MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience requirements consist of:

• a master’s degree
• or a bachelor’s degree and one (1) year of experience in professional social work
• or an equivalent combination of education and experience, substituting one (1) year of experience in professional social work for each year of the bachelor’s degree
• or three (3) years of experience as a Family Services Specialist

The Career Development Specialist provides individual career guidance through assessment of participant interests, aptitudes, abilities, and personality characteristics for career planning purposes. The CDS will empower and motivate individuals to gain sustainable employment by creating a plan, fostering accountability, building partnerships and coordinating training and employment activities with participants.

• Provide individual vocational guidance through assessment of participant interests, aptitudes, abilities, and personality characteristics for vocational/ educational planning purposes.
• Conduct interviews with participants to assess participant employment / training status, provide program information and requirements, develop initial Career Plans, provide and explain all appropriate forms and documentation.
• Meet regularly with participants by office visit, phone, remote meetings and face to face home visits to update Career Plans and Schedules, provide career pathway coaching, make any referrals to services as needed, monitor progress, and assist with transportation if necessary.
• Meet with participants to address non-compliance with program requirements if needed.
• Update and maintain participants’ physical and digital files and correspondence; monitor and record progress and actual hours worked in compliance with required work participation hours through regular contacts, and maintaining accurate and detailed records in FACS.
• Act as liaison/coordinator of activities between TANF and other agencies.
• Provide regular support to participants’ who have obtained employment to foster support of job success and retention.

In addition to the essential functions listed above the Career Development Specialist is expected to:

• Have experience in identifying the needs of others, coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills, especially in preparation for obtaining suitable employment.
• Demonstrate tact and a high level of professionalism due to the sensitive nature of the position.
• Possess excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrate the ability to handle difficult situations with respect and courtesy.
• Possess the ability to work effectively with people from diverse cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds.
• Make sound rational decisions and recommendations without bias.
• Demonstrate efficient time management and prioritizes workload daily.
• Participate in various departmental meetings and/or committees.
• Be thoroughly knowledgeable of all TANF guidelines at all times.

Preference may be given to candidate who is bilingual.

If you have questions, please contact DHS.Careers@okdhs.org
OKDHS is a Fair Chance Employer.
This is a position in the Oklahoma Civil Service
Announcement Number: 25-BB159
83010886/JR50354
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