VETERANS' CAREER COACH - DISABLED VETERANS' OUTREACH PROGRAM (VCC-DVOP)

Position Overview

Essential Functions

• Under general supervision, serves as a Veterans’ Career Coach - Disabled Veterans’ Outreach Program (VCC-DVOP) for the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) for an assigned area
• Provides general and individualized career and training related services, including but not limited to vocational guidance and employment planning, and facilitates placements to meet employment needs for assigned Disabled Veterans’ Outreach Program (DVOP) eligible agency clients
• Conducts a variety of outreach activities to promote services available to Disabled Veterans’ Outreach Program (DVOP) eligible agency clients, improve quality of referrals of DVOP eligible persons to the agency and expand incoming client referral networks through engagement with organizations serving DVOP eligible populations
• Functions as a case manager for participants in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Chapter 31 program, also known as the Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) program, and other veterans’ training programs
• Establishes and/or maintains various reports, agency records and other information pertaining to the provision of employment services to veterans using systems including but not limited to the Illinois Labor Exchange System
• Keeps abreast of policies, procedures, regulations, systems and best practices related to the Disabled Veterans’ Outreach Program (DVOP) and providing services to veterans
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires knowledge, skill and mental development equivalent to completion of four (4) years of college with courses in social or behavioral sciences, business administration or marketing. Military experience may substitute for college on a year-for-year basis to satisfy the education requirement of this class. 
• Requires other than dishonorable discharge from the Armed Services of the United States, with preference given to qualified disabled veterans and other qualified veterans, in that order. 

IMPORTANT NOTE: Any candidate for these positions shall be deemed to have met and satisfied examination admission requirements if the candidate served in the armed forces of the United States during times of hostilities with a foreign country and was honorably discharged therefrom due to a combat-related disability.  (330 ILCS 50/1) 

Preferred Qualifications

• Two (2) years of experience building strong relationships with private, public, or non-profit organizations to support mission objectives.
• One (1) year of experience developing and presenting premade or self-created materials on multiple mediums to facilitate training to diverse audiences of all sizes that include peers and superiors.
• One (1) year of professional experience communicating policies and procedures to diverse audiences instilling confidence in others.
• One (1) year experience supporting team metrics that measure program success.
• Two (2) years of professional experience in a role providing services or support to veterans, applying knowledge of veterans’ needs and the community resources available to assist them.
• Intermediate proficiency in web-based communication platforms.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office or similar software.
• One (1) year of intermediate proficiency providing employment services utilizing public or private software tracking systems.

Conditions of Employment

• Requires an Illinois State Police background check and self-disclosure of any criminal history.
• Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate. Requires appropriate, valid driver’s license and access to an automobile.
• Requires use of an agency supplied laptop and mobile phone. 
• This position is considered light work as defined by the U.S. Department of Labor (20 CFR 404.1567(b)). Light work involves lifting no more than 20 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 10 pounds. This job may require a good deal of walking or standing, or involves sitting most of the time with some pushing and pulling of arm or leg controls.
• Requires ability to attend seminars, conferences, and trainings to stay current on methods, tools, ideologies, or other industry related topics relevant to the job duties. 
• The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description. 

About the Agency

The Illinois Department of Employment Security’s (IDES) mission is to serve Illinois workers and employers to the best of our ability and to use our knowledge of the Illinois workforce to inform sound policy decision making.  IDES encourages economic growth and stability in Illinois by providing vital Employment Services to Illinois residents and employers, analyzing and disseminating actionable Labor Market Information, and administering Unemployment Insurance programs.