Vocational Counselor, Long Branch Thrives… at Interfaith… · Silver…

Position Title: Lead Vocational Counselor, Long Branch Thrives (ENOUGH Initiative)

Department: Vocational Services

Reports to: Director of Vocational Services Program

Employment Status: Full Time

Work Location: Long Branch Community Hub, Silver Spring, Maryland, with occasional travel throughout Montgomery County.

FSLA Status: Exempt

Salary: $57,000 - $67,500

POSITION SUMMARY

The Vocational Services Program at Interfaith Works equips people transitioning out of homelessness and other low-income residents of Montgomery County to achieve economic self-sufficiency through meaningful employment, while meeting the needs of employers by providing qualified, dependable employees seeking long-term careers.

Interfaith Works is seeking a bilingual (Spanish/English) Lead Vocational Counselor to support the Long Branch Thrives initiative through Maryland's ENOUGH Full Implementation Grant. This position will be primarily based at the Long Branch community location and will play a key role in expanding workforce development services for residents of the Long Branch community.

The Lead Vocational Counselor will provide direct employment and career coaching services, support outreach and engagement efforts, build relationships with local employers and community partners, and serve as a workforce development subject matter expert within the Long Branch Thrives collaborative. The successful candidate will be committed to community-based service delivery and possess a strong understanding of the Long Branch community, its residents, resources, challenges, and opportunities.

The work we do changes lives. Employment can create a powerful ripple effect that improves individual and family stability, strengthens communities, contributes to the local economy, and reduces dependence on social services. Our approach centers on client success, accountability, and individualized support throughout the job search and career development process.

This grant-funded position is guaranteed for one year through September 30, 2027. Continuation beyond the initial term is contingent upon grant renewal and funding availability.

Preference will be given to candidates who have lived, worked, volunteered, or otherwise demonstrated strong connections to the Long Branch community. Familiarity with Long Branch residents, community organizations, culturally responsive engagement strategies, workforce barriers, and local employment opportunities is highly desirable.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage a caseload of participants and lead clients through a structured, targeted job search process, providing individualized vocational counseling, coaching, and skill-building.
• Support achievement of grant outcomes by maintaining strong participant engagement, job placement activity, employment retention efforts, and successful workforce development outcomes.
• Meet regularly with participants to monitor progress, reinforce accountability, adjust employment goals, and provide ongoing employment retention support.
• Conduct vocational assessments and develop individualized employment plans that address participants' strengths, goals, and barriers to employment.
• Build and maintain relationships with employers through direct outreach, networking, and community engagement activities to identify employment opportunities and create hiring pathways for participants.
• Deliver job-readiness training and coaching, including resume development, interview preparation, workplace expectations, job search strategies, and techniques for successfully navigating the employment process.
• Develop expertise in workforce barriers and employment challenges faced by the communities served through the program and support participants in navigating employment systems, accessing opportunities, and advancing along career pathways.
• Serve as the primary workforce development representative for the Long Branch Thrives initiative and actively participate in community meetings, partnerships, outreach efforts, and collaborative activities.
• Collaborate with case managers, community partners, employers, and service providers to ensure coordinated support and successful participant outcomes.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation, case records, outcome tracking, grant data, and reports using Dynamics 365 and other required systems.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen workforce programming, improve participant outcomes, and support implementation of grant-funded initiatives.
• Demonstrate exceptional organizational skills, initiative, problem-solving ability, and a results-oriented approach to achieving program and grant goals.
• Serve as a trusted representative of Interfaith Works within the Long Branch community, building relationships with participants, employers, and community partners while advancing workforce development opportunities and program goals.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience.
• Fluency in Spanish and English or Amharic and English required, with the ability to provide services in the participant's preferred language.
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, written, and presentation skills.
• Valid driver's license and access to reliable transportation.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 (Word, Excel, Outlook) and virtual meeting platforms such as Zoom and Teams.
• Strong organizational, administrative, and time-management skills.
• Experience developing resumes, cover letters, and other employment-related materials.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively, exercise sound judgment, and manage competing priorities.
• Demonstrated professionalism, integrity, and accountability.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in workforce development, employment services, career coaching, case management, or related human services work.
• Experience working with immigrant, multilingual, and diverse communities.
• Experience using Dynamics 365 or similar case management databases.
• Strong knowledge of the Long Branch community, including its residents, cultures, community organizations, resources, and workforce development opportunities.
• Familiarity with the Montgomery County and DMV labor markets, including local industries, workforce trends, and employment resources.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk or listen. The employee frequently is required to use hands or fingers, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, sit, and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.

BENEFITS

Interfaith Works offers a comprehensive benefits package for its employees. Employees receive 14 paid holidays and 21 days of PTO. Benefits for full-time employees, those who work 30 hours per week or more, include access to subsidized medical, dental, and vision costs for employees and their families; employer paid long-term disability insurance as well as life and AD&D insurance. Employees have the option to purchase supplemental benefits that are fully portable, including short-term disability insurance, critical illness insurance, and more. All employees regardless of full or part time status have access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) at no cost to them.

TO APPLY

Interested candidates must submit a resume with their application to be considered. Applicants must apply through this link. Please send any questions about the application process to hr@iworksmc.org.

NOTE

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbents will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" relationship.

Interfaith Works is an equal opportunity employer which values diversity, equity, and inclusion. We are committed to a continued focus on equitable hiring, training, promotional practices, and policies. We are a drug-free workplace and comply with ADA regulations, as applicable.