Employment Counselor

Employment Counselor

FT / PT Status – Full-Time
Benefits Eligibility – This position is eligible for a full benefits package.
Salary – $21.41 - $37.86 Hourly Wage
Remote Work / In-Office – In-Office / On-Site

Recruiter – Catherine Spielberg | [email protected] | 801-526-4333
Application Deadline – 9/27/2026*

*This job posting may close at any time after the minimum advertising period of three (3) business days has passed, should a sufficient applicant pool be received. Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

Key Responsibilities

Are you a proactive person who loves helping others? The Refugee Services Office is looking for an experienced Employment Counselor to join their team! This position delivers a broad range of services to assist case managed customers, unemployed and underemployed job seekers, as well as the general public 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 along with 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. Some positions involve outreach to community partners and/or customer home visits.

Employment Counselors will be trained to:

• 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).
• Provide career coaching with the ultimate goal of assisting customers in finding employment and identifying a career path that leads to self sufficiency 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.

This position is based in the Wasatch Front South Service Area and will be located at Refugee Services Office.

Qualifications

Transferable Soft Skills:

• 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. 
• Capable of working in an environment between balancing program policies and compassion 

Hard Skills (after receiving formal training):

• Provide family focused career counseling and proactively engage and motivate customers.
• Conduct interviews and assessments utilizing motivational interviewing techniques, in order to collect information and establish a supportive relationship. 
• Possess skills needed in order 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.

About the Role

Location –
150 North 1950 West
Salt Lake City, Utah, 84115
United States
Background Check Required – You must successfully pass a criminal history check.
Drug Test Required – No
Schedule Code – B - Competitive Career Service

Why You Should Join Our Team
In Utah, we believe hard work is important, but balance is essential. Finding work/life balance is a vital element to our culture. To find out more about WHY Utah, click here. Other benefits may include:

• Job Stability: Enjoy the security and reliability of employment within a well-established organization.
• Career Growth: Develop valuable skills and gain opportunities for leadership within a large organization. 
• Meaningful Work: Contribute to an important service that benefits the community and supports organizational goals. 
• Supportive Work Environment: Be part of a team that values cooperation, strong work ethics, and mutual support.

The Agency
We 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 several statewide initiatives. These include intergenerational poverty, homelessness, affordable housing, supporting refugees, helping rural communities, serving veterans and individuals with disabilities, and getting Utahns trained and back to work. To learn more about Workforce Services, click here.

EEO Statement
The State of Utah is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. For accommodations, please contact (801) 957-9390.