EMPLOYMENT COUNSELOR
Bilingual In Spanish And English
New Jersey treats Employment Counselor as a competitive-class job, so the gate is an examination and the ranked list it produces rather than a direct offer.
The spec names a master's degree, but it leaves the door open to substitute experience for the degree. The FY 2027 range lands between $60,876 and $88,743, and state payroll currently lists about 50 people in the title, most of them at Labor.
How to apply
This title is filled by competitive examination.
See every real route in, and where to apply. One agency employs it. We don't track live vacancies.
See where to apply for this title →Who employs this title
Employment Counselor appears on the State payroll at one department, Department of Labor.
State departments
| Employer | Employees |
|---|---|
| Department of Labor | 50 |
Where this title is used
Employment Counselor is a common title, so it is used in both State and local service. The local side is filled by the counties, municipalities, authorities and other employers that have adopted civil service under Title 11A, which set their own pay by ordinance or contract rather than from a State salary schedule.
Check whether an employer is a civil service jurisdiction · How local civil service works
State payroll and independent authority payroll are separate systems and are never merged. See data sources.
Who employs this title
State payroll records show 50 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $83,050. The agencies employing the most are:
- Labor (50)
Counts from NJ YourMoney agency payroll. See statewide workforce analytics.
Official job specification
The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.
Definition
Under the limited supervision of an Employment Supervisor or manager in the Department of Labor and Workforce Development or in a local government jurisdiction, provides career counseling and related employment-directed services to job seekers; assists in resolving problems related to occupational choice, change, or adjustment; provides assistance in researching and preparing for job opportunities, and/or provides basic or occupational skills training to achieve an industry valued credential and career path; does other related duties as required.
Examples of work
Interviews and counsels applicants who require special assistance in occupational problems of choice, change, or adjustment; determines the specific cause of occupational maladjustment; records needed personal and vocational data and assists the applicant in evaluating vocational abilities and potentialities, interests, and capacities and in relating them realistically to prevailing occupation requirements and conditions. Presents standardized information to groups regarding a wide variety of job search topics/issues. Delivers, one-on-one, employment counseling that includes providing applicants with a comprehensive assessment, employability plan, resume critique, and referral to appropriate job opening, services, and training. Assists applicants with creating resumes reflective of 21st century styles which highlight the specific attributes and accomplishments necessary for the applicant to successfully apply for employment openings. Interprets results of aptitude, performance, and other tests, and helps applicants to analyze and evaluate their vocational assets and relate them to realistic occupational objectives. Provides information to applicants on job requirements, occupation opportunities, and training facilities, and assists them in formulating vocation plans. Selects and refers applicants to training programs or work experience sites, in conjunction with the applicant employability plan, and monitors their progress. Refers applicants to other community agencies for special services beyond the scope of the office as required. Develops and maintains cooperative relationships with local community training, educational, rehabilitation, and social agencies to assist applicants with vocation problems and provide supportive services. Provides placement services to applicants related to career plans. Prepares clear, sound, accurate, and informative histories and reports of counseling activities containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations and appropriately documents this using the One-Stop Case Management System. Makes determinations to ascertain applicants' eligibility for various programs. Represents the department at various public events to promote employment programs and services. Works cooperatively and in alignment with One-Stop partners including Vocational Rehabilitation and Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Titles 1 and 2. Identifies enrollee failure to participate or subpar academic progress while in training. Follows up with applicants on a regular basis using a case management approach to ensure appropriate progress is being made towards employability plan goals. Keeps current with professional knowledge involving systems and strategies for assisting applicants with their employment goals. Establishes and maintains records and files. Will be required to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
License
Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
Knowledge of the problems encountered in counseling applicants for employment. Knowledge of the available resources and techniques used to assist applicants to secure employment. Knowledge of principles and techniques of career guidance. Knowledge of the principles and techniques used to appraise the career potential of applicants. Knowledge of employment interview and counseling techniques. Knowledge of occupational testing and evaluation techniques. Knowledge of the variety of occupations and industries, and of current employment and industrial conditions in New Jersey, and the skills, abilities, qualifications, and training required for specific types of work. Knowledge of industry and occupation codes, and other reference material. Ability to read, interpret, and apply laws and regulations regarding unemployment compensation, federal social security, and other acts which impact upon agency operations. Ability to learn the registration, interview, and placement techniques of the assigned agency, and placing of applicants for employment. Ability to organize assigned career counseling work, analyze specific vocational problems, and develop effective work methods. Ability to observe and evaluate the characteristics, physical capacities, formal education, other training, work histories, and potential abilities and interests of applicants and to relate these factors to prevailing occupational requirements and conditions. Ability to develop and maintain cooperative working relationships with associates, applicants, employers, and with public and private community agency representatives. Ability to draft correspondence in connection with the counseling program. Ability to prepare clear, sound, accurate, and informative statistical and other reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Ability to maintain records and files. Ability to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units. Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication. Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible if they can perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible. This job specification is applicable to the following title code(s) which are different work week or work month and/or variants of the job class title: Job Spec Code State, Local or Common Class of Service Work Week State Class Code Local Class Code Salary Range
Note
The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed. Appointments may be made to positions requiring bilingual skills. - Bilingual in Spanish and English SPECIAL SKILL: Applicants must be able to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in Spanish and English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. Applicants must meet one of the following or a combination of both experience and education. Thirty (30) semester hour credits are equal to one (1) year of relevant experience. Five (5) years of professional experience in career guidance or employment counseling, including or supplemented by six (6) semester hour credits in Non-introductory Sociology or Psychology or other field of study directly related to vocational counseling or workforce and career development, and nine (9) semester hour credits in the Behavioral Sciences, Statistics, or Non-Introductory Labor Market Information courses. OR Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, including or supplemented by six (6) semester hour credits in Non-introductory Sociology or Psychology or other field of study directly related to vocational counseling or workforce and career development, and nine (9) semester hour credits in the Behavioral Sciences, Statistics, or Non-Introductory Labor Market Information courses; and one (1) year of the above-mentioned professional experience. OR Possession of a Master's degree from an accredited college or university in Psychology, Education, Social Work, Personnel Administration, Counseling, Student Personnel Services, or related fields, which shall have included a minimum of fifteen (15) semester hour credits outlined above. Courses in Public Safety, Criminal Justice, Public Safety Administration and Philosophy will not be accepted toward meeting the special credit requirements in the Behavioral Sciences. "Professional experience" refers to work that is analytical, evaluative, and interpretive; requires a range of basic knowledge of the profession's concepts and practices; and is performed with the authority to act and make accurate and informed decisions. CC352023P19-Bilingual In Spanish And EnglishCC352023P19- This job specification is for and government use. Salary range is only applicable to state government. Local salaries are established by individual local jurisdictions. 8/12/2023