Employment Specialist

The Career Transition and Training Team at Larimer County Economic and Workforce Development (LCEWD) is hiring a Career Transition Counselor/Case Manager to join a skilled, collaborative, and service-oriented team. The primary function of this position is to support the Colorado Works Subsidized Training and Employment Program (CW STEP), which connects individuals facing significant barriers to employment with paid internship opportunities and career support. The position works directly with eligible participants referred through the Department of Human Services, providing career coaching, resume development, interview preparation, job search assistance, and ongoing support throughout and following their internship experience. In addition to CW STEP, this position supports eligible adults through Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) programs, including Fast Track services, apprenticeships, training opportunities, and employment support. Through these programs, the Career Transition Counselor/Case Manager helps individuals build skills, overcome barriers, and connect to sustainable employment and career pathways. LCEWD carefully recruits staff to build on our existing culture of collaboration, respect, inclusiveness, and innovation. We value all types of diversity and are passionate about serving people, businesses, and our community. We also value the journey and recognize skills can be demonstrated through a variety of professional and personal experiences. LCEWD believes in having purpose and balance in life and we support employee flexibility! Learn more on our website about how we serve our community: What you’ll be doing: Assists and guides customers with identifying their occupation of choice by using a variety of online career exploration tools and resources. Works with a diverse customer base to identify any potential skill gaps that may be preventing them from entering or re-entering the workforce. Develops a detailed plan in partnership with customers (including any skill upgrades or training needs) that will guide the customer to quality employment. Assist customers with completing internal scholarship or internship applications in order to fund their re-skill, upskill, or other training plans; advocates for the approval of these scholarships from the Career Transition and Training team. Provides active support and guidance on job search strategies and assistance with resume, cover letter, and interviewing. Collaborates with community partner organizations to coordinate the specific supports that will enable customers to participate in program services, training, work-based learning, apprenticeship and job searching activities. Maintains periodic follow-up contact with customers and provides further assistance when needed to ensure continued customer employment. Applies standard operating procedures set by LCEWD and the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) for the digital tracking, reporting, and maintenance of customer activities and outcomes. What we’re looking for: Apply skills in coaching, teaching, and/or facilitation to build a strong working rapport with customers. Effectively connect and counsel customers using a hybrid environment of in-person meetings and virtual platforms. Operate a "fast track" service model to efficiently move ready-to-work individuals into short-term work-based learning opportunities, accelerated training pathways and apprenticeships. Adapt and respond quickly to the varying levels of resources, access, and/or digital literacy of their customers. Work with a range of participants who represent broad and varying socio-economic backgrounds, skills, education, and interests. Have knowledge of career exploration practices and tools, labor market information, and local area employment trends. Demonstrate empathy, compassion, and effective conflict resolution skills with customers, co-workers, colleagues, and partners. Understand and stay current on the fundamentals and trends of employment counseling i.e. resume, interviewing, and networking. All candidates will be screened for the following required minimum qualifications. Any candidate who does not meet all of the qualifications listed as required will be eliminated from the process. Two (2) years of experience in a related field or in the performance of similar duties and responsibilities is required. High School Diploma or GED, required. Benefits Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits FSA or HSA (depending on the medical plan) Short- and Long-Term Disability Employee Assistance Program Basic Life/AD&D Insurance Accident and Critical Illness Insurance Retirement Plan 401(a) with employer match 457(b) Deferred Compensation Generous paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, and holidays Want to dive into the details? Check out Larimer County's Benefits. Schedule The typical schedule for this position is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This is a limited-term position through July 2027 and is primarily based at our office located at 200 W. Oak Street, Fort Collins, CO 80521. Hybrid remote work is available in accordance with Larimer County policies and operational needs. Other information An offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of required pre-employment checks or testing. All application components must be submitted by 11:59 PM MT on the closing date listed. Larimer County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment in all employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity or expression, and sexual orientation), national origin, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, military status, or any other characteristic protected by law or regulation. #J-18808-Ljbffr