State of Connecticut Executive Branch

In the Department of Labor this class is accountable for performing the most complex tasks relating to providing career development counseling services to individuals in need of special assistance.

This is the advanced working level specializing in the functional area of career development counseling. Incumbents in this class provide a full range of in-depth career counseling and assessment services to clients with an emphasis on those having significant barriers to employment or needing in-depth vocational assessment.

Works under the limited supervision of a Labor Department Programs and Services Coordinator or other employee of higher grade.

May lead lower level employees.

Provides employability planning and counseling services to applicants requiring special assistance in achieving occupational potential; elicits and evaluates comprehensive data which have vocational significance including such factors as education, interests, work experience, socio-economic background, and personal characteristics; utilizes manual and computerized assessment tools to identify and analyze aptitudes, interests, transferable skills and other vocational factors; interprets results to evaluate clients occupational strengths and weaknesses; assists clients in developing an employment plan that will facilitate movement toward their identified career goals; refers clients to appropriate training, educational programs or other supportive services; collaborates with other staff members and agencies to implement employability plans and facilitate achievement of vocational goals established with clients; develops training plans and/or contracts and conducts follow up on clients eligible for Trade Readjustment Act (TRA), North Atlantic Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and other special programs; designs, develops, arranges for and conducts employment workshops and seminars to teach and/or inform selected clients with similar needs; follows up on progress of clients and may recommend additional necessary services; maintains required records of case activity; may perform all Job Center basic services as required; performs related duties as required.

Knowledge of counseling and interviewing principles and techniques; knowledge of available supportive services within community; knowledge of Job Service, Unemployment Insurance and Employment and Training functions, policies and procedures; knowledge of occupational testing, interpretation and analysis; knowledge of employment problems among special groups and behavioral problems hindering employment; knowledge of labor market conditions and occupations; interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills; ability to create and maintain records and reports.

Seven (7) years of technical level experience performing Job Service, Unemployment Insurance or Employment and Training functions.

1. One (1) year as a Labor Department Associate Community Services Representative performing basic career development counseling services.  

2a. Completion and attainment of at least two (2) of the following four (4) certifications:

• Certified Professional Résumé Writer (CPRW)
• Certified Employment Interview Professional (CEIP)
• Certified Professional Career Coach (CPCC)
• Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)

OR

2b. Completion of fifteen (15) semester hours in vocational guidance, counseling, psychology, sociology or other courses related to counseling is required.

1. College training in counseling, psychology or a closely related field may be substituted for the General and Special Experience on the basis of (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.

2. A Master's degree in counseling, psychology or a closely related field may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.

Incumbents in this class may be required to speak a foreign language.

Labor Department employees hired on and after April 19, 2002 or who are appointed to P-2 bargaining unit titles on or after that date are eligible for the following class code and compensation level when appointed, promoted or transferred to this class title.

5245 LABOR DEPARTMENT CAREER DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST (SH 20)

Classified/Competitive

(10)-Employment Security

(12)-SOCIAL SERV (P-2)

(2)-Professional

SH 20

This replaces the existing specification for the class of Labor Department Career Development Specialist in Salary Group SH 20 approved effective July 31, 2009. (Revised to modify Special Experience) Action No. 19-011

02/28/2019