Job Listing

NHEP Career Counselor - AIU

Southern NH Services

Southern New Hampshire Services (SNHS) is a private non-profit organization dedicated to helping people help themselves since 1965. Services are provided to Hillsborough and Rockingham counties and the agency employs over 450 employees.

You are looking for the opportunity to make a difference, find your purpose and love your career. As a part of our team at Southern New Hampshire Services, you’ll be making a direct impact on your community, taking the weight off of the shoulders of your neighbors and creating roadmaps through tough places for those in need. You will be part of real change, seeing lives transformed daily. Find your place with us!

OUR CULTURE & VALUES

We celebrate growth and challenge our team members to develop new skills for career advancement through experiences within our organization.
We value a positive, supportive work environment where teamwork is the foundation for accomplishing our mission of Helping People and Changing Lives.
We believe every person should be awarded every opportunity to succeed equally and that a diverse, inclusive workplace allows our community to thrive.

BENEFITS & PERKS

All eligible employees receive a comprehensive benefits package including:

Access to agency-paid Health, Vision & Dental Insurance
Retirement Plan including company contribution
Life Insurance
Paid agency holidays

To provide case management services to selected client populations to include the provision of activities and services which include: employment, training, education, job preparation, and support services for the New Hampshire Employment Program (NHEP). Client services will be provided either face-to-face and/or via electronic method including telephone, fax, and/or e-mail, consistent with federal and state requirements and program policy. Caseload assignment may include statewide travel and/or visits to other community locations.

Requirements:

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor's degree from an approved college or university with a major study in social work, psychology, education, human services, sociology, counseling, behavioral science or a related field. One (1) year of experience as an ECS Trainee or in social work, counseling, family services, education, staff training, employee development, employment counseling, recruitment, or human resources.

OPTIONAL CONSIDERATION: Associate's degree from an approved college or university with a major study in social work, psychology, education, human services, sociology, counseling, behavioral science or a related field. Three (3) years’ experience in, social work, counseling, family services, education, staff training, workforce development, employment counseling, recruitment, or human resources or a combination of education and experience that demonstrates an ability to fulfill the duties of a Career Counselor.

LICENSE: Possession of a valid New Hampshire driver's license and/or have access to transportation for statewide travel. Willingness to travel to/from DHHS District Offices for coverage assignments as required.

ADDITIONAL SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & ABILITIES: Ability to work as a team member with co-workers. Ability to learn & apply TANF and NHEP procedures, rules and regulations in appropriate circumstances. Ability to assess personal characteristics, physical capacities, education, work background, abilities and interests of participants. Knowledge of the principles and methods of assessment and person-centered counseling. Knowledge of psychological and environmental problems arising in connection with case work. Strong working knowledge of the Whole Family Approach philosophy; ability to demonstrate an understanding/experience of working with low-income populations. Knowledge of the educational and social service agencies available in the geographic area. Knowledge of local demand occupations and key industries in the area. Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing. Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with low-income participants, employers, public and private community agency staff, co-workers, and the general public. Knowledge of basic computer programs such as e-mail and word-processing.

Responsibilities:

Provides individualized, time-sensitive case management services to NHEP clients requesting the Family Violence Option good cause waiver or otherwise experiencing domestic violence issues including: conducting needs assessments, providing program orientations, developing service plans, including a personal safety plan; developing and implementing employability plans; and coordinating referrals to domestic violence community agencies.
Coordinates and provides services to NHEP clients in Level III non-compliance sanction status. Includes contacting clients to assess their intention and ability to comply; informing clients of the consequences for continued non-compliance; providing information concerning the benefits of program compliance; and coordinating case action or on-going services with NHEP Teams. Facilitates participants’ rapid engagement with appropriate community resources to ameliorate or resolve barriers.
Provide time-sensitive crisis intervention services to TANF applicants or recipients who are in crisis and at risk of harming themselves or others, or who are experiencing family safety and security issues. Includes contacting the client, conducting a crisis assessment, providing program information, initiating follow-up communication with the referral source to provide case feedback and recommendations, and coordinating case actions and activities with the NHEP Team and/or the Family Services Specialist as needed.

Interviews, assesses, and evaluates individual aptitudes, interests, abilities, work experiences, education, personality characteristics, and degrees of physical, social, or emotional limitations of assigned NHEP participants to identify individual service needs, strengths, and barriers. Includes administering, scoring, and interpreting standardized tests.
Develops and implements an Employability Plan for each assigned NHEP participant and provides subsequent counseling (up to 5 years) to resolve employment barriers and stabilize family functioning.
Documents and maintains accurate case notes and individual case records to track individual progress and comply with state and federal regulations and policies.
Develops and maintains professional relationships with employers, service providers, educational institutions and community organizations to coordinate services to clients, develop employment opportunities, maximize available resources and promote community understanding. Additionally, acts as an official representative for the Division in coordination activities with domestic violence community agencies.

Identifies needed NHEP policy and procedure changes. Includes integration and application of these changing policies and procedures to maximize services to NHEP participants. Determines individual program compliance that could result in the loss or increase of TANF benefits. Works with participant to resolve issues.

Identifies the operational impacts of automated statewide benefit and service payment systems (New HEIGHTS and NH Bridges) on NHEP, and coordinates with other divisions and bureaus to ensure agency and program priorities and needs are represented and achieved. Includes statewide monitoring of employment and training service usage and resolving billing problems with HEIGHTS and Bridges staff. Requires review of exception reports and exercising override authority to ensure expenditures are accurate and financial risk to the agency is controlled.

Identifies and coordinates required response or actions from program monitoring and/or federal audit findings. Requires review of all aspects of NHEP operations to accurately identify issues and develop preliminary recommendations and corrective action plans to ensure federal participation requirements and service goals are continuously achieved.
- Travels to NHEP Team locations statewide to provide NHEP case management services to clients during times of staff vacancies, heavy workloads and as assigned.

Delivers group and one-on-one employment counseling to NHEP participants and conducts presentations at orientation sessions to inform NHEP participants of program benefits and responsibilities;
Provides NHEP services with a high degree of respect for participants, sensitivity to their circumstances, and in a manner that builds self-esteem and motivation.
Maintains the confidentiality of clients and staff in accordance with NHEP and SNHS policy and procedure.
Exercises reasonable judgment and appropriately applies NHEP policies and procedures to maximize services to participants.
Achieves a minimum TANF Work Participation Rate of 50% at the end of each month, though 55% is the expected performance goal.
Serves as the primary link & facilitator between the local NHEP Team and the local Community Action Program (CAP) services and staff in the service area.
Is knowledgeable about eligibility requirements for other SNHS or Community Action Agency workforce development programs such as the Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act (WIOA) Program as well as other key SNHS and local CAP programs including Fuel Assistance, Head Start, and WIC. Responsible for completing required program referral and application materials (e.g., Fuel Assistance), conducting and/or assisting in needs assessment, cooperating in the WIOA or NHEP Employment Plan process, and completing all other related program processes and paperwork
Attends statewide meetings and staff training sessions as requested by the Bureau of Employment Supports (BES). Advocacy
Abides with all SNHS & DHHS Safety policies and procedures.
Presents a professional and positive image as a representative of SNHS at all times.
Performs all other duties as required by appropriate DHHS and SNHS supervisors.