About this position
Job Title: Career Counselor
Reports To: Director of Programs
Position Type: Full-Time
Work Location: Chicago, IL with regular local travel across Chicago and suburban Cook County; reliable personal vehicle and valid driver’s license required.
Reports To: Director of Programs
Position Type: Full-Time
Work Location: Chicago, IL with regular local travel across Chicago and suburban Cook County; reliable personal vehicle and valid driver’s license required.
Classification: Exempt
Status: Full-time (Hybrid)
Employee Type: W-2
Salary: $42,500
About Our Organization
The Chicago Federation of Labor Workforce & Community Initiative (CFL Initiative) is a mission driven 501(c)(3) organization focused on developing and strengthening the skills of Chicagoland workers to support employer workforce needs and promote regional economic vitality. More information is available at www.cflinitiative.org
Position Description
CFL Initiative is seeking an energetic and ambitious individual looking to grow with the organization. The Career Counselor assists with the day‑to‑day delivery of CFL Initiative’s programs by providing career and educational counseling, job search assistance, employment referrals, follow‑up services, workshop presentations and facilitation, and participant recruitment and outreach. This position plays a key role in achieving program goals by supporting participants through individualized services, maintaining compliance with program and funder requirements, and ensuring high‑quality customer service for all individuals served.
Primary Responsibilities
The Career Counselor is expected to maintain high quality and compliance at all times by achieving a standard of excellence in work processes and outcomes, honoring all organizational and funder policies, and meeting all regulatory requirements. The role requires consistently striving for exceptional customer satisfaction by providing excellent customer service, going out of the way to be helpful and pleasant, and making the process as easy and supportive as possible for each participant.
- Provide individual career planning services including intake, certification, assessments, testing, training needs evaluation, job‑search training, counseling, resume writing, referrals, job placement, and follow‑up services.
- Manage a caseload of customers, maintaining accurate documentation for all services provided.
- Determine Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) eligibility through careful document review and individual assessment.
- Maintain and track all documents related to eligibility and services.
- Work one‑on‑one with individuals from diverse backgrounds to address challenges and barriers limiting their ability to secure full‑time employment.
- Provide guidance and ongoing support throughout participants’ job‑seeking and training journeys.
- Develop and conduct workshops, orientations, and presentations for participants and partner agencies both onsite and offsite.
- Participate in community outreach and recruitment activities.
- Build professional relationships with unions, employers, training entities, and partner organizations to support participant referrals and job placements.
- Identify job opportunities using online tools, job fairs, and networking events.
- Coordinate referrals and share résumés with the CFL Initiative Business Services team and partner agencies.
- Enter data accurately and on time into required databases.
- Maintain complete and up‑to‑date participant files.
- Complete all agency and funder reporting requirements accurately and in a timely manner.
- Stay informed on hiring trends, industry expectations, and screening practices.
- Collaborate with team members to improve program processes and procedures.
- Represent the organization professionally at community events, meetings, and professional gatherings.
- Perform all other duties as assigned to support agency and program objectives.
Qualifications
- Minimum of an Associate’s Degree required; degree in a related field preferred.
- At least one year of experience in a related field preferred, but willing to train a strong candidate.
- Cultural awareness and sensitivity when working with diverse populations.
- High level of professionalism and ability to maintain confidentiality.
- Strong verbal, written, and presentation communication skills.
- Excellent problem‑solving abilities and attention to detail.
- Ability to work independently, stay organized, and manage tasks with minimal supervision.
- Flexibility and adaptability in changing environments.
- Leadership traits aligned with organizational growth and long‑term strategy.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), typing, and data entry.
- Experience with data systems such as Efforts to Outcomes (ETO), IWDS, Career Connect, or similar platforms is a plus.
- Receptive to feedback and committed to continuous improvement.
- Team‑oriented, respectful, and able to maintain positive working relationships.
- Takes initiative and follows through independently on tasks and responsibilities.
- Reliable and regular access to a personal vehicle.
- Valid driver’s license.
- Ability to travel locally throughout Cook County on a regular basis.
The CFL Initiative is an equal opportunity/ADA employer. All federal, state and local and other fair employment standards including EEO and ADA requirements in race, gender, gender identification, religion, national origin, disability, political affiliation, veteran status, veterans or disabled veterans status as found in 41CFR 60-1.4, 60-250.4 and 60-741.4 are herein incorporated by reference. Reasonable accommodations requested by qualified individuals with disabilities will be made in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. The CFL Initiative encourages applications from all of the above referenced protected and unprotected status groups.