Counselor​/Migrant and Seasonal Farmworker Outreach Worker

Overview

This position delivers a broad range of services to assist case managed customers, unemployed and underemployed job seekers, the general public including migrant and seasonal farm workers and their families. In meeting with customers, you would help to resolve barriers and increase customers skills, in order for them to obtain and maintain employment and education that leads to self-sufficiency. Barriers may include such things as homelessness, mental and physical disabilities, domestic violence and substance abuse.

Services are focused on individual and family needs and may be provided one-on-one or in group settings. This position involves outreach to migrant and seasonal farm workers.

• Conducts outreach to migrant and seasonal farm workers, to provide information on farm worker rights, offer services available through Workforce Services and partner agencies, report any working or living conditions concerns, and assist with accessing services.
• Maintain records of outreach contact.
• Partner with farm worker organizations.
• Provide career, occupational and educational counseling to empower customers to increase their income and break the cycle of poverty.
• Assess customers and their families to identify barriers to self-sufficiency, employment, training and income goals; and to provide the necessary resources and support to resolve the barriers.
• Utilize motivational interviewing techniques to complete assessments and evaluations to gain pertinent information related to goal planning and barrier resolution and to create a supportive environment.
• Develop employment plans and goals with activities leading to achieving goals and/or work readiness, as well as monitoring and evaluating employment plan activities and progress.
• Utilize labor market information, local resources, referral to community partners and employers to assist customers in meeting their goals.
• Assess needs and educate customers about DWS programs, policies, and services and help them access temporary assistance programs (Food Stamps, Financial, Medicaid, Child Care and Unemployment Insurance).
• Conduct home visits when needed to establish relationships, increase rapport, problem solve, engage or re-engage the customer.
• Assist customers with the ultimate goal of employment by assisting with resume creation, networking, mock interviewing and job searching with technology.
• Ensure program compliance and appropriate use of public resources.
• Understand and implement program specific policies, procedures, case management techniques, career counseling, available Division resources, as well as community partner resources.
• Provide employment retention support and resources.

• Must be fluent in Spanish.
• This position is a split position and will require part of the time spent at an Employment Center as part of the Connection Team and the other time conducting outreach to migrant and seasonal farm workers.
• You will be required to perform duties at an Employment Center closest to where you live and travel to conduct outreach to migrant and seasonal farm workers.

• Empathy and compassion for others and possesses a desire to assist customers who are in difficult situations.
• The ability to present information clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Exceptional customer service skills and ability to assist people in a manner which shows sensitivity, tact and professionalism, without prejudice or bias.
• Possesses interpersonal skills including active listening, ability to build trusting relationships, show mutual respect and mindfulness of others
• Able to work independently.
• Capable of working in an environment between balancing program policies and compassion.
• Provide family focused career counseling and proactively engage and motivate customers.
• Conduct interviews and assessments utilizing motivational interviewing techniques, to collect information and establish a supportive relationship.
• Possess skills needed to problem solve and identify creative solutions that lead to successful outcomes.
• Implement best practices for mentoring and coaching customers.
• Understanding in how to interpret and apply programmatic policy and procedures appropriately
• Maintain and manage sensitive and confidential information in a professional and discrete manner.
• Defuse and resolve complaints/conflicts with angry customers in crisis.
• Is from migrant and seasonal farm worker backgrounds or has work experience in farm worker activities.

The mission of Workforce Services is to strengthen Utah’s communities by connecting the workforce to new opportunities and providing services to individuals and families in need. Today, more than 2,200 Workforce Services employees assist individuals in preparing for and finding jobs, meeting workforce needs of Utah businesses, administering temporary assistance, and providing economic data and analysis. Through a collaborative approach, the department has served millions of Utahns and has become a leader on…