Employment Guidance Counselor 1 Jobs

The current vacancy is in the Workforce Solutions department. The eligibility list created by this vacancy may be used to hire other vacancies in the department or County.
Training for this position can be provided upon hire. This is a great opportunity for recent graduates looking to enter into the Human Services field with guaranteed career advancement and introduction to public sector work!
The hiring salary range for external candidates is $53,254.97-$55,459.05, with future earning potential after one year. Internal candidates’ salaries will be set according to the Personnel Rules
This position will provide employment guidance counseling to individuals who are at-risk, low-income youth, public assistance, and social service recipients, economically disadvantaged, dislocated workers, and/or unemployed, in order to assist them in obtaining a diploma or GED and/or obtaining or maintaining employment or improving their employment status; and to perform related duties as assigned. (This is the entry-level in the class series. Work assignments provide the opportunity to refine the knowledge and skills developed through prior experience and education in order to function effectively at the intermediate performance level.)
Flexible Workplace
This position is identified under the designation of ‘flex work eligible’, meaning that the employee can formally opt to be in-office full-time or work a flex schedule in which at least two days per week are performed in the office and other days can be performed in a remote-first environment. Regardless of selection, the position carries expectations regarding on-site responsibilities and will require schedule flexibility beyond the minimum expectations set forth in the county’s flexible workplace policy. To view Ramsey County’s Flexible Workplace policy, go to Flexible Workplace policy .
Covid 19
All job offers are conditioned on the candidate being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 with a vaccine authorized for emergency use or FDA-approved. You will be required to show proof of vaccination on or before your first day of employment and complete a form certifying that you are vaccinated. Religious and medical exemptions or reasonable accommodations will be considered upon request as required by applicable law.
If an internal candidate is selected, salary will be set in accordance with the personnel rules (i.e., promotion, transfer, or voluntary reduction).

• Provide vocational counseling, to include: building job seeking and job-keeping skills; goal setting; helping with the preparation of resumes; providing support for behavioral changes; assistance in solving problems and building self-esteem; crisis counseling and intervention to meet emergency needs for food, housing, legal assistance, pregnancy counseling, physical safety and financial management; and making referrals for refugees to appropriate community service providers and culturally-sensitive programs.
• Maintain case records and documentation of :eligibility assessments; management information system tracking; employability development plans and participant contracts; service referrals; and expenditures the counselor has authorized for vocational training, support services and employment related equipment and expenses.
• Identify barriers to completing their education or obtaining employment including physical, psychological, educational, cultural, familial, attitudinal, and chemical abuse problems; recommend, schedule, and coordinate services for program participants with community agencies and with medical and social service professionals to address identified needs.
• Represent the department at appeal hearings in relation to services provided to program participants. Contact employers to solicit participation in state and federal jobs programs and provide recommendations regarding the organization and development of such programs.
• Provide vocational information on education and/or employment options, working conditions, training programs, financial aid opportunities, refugee services, and current labor market conditions to program participants, community agencies, and other County service providers.
• Develop and maintain relationships with other service professionals and agencies, including those providing services to refugees, in order to facilitate individuals' access to community resources and to evaluate effectiveness of these programs.
• Identify financial aid programs available to individuals and advise them of the effects of such programs on TANF, Food Stamps, and child care and housing subsidies.
• Provide follow-up and support services to individuals and employers by: monitoring participants' progress in implementing their employability plan and reaching established education and vocational goals; resolving employment problems through on-going counseling sessions with clients, and continued counselor contact with schools, employers, and other service providers; and if necessary, initiating welfare sanctions for participants who are not in compliance.
• Interview potential participants in order to determine eligibility and assess employment and educational status prospects with respect to the individual's interests, abilities, education, experience, aptitudes, and needs.
• Develop individualized employability plans for program participants that address employment and education barriers and structure their activities toward their education and employment goals.
• Research job market conditions and educational resources to develop vocational guidance resource materials by: evaluating school placement statistics; researching news reports, professional journals, and Dept. of Labor publications; visiting educational institutions and interviewing school personnel and staff at the Dept. of Education; and conferring with professionals and participants from other employment programs.
• Determine need for specific achievement, aptitude, interest, or psychological testing; refer program participants for testing or administers tests; analyze and interpret test results; and discuss results with participants as part of their overall vocational and educational assessment.

Education: Bachelor's Degree in a social science or related field, or equivalent.
Experience: None.
Substitution: Additional years of experience, in a social science or related field, may substitute for each year of education lacking, on a year for year basis.

Screening/Examination Process: The examination process will consist of the following section weighted as indicated:
Training & Experience Rating ...................................Wt. 100%
Examination/Screening Process:
The examination for Employment Guidance Counselor 1 will consist of a training and experience rating, comprised of the questions in the attached supplemental questionnaire. The rating on this supplemental questionnaire will depend on the answers provided. A candidate must pass the training and experience rating in order to be advanced in the process.
Eligible List: The names of all applicants who pass the examination/screening process and file a properly completed application shall be placed on the eligible list for employment as an Employment Guidance Counselor 1. This list will be certified to the appointing authority which may use this list to fill a vacancy. Candidates will remain on the list for one month or until hired, whichever occurs first. A notice will be sent to applicants at the time the eligible list is posted, informing them that the list has been posted and their rank on the list.
Veteran's Preference: This is a classified position requiring an open, competitive selection process. Veteran's Preference points will be applied after a candidate passes the examination process. Applicants who are eligible for veteran's preference should update their veteran's DD214, and other supporting documents, and submit them as an attachment at the time of application.
Criminal Background Checks: All employment offers are conditioned upon the applicant passing a criminal background check. Convictions are not an automatic bar to employment. Each case is considered on its individual merits and the type of work sought. However, making false statements or withholding information will cause you to be barred from employment, or removed from employment.
E-Verify Participation:
Ramsey County participates in the federal E-Verify program. This means that Ramsey County will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. If the Government cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, Ramsey County is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact DHS and/or the SSA before taking adverse action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers may not use E-Verify to pre-screen job applicants and may not limit or influence the choice of documents you present for use on the Form I-9.
Equal Opportunity Employer: Ramsey County provides equal access to employment, programs and services without regard to race, color, creed, religion, age, sex (except when sex is a Bona Fide Occupational Qualification), disability, marital status, sexual orientation or gender identity, public assistance or national origin.
You will need to print off this posting and also answer the supplemental questions associated with this exam and submit them if you complete a paper application.
For further information regarding this posting, please contact Kaitlyn Crowley at [email protected] or by phone at (651) 266-2710.

Ramsey County provides a wide range of employee benefits to support health and well-being, and work/life balance. Benefits eligibility can vary depending on union status/contract language.

• Disability leave.
  • Long-term disability - Coverage replaces 40% of your lost income after six months of disability.
  • Short-term disability - Optional short-term disability coverage provides 60% income replacement.
• Medical and dental insurance.
  • Medical and dental insurance is available through HealthPartners for single or family coverage. The county covers 92.5% of single health insurance coverage, 76.8% of family health insurance coverage, and 50% of both single and family dental insurance coverage.
  • The Healthy Benefits program is available to help lower office visit copays for employees and dependents each year.
  • A health care savings plan and health flexible spending accounts are also available to maximize tax savings on health expenses.
• Wellness incentive allowing you to convert unused sick time to vacation or pay.
• New employees become vested after five years. For the Police and Fire union, employees are vested after 10 years.
• Sick hours accrued at a rate of three weeks per year, which can be used for medical and dental care; injury or illness for you, your spouse or children; the birth or adoption of a child (up to 80 hours) or the death of a family member (up to 40 hours).
• Employee well-being.
  • Employee assistance program, including telephone counseling, financial counseling, rideshare benefits, etc.
  • Wellness programming.
  • Flexible spending account for dependent care.
  • Flexible work policy with hybrid work options for eligible positions.
• Transit and parking.
  • Metropass program for a discounted monthly bus pass for commuters, saving employees $34.50 per month.
  • Flexible spending accounts for parking/transportation expenses.
• Long-term disability - Coverage replaces 40% of your lost income after six months of disability.
• The Healthy Benefits program is available to help lower office visit copays for employees and dependents each year.
• Professional development opportunities through the Learning & Development Center.
• Retirement benefits.
  • Pension - The county contributes at least 7.5% of your salary to your pension, depending on bargaining unit. Unlike other retirement investments, pension payments are a lifetime benefit once you start collecting payments.
  • New employees become vested after five years. For the Police and Fire union, employees are vested after 10 years.
  • Deferred compensation - 457(b) account with employer match.
• Employee assistance program, including telephone counseling, financial counseling, rideshare benefits, etc.
• Career development.
  • Tuition reimbursement, up to $4,000 per year.
  • Professional development opportunities through the Learning & Development Center.
  • County employment qualifies as a public service organization for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
  • Employee resource groups – help employees build connections through common bonds with colleagues.
• Paid time off.
  • Vacation hours, accrued based on years of service, ranging from 12 to 25 days per year (pro-rated for part-time employees).
  • 11 scheduled holidays and one floating holiday.
  • Up to three weeks of 100% paid parental leave, plus additional use of sick time as noted below.
  • Sick hours accrued at a rate of three weeks per year, which can be used for medical and dental care; injury or illness for you, your spouse or children; the birth or adoption of a child (up to 80 hours) or the death of a family member (up to 40 hours).
  • Wellness incentive allowing you to convert unused sick time to vacation or pay.
• Wellness programming.
• Up to three weeks of 100% paid parental leave, plus additional use of sick time as noted below.
• Pension - The county contributes at least 7.5% of your salary to your pension, depending on bargaining unit. Unlike other retirement investments, pension payments are a lifetime benefit once you start collecting payments.
• Flexible spending accounts for parking/transportation expenses.
• County employment qualifies as a public service organization for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
• Medical and dental insurance is available through HealthPartners for single or family coverage. The county covers 92.5% of single health insurance coverage, 76.8% of family health insurance coverage, and 50% of both single and family dental insurance coverage.
• 11 scheduled holidays and one floating holiday.
• Metropass program for a discounted monthly bus pass for commuters, saving employees $34.50 per month.
• A health care savings plan and health flexible spending accounts are also available to maximize tax savings on health expenses.
• Flexible work policy with hybrid work options for eligible positions.
• Short-term disability - Optional short-term disability coverage provides 60% income replacement.
• Tuition reimbursement, up to $4,000 per year.
• Vacation hours, accrued based on years of service, ranging from 12 to 25 days per year (pro-rated for part-time employees).
• Deferred compensation - 457(b) account with employer match.
• Employee resource groups – help employees build connections through common bonds with colleagues.
• Flexible spending account for dependent care.