and placement techniques and assessment techniques;
• Knowledge of casework strategies that are effective in promoting self-sufficiency;
• General knowledge of social, economic and health problems; general knowledge of social institutions and methods of problem solving and the helping process;
• General knowledge of individual and group behavior;
• Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work; ability to comprehend complex rules, policies and regulations; ability to respect individual differences and promote client independence
• Strong interviewing skills and ability to determine client's employment history, goals and barriers to employability;
• Ability to communicate and establish effective working relationships with clients, co-workers and other professionals and technical staff, social agencies and the general public;
• Proficient written communication skills and ability to prepare reports and maintain records;
• Skills in operation of personal computer and ability to learn and utilize multiple applications;

Required Education and Experience:

• High school diploma supplemented with additional training and related work experience, or equivalent combination of training and experience;
• Workers in this position are required to drive and they must meet the eligibility requirements of the
  County's safe driver policy.

Preferred Qualifications/Certifications:

• Bachelor's degree;
• Direct eligibility experience;
• Experience working effectively and successfully within a team;
• Experience working with populations with limited English proficiency.

Physical and Mental Requirements:

• Works with the public; works typically in an office setting and/or telework environment;
• Work is performed with relative independence;
• May involve frequent walking or standing, and light lifting;
• Regular operation of office equipment and occasional operation of vehicles;
• Daily contact with clients, families, and the community.

Remote Work:
This position is eligible for remote work. All County staff must maintain residence within the Commonwealth
of Virginia.

Albemarle County Core Values:

Albemarle County holds its employees to the highest standards in fulfilling the County's Vision and Mission. We believe in excellence in public service through

Community: We expect diversity, equity and inclusion to be integrated into how we live our mission.


Integrity: We value our customers and co-workers by always providing honest and fair treatment.

Innovation: We embrace creativity and positive change.


Stewardship: We honor our role as stewards of the public trust by managing our natural, human, and financial resources respectfully and responsibly.

Learning: We encourage and support lifelong learning and personal and professional growth

**PLEASE INCLUDE COVER LETTER, RESUME AND THREE REFERENCES

Contact Information:

For questions related to this posting, please contact: Kiersten Trader


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