Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Employment Case Manager

🎯 Role Definition

As an Employment Case Manager, you are the cornerstone of our clients' success in the workforce. You will be a coach, advocate, and resource navigator, dedicated to helping individuals overcome barriers to employment and achieve economic self-sufficiency. This dynamic role requires a blend of empathy, strategic thinking, and a passion for community building. You will manage a diverse caseload of clients, providing personalized, one-on-one support from initial assessment to post-placement retention. Success in this position means not just finding someone a job, but empowering them with the skills, confidence, and support network to build a lasting career.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Social Work Assistant or Case Aide
Job Coach or Career Services Advisor
Intake Specialist or Community Outreach Coordinator

Advancement To:

Senior Employment Case Manager or Team Lead
Program Coordinator or Workforce Development Manager
Director of Client Services or Program Director

Lateral Moves:

Corporate Recruiter (with a focus on diversity & inclusion)
Career Counselor (in an educational or private setting)
Human Resources Generalist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Conduct comprehensive, culturally sensitive intake interviews to assess clients' employment history, educational background, skills, and potential barriers to employment.
Develop and implement detailed Individual Employment Plans (IEPs) in collaboration with each client, setting realistic, time-bound goals for career development and job attainment.
Provide intensive one-on-one career counseling and coaching, utilizing motivational interviewing techniques to foster client engagement and self-efficacy.
Design and facilitate engaging job readiness workshops on essential topics such as resume and cover letter writing, professional networking, and effective interviewing skills.
Actively cultivate and maintain a robust network of employer partners across various industries to identify and create a pipeline of suitable job opportunities for clients.
Meticulously match qualified clients with appropriate job openings based on their skills, experience, and career goals, and assist them through the application and hiring process.
Deliver critical post-placement support for at least 90-180 days, providing job retention coaching to both the client and employer to ensure long-term success.
Maintain highly accurate, confidential, and up-to-date client records, case notes, and progress reports in the designated client management system (e.g., Salesforce, HMIS).
Expertly connect clients to a network of wraparound support services, including housing assistance, transportation solutions, childcare, and mental health resources to address holistic needs.
Systematically monitor, document, and evaluate client progress towards their IEP goals, adjusting strategies as needed to overcome challenges and celebrate milestones.
Serve as a dedicated advocate for clients in the workplace, mediating potential issues and promoting inclusive hiring practices with employer partners.
Administer and interpret various career assessment tools (e.g., Strong Interest Inventory, Myers-Briggs Type Indicator) to help clients identify their strengths and career interests.
Guide clients in effectively navigating online job application portals, applicant tracking systems (ATS), and professional social media platforms like LinkedIn.
Manage a dynamic caseload of approximately 25-40 clients, ensuring each individual receives timely and high-quality, personalized services.
Proactively collaborate with internal teams and external agencies to ensure a coordinated, seamless service delivery experience for every client.
Provide basic benefits counseling to help clients understand how earned income may impact their public assistance, food stamps, or medical benefits.

Secondary Functions

Prepare and submit timely, accurate reports for program funders and grant compliance, detailing client outcomes and service delivery metrics.
Perform targeted community outreach to build relationships with partner agencies, community leaders, and referral sources to ensure a steady influx of eligible clients.
Stay consistently informed about local labor market trends, in-demand industries, and regional economic development initiatives to provide relevant, up-to-date advice to clients.
Organize, promote, and execute successful hiring events, job fairs, and employer-on-site recruitment sessions to directly connect clients with hiring managers.
Contribute to the continuous improvement of program curriculum, service delivery models, and resource materials based on client feedback and outcomes.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Client Database Management: Proficiency in using client relationship management (CRM) or human services databases like Salesforce, HMIS, Apricot, or similar systems for case noting and reporting.
Microsoft Office Suite: Advanced skills in MS Word (resume formatting), Excel (data tracking), Outlook (communication), and PowerPoint (workshop presentations).
Workforce Development Principles: Strong understanding of career counseling theories, job development strategies, and local labor market dynamics.
Grant Reporting & Compliance: Experience in documenting services and outcomes in accordance with strict grant and funder guidelines.
Assessment Administration: Familiarity with administering and interpreting career or educational assessment tools (e.g., CASAS, TABE).
LinkedIn & Online Job Boards: Expertise in navigating professional networking sites and major job boards (Indeed, Glassdoor) for job searching and employer outreach.

Soft Skills

Empathetic Communication: Ability to build rapport and trust with diverse populations through active listening, clear communication, and a non-judgmental approach.
Problem-Solving & Crisis Intervention: Skill in identifying client barriers, creatively finding solutions, and de-escalating crisis situations with calm and decisive action.
Time Management & Organization: Exceptional ability to manage a high-volume caseload, prioritize competing tasks, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Cultural Competency & Humility: A deep commitment to and experience in working effectively with individuals from various cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Motivational Interviewing: Proficiency in using client-centered coaching techniques to inspire action and empower individuals to take ownership of their career path.
Resilience & Adaptability: The capacity to remain positive and persistent in the face of client setbacks and changing program priorities.
Networking & Relationship Building: Proven ability to establish and nurture professional relationships with employers, community partners, and colleagues.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's Degree from an accredited institution.

Preferred Education:

Master's Degree in Social Work (MSW), Counseling (M.Ed./M.A.), or a related field.
Certification such as Global Career Development Facilitator (GCDF).

Relevant Fields of Study:

Social Work
Psychology
Human Services
Sociology
Public Administration
Counseling

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

2-5 years of direct experience in case management, career counseling, workforce development, or a closely related human services role.

Preferred:

Demonstrated experience working with specific populations such as individuals experiencing homelessness, returning citizens, refugees and immigrants, youth, or individuals with disabilities.
A proven track record of meeting or exceeding job placement and retention targets.
Experience in a non-profit or government agency setting.
Bilingual or multilingual abilities (e.g., Spanish, Arabic, French) are highly desirable.