Careers at UMass Amherst

About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

Job Summary

Essential Functions

• Performs tasks and interventions, and provides advice to customers in line with MassHire overall mission objectives.
• Provides services to customers to allow them to successfully participate in the Federal Title 1 Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and the Commonwealth’s Re-Employment Eligibility Assessment (RESEA) program.
• Facilitates comprehensive re-employment services to job seekers through assessments, individual counseling, trainings, workshops, job placement, and follow-up.
• Coordinates with the MHGBCC Business Services unit in order to make appropriate employment referrals by developing a pool of qualified job seekers and matching them to opportunities.
• Remains current and knowledgeable on performance benchmarks and metrics in order to integrate these measures into daily operations.
• Monitors program-specific performance benchmarks and assess and adjust own performance against those measures.
• Documents all services in Massachusetts One Stop Employment System (MOSES) and other systems required for program compliance.
• Performs all assignments in a timely and accurate manner and in accordance with the program requirements issued by local, state, and federal agencies.

Other Functions

• Cross-trains and provides coverage for other MassHire team members when needed.
• Participates in all MassHire and UMDI initiatives as required.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Bachelors’ degree; degree requirement may be waived in lieu of three (3) years of demonstrated, proven ability and experience in Workforce Development, Human Resources, or Counseling.
• Demonstrated ability in the following areas:
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
  • Knowledge of workforce development and employment counseling techniques.
  • Desire to serve the needs of diverse populations with acceptance to include such demographic factors as age, ethnicity, gender, socio-economic status, or disability.
  • Excellent verbal and written English language communication skills.
  • Strong organizational skills.
  • Solid computer skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook).

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Ability to speak, read and write in other additional languages. Languages preferred include but are not limited to: Spanish, Cape Verdean, Haitian/Creole, and Portuguese. 
• Knowledge of the program requirements of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and other Federal and State programs.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

• Ability to transport supplies weighing up to 20 pounds.
• Multiple hours in a stationary position while using office equipment and computers.
• Environment and work demands are fast-paced and dynamic, including multiple interruptions and requests for assistance.
• The physical/mental demands and work environment factors described above are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Additional Details

• This is a full-time benefited position.
• Applicants must be work authorized for employment in the U.S. on a full-time basis.
• Any job offer is specifically conditioned upon the potential candidate consenting to and successfully completing a background review.
• All Career Specialists will be required to complete training in Massachusetts One Stop Employment System (MOSES) and gain facility with its use.

Work Schedule

• Standard full-time work schedule consisting of five, eight-hour days and 40 hours each week.
• Work performed in addition to regular hours may be necessary, as may be a change in availability at specific times, to accommodate for variations in work demands. 

Salary Information

Level 25

Exempt Hiring Ranges

Special Instructions to Applicants

Along with the application, please submit a resume and cover letter. References will be checked at the finalist stage. Please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references. Applications will be reviewed on a continuous basis until the position is filled. Early submissions are encouraged.

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, caste, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, political belief or affiliation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related condition(s), veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, natural and protective hairstyle and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University.  To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans.  It is the policy of UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.