Counselor, Youth Development, Social Work

Overview

Catholic Charities of Buffalo is seeking a full-time Employment Counselor for our Workforce and Education department located at 525 Washington Street, Buffalo, NY 14203. This position is responsible for determining participant's employability through the evaluation of strengths, skills and barriers in support of the Erie County Work Experience Program. Will provide job development services, resume development, job application assistance, community linkage, and advocacy work.

Catholic Charities is non-profit human services agency that strives to empower individuals, children, and families across the eight counties of Western New York. For more than 100 years, Catholic Charities of Buffalo has provided HOPE to individuals and families of all faiths, backgrounds, and circumstances. As the most comprehensive provider of human services in Western New York, Catholic Charities delivers wide-ranging programs to address systemic poverty, sudden financial crisis, hunger, behavioral health, workforce readiness, family stability, legal immigration and resettlement, and help for older adults.

As a trauma-informed agency, we strive to support the total wellbeing of clients and employees. Catholic Charities prioritizes wellness and diversity through various committees such as: CARE (Compassion, Acceptance, Respect for Everyone) Committee to create an inclusive environment where every individual feels seen, heard, and valued;
Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) Committee to lead agency efforts in creating and maintaining a trauma-informed workplace;
Wellbeing Committee to empower staff to reach their full potential through personal wellness and community support; and the Safety Committee to maintain a physically and psychologically safe and welcoming environment for all.

Job Responsibilities

• Ability to engage with diverse clientele experiencing the impact of poverty, short- and long-term multi-problem situations and urgent needs

• Comfortable providing case management services and making appropriate referrals to both internal and external referral sources

• Expand and maintain a job bank for direct hire and / or Work Experience job sites

• Assess and evaluate participants job performance and provide constructive feedback

• Work closely with local employers to match students with available employment opportunities

• Learn and utilize program specific data tracking system (OSOS) as well as internal database

• Collaborate with Educators and Case Managers and provide employment related support to students/participants.

• Utilize various methods, including standardized tests and websites such as CAREER ZONE to assess a student's employability, strengths, and barriers to employment

• Present to schools, career programs, education departments and community organizations on program incentives and eligibility

• Formulate a work plan for participants to develop short- and long-term career goals

• Facilitate ongoing job readiness classes to program participants with a focus on employability skills which include areas such as communication on the job, interviewing skills, local and national employability outlook, dress for employment, how to determine what job is best for you, conflict resolution, and other areas

• Assists clients with job placement, including job-search, resume/cover letter development, labor market analysis and employment contacts

• Maintains case files as directed to meet customer follow-up and program evaluation needs

• Meet quantitative expectations established by the funding sources and agency

• Engage in professional development and in-service trainings

• Perform other duties as assigned

• Comply with the Agency's Compliance Program, Code of Ethics, laws, regulations, and ethical standards applicable to your job duties

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in social work, school or career counseling, guidance, education, or related human services field.

• Must have reliable transportation for job requirements.

• Knowledge and experience with Vocational and Employment assessment.

• Experience working with at-risk youth.

• Experience working with older youth and adult populations.

• Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook) and general computer equipment; able to troubleshoot basic technical issues and navigate software tools confidently.

• Strong personal and interpersonal communication skills.

• Excellent organizational skills.

• The ability to keep concise records.

• A sensitivity to the development stages and well-being of participants.

• The ability to work with diverse individuals and groups.

• Able to accept supervision and work well both independently and in teams.

• Excellent problem-solving skills to analyze issues and create action plans.

• The ability to adapt to changing work priorities and maintain flexible working hours.

• The ability to establish and maintain constructive relationships is important.

What We Offer

• 35 hours per week

• 13 paid holidays

• 25 PTO days per year (Pro-rated based on first year start date)

• Comprehensive health, dental & vision offerings for…