Employment Counselor

Job Duties

Hired Mission: To nurture purpose and advance economic opportunity for all through individualized employment and career services. Our Vision: Empowered people and families. A prepared workforce. An inclusive economy. Our Values: Put People First. Go the extra mile. Advance Equity. Work Together.

POSITION TITLE: Employment Counselor – Youth Services

REPORTS TO: Program Manager or Senior Program Manager

About Hired

Hired helps people build skills, find meaningful work, and create greater economic stability. We focus on individuals whose opportunities have been affected by historic and systemic inequities, offering individualized coaching, skill-building, basic-needs support, and help navigating community resources.

Our mission is to nurture purpose and advance economic opportunity for all through individualized employment and career services. Our core values—Putting People First, Going the Extra Mile, Advancing Equity, and Working Together—are more than words. They guide every interaction and shape our mission-centered culture:

Putting People First: We center people’s goals, experiences, and needs.

Going the Extra Mile: We follow through and look for ways to make a greater impact.

Advancing Equity: We work to remove barriers and expand access to opportunity.

Working Together: We collaborate with participants, colleagues, and community partners.

Position Description / Primary Objective

Role Summary:

This position will work with disconnected youth ages 14-28-year-old youth who have been juvenile justice involved, are precariously housed/homeless, and have multiple barriers in their lives. The counselor’s role is to assist them in re-engaging in school and/or the workforce. The counselor will assist participants to graduate from high school or obtain a GED and will assist high school graduates in exploring and enrolling in post-secondary or short-term training programs. Work is done at the office, in schools, and in the community. Must be willing to meet youth in locations that are accessible to them.

Responsible for the recruitment, case management, employment counseling and coordination of career and support services for enrolled program participants seeking employment and/or economic self-sufficiency.

Responsible for a designated caseload while meeting all critical performance goals including position performance goals and program contract goals.

The Employment Counselor will commit to a strength based, person centered approach to serve individuals, reduce racial disparities gaps, and achieve program outcome goals.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Outreach/Recruitment

Attend tabling events to promote Hired youth team and recruit new enrollees. These tabling events may take place in the evenings and/or weekends.

Build and maintain relationships with community partners for recruitment and resource sharing opportunities

Develop and foster relationships with various community partners; schools, juvenile justice agencies, housing, mental health, government agencies, etc.

Enrollment / Assessment

Conduct or assist in conducting group or one-on-one program information/overviews for potential participants.

Determine program eligibility of participants through formal and informal inquiry and screening, complete enrollment paperwork per program requirements, conduct or assist in conducting formal enrollment sessions.

Assess and evaluate participant’s physical, social, vocational, educational and employment situation to

determine client strengths and identify barriers.

Administer appropriate assessment and screening tools per program requirements or guidelines.

Help assess effectiveness of program/enrollment processes, assist management in implementing changes or improvements.

Case Management

In collaboration with participants, develop reasonable, realistic short term and long-term goals.

Develop an appropriate plan with specific timelines and measurable goals.

Provide ongoing coaching and employment counseling

Assist participant to identify appropriate training.

Discuss and educate participants on labor market demands and trends.

Discuss career pathways and make appropriate referrals bases on participant interest.

Assist in coordinating internal and external resources and support services by consulting with service providers that may include health related services, services for children, financial assistance, advocacy and legal resources, education, work related needs and housing.

Collaborate and follow through with other employment service providers, county business partners, businesses, community agencies and educational institutions on behalf of participants.

File Management/Reporting

Utilize required databases in case management (Workforce One, Data for Impact, Office 365).

Monitor and report on client progress.

Maintain electronic case files and case file documentation including uploading all required documents in EDS.

Maintain compliance with program contract requirements and program policies.

Maintain participant confidentiality and adhere to Data Privacy laws.

Complete data entry per program requirements including but not limited to all functions in WorkforceOne electronic participant files and regular and ongoing case noting.

Respond to requests for reports and case file reconciliation in a timely manner and take appropriate action.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES / PROGRAM SPECIFIC

Facilitate Work Readiness Training and support internal programs such as Corridors 2 Careers or external programs such as Co-Lab.

Identify appropriate training resources for participants

Keep abreast of county, state and federal program policies, maintain high level of skill and expertise through professional development and continuing education

Collaborate with other agencies and community partners for program activities

Maintain awareness of current labor market information

Meet all program goals as outlined in contract.

Fulfill obligation as mandated reporter.

Attend program-specific trainings for continued growth and responsiveness.

OTHER EXPECTATIONS

Understand and support Hired mission.

Adheres to Hired standard of conduct and policies as stated in the Employee Handbook.

Maintain a strong work ethic that ensures honesty, conscientiousness, and dependability.

Assist, mentor and cooperate with others to encourage professional development.

Adapt and adjust to work environment of change, uncertainty, and ambiguity.

Participate in Hired internal and external activities and groups in addition to essential job functions.

Carry out all job responsibilities in the spirit of equity and inclusion.

Attend cultural competency/sensitivity trainings and events.

Desire to grow and develop intercultural competency.

Minimum Education Required

Minimum Requirements: One (1) to three (3) years of related experience required.

Minimum qualifications may vary based on program need.

Minimum Experience Required

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

One to three years of relevant experience is required. Education may substitute for experience.

Experience and/or desire to work effectively with people from all cultures, socioeconomic backgrounds, educational levels, and career backgrounds.

Skill in written and oral communication.

Skill in counseling/coaching techniques.

Excellent organizational and planning skills.

Effective time management and ability to prioritize work.

Computer proficiency is preferred, including the ability to use or learn Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, Adobe, databases, and other job-related systems.

Shift

First (Day)

Number of Openings

1

Public Transportation Accessible

Yes

Veterans Encouraged to Apply

Yes

Physical Required

No

Drug Test Required

No

Compensation

$25.00 - $25.00 / Hourly

Postal Code

55405

Job Type

Full Time

Place of Work

Hybrid

Requisition ID

112350

Job Benefits

Why work at Hired

Hired offers competitive pay, a hybrid work schedule, and benefits designed to support employees and their households. Benefits include:

Accrue up to three weeks of vacation in first year

Earn up to two weeks of personal and health time off in first year of employment

Three days of floating holidays and 12 observed holidays

Employer Paid Contribution to

Group health coverage and free virtual or in-home visits and more than 500 free prescriptions for enrolled employees and household members

Dental coverage, a Health Savings Account, and Flexible Spending Accounts

Employer-paid long-term disability and life insurance

Minnesota Paid Family and Medical Leave

A 401(k)-retirement plan with 3% employer contributions

A comprehensive Employee Assistance Program

Optional vision and legal insurance

Hired is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit employer; eligible employees may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.

Hired was recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace in 2023, 2025, and 2026.

Hired is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider qualified applicants without regard to age, race, color, religion, marital status, familial status, gender identity, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status. Hired is an LGBTQIA2S+ friendly employer.