Training and Career Advisor

This position is located at our DeKalb Office (2179 Sycamore Rd, DeKalb, IL 60115)

General Summary

The Training and Career Advisor provides comprehensive career planning, workforce development, and case management services to individuals seeking employment, occupational training, and career advancement through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), and other assigned workforce development programs.

Reporting to the Workforce Services Program Manager, the Training and Career Adviser serves as the primary workforce consultant for assigned participants by assessing career goals, evaluating service and training suitability, developing individualized employment strategies, coordinating workforce and community resources, and monitoring participant progress toward successful employment outcomes.

The Advisor exercises independent professional judgement in validating participant information, evaluating the suitability of workforce services and training investments, interpreting and applying federal, state, and local workforce policies, and ensuring compliance with applicable program requirements. The position collaborates with employers, educational and training providers, community organizations and workforce system partners to deliver customer-centered services that support regional workforce needs.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS, DUTIES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Career Planning and Case Management

• Conducts comprehensive assessments to identify participant strengths, barriers, career interests, and employment goals.
• Reviews and validates participant information and supporting documentation, ensures accurate entry into the Illinois Workforce Development System (IWDS), and determines the appropriateness of workforce program enrollment and services consistent with federal, state, and local policy.
• Develops, implements, and monitors Individual Employment Plan (IEPs) and administers Individual Training Accounts (ITAs) consistent with participant goals and program requirements.
• Provides ongoing career coaching, case management, counseling, and follow-up services designed to support successful employment outcomes
• Maintains accurate case documentation and participant records in the Illinois Workforce Development System (IWDS)

2. Training and Supportive Services

• Assists participants in selecting education and training programs aligned with labor market demand and individual career goals.
• Evaluates, authorizes, and manages ITAs, supportive services, and other participant resources in accordance with federal, state, and local policies.
• Coordinates with educational institutions, training providers, employers, and community organizations to facilitate successful participant engagement and completion.
• Monitors participant progress throughout training and employment activities and adjusts service strategies as needed.

3. Employment and Business Engagement

• Provides career counseling, job search assistance, resume development, interview preparation, and career pathway guidance.
• Coordinates participant referrals to workforce partners to support successful employment outcomes.
• Collaborates with Industry Partnership staff to connect participants with employment opportunities, work-based learning, apprenticeships, and employer recruitment activities.
• Maintains current knowledge of regional labor market trends, high demand occupations, and workforce development resources.

4. Program Compliance and Quality Assurance

• Applies complex federal, state, and local workforce regulations to ensure program eligibility, service delivery, and fiscal compliance.
• Maintains complete and accurate participant records in accordance with WIOA, TAA, DCEO, and County requirements.
• Assists with monitoring activities, audits, corrective actions, performance reporting, and continuous quality improvement initiatives.
• Ensures confidentiality and proper stewardship of participant information.

5. Outreach and Workforce System Collaboration

• Represents Workforce Development at orientations, outreach events, community meetings, Rapid Response events, and partner activities.
• Develops and maintains productive working relationships with employers, educational institutions, and community organizations, and workforce system partners.
• Travels throughout Kane, Kendall, and DeKalb Counties, as needed, to provide workforce services, outreach, attend professional development activities and partner engagement.

6. Professional Responsibilities

• Participate in staff training, professional development, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Supports departmental priorities, pilot projects, and special assignments.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of workforce development principles, career coaching, case management, and customer-centered service delivery.
• Ability to interpret and apply federal, state, and local workforce policies and procedures.
• Ability to evaluate participant needs and recommend appropriate workforce services and training strategies.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining accurate documentation and meeting performance expectations.
• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to establish productive working relationships with participants, employers, educational institutions, community organizations, and workforce partners.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and workforce information systems, including IWDS.

EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE:

• Associate Degree with two (2) years of progressively responsible experience in workforce development, case management, education, human services, or a related field.
• Bachelor"s Degree preferred.
• Experience working in Grant Funded programing preferred.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Prolonged periods of sitting, talking, listening, working on a computer = 75%

Lifting up to 15 pounds at a time, reaching, bending, walking = 25%

EQUIPMENT USED TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Computer, printer, scanner, telephone, fax, copier, county vehicle, and supplies related to duties.

WORKING CONDITIONS WHILE PERFORMING ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Normal office environment where there is no physical discomfort or exposure to hazards due to temperature, dust, noise and the like.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS:

Reports to: Workforce Services Program Manager - DeKalb

Directs Work of: None