State of Maryland

This is paraprofessional work in the Employment Security Administration at the Trainee level. The purpose of this classification is to prepare candidates for careers in the Employment Security Administration through formal and on-the-job training in the major programs of Employment Service, Unemployment Insurance, and special programs for the disadvantaged. Employees in this classification receive training in the job ready interviewing, verification of job referrals, order taking and/or claims taking and processing, reviewing of claims prior to and after non-monetary determination, fact-finding interviewing and other related duties, and/or techniques involved in interviewing applicants for special programs to include registration, appraisal, job-ready interviewing, follow-up, etc. The employee is expected to develop facility and proficiency in interviewing methods and other designated areas. As the training progresses, the employee will be required to perform increasingly difficult duties and exercise greater independent judgment.

Employees in this classification will receive close direction from experienced Employment Service Associates and Unemployment Insurance Claims Associates in the form of procedural and policy direction and will receive work assignments and review from a Supervisor. Employees in this classification do not supervise other employees.

Attends training sessions and observes experienced Unemployment Insurance Claims Associates and Employment Service Associates;

Learns departmental policies and procedures;

Becomes familiar with the Unemployment Insurance Law of Maryland;

May receive training in the Central Job Bank in the area of taking order changes, county referral verification, edit update, master control or referral control;

Elicits from employers the information necessary to complete the job order form;

Makes minor eligibility determinations under Maryland Unemployment Insurance Laws;

Maintains files of correspondence, forms and other materials;

Reviews Employment Service, Unemployment Insurance, and/or special program forms to verify accuracy, completeness and conformance to regulations;

May compile elementary statistical data and prepare reports according to instructions;

May review training in and perform the duties of an Employment Service Associate in special programs for the disadvantaged;

Performs other necessary duties as required.

Knowledge of business English.

Knowledge of family and individual economic and social needs; of the impact of poverty on people.

Ability to elicit information from and deal effectively with employers, unemployment insurance claimants, employment service applicants, and special program applicants;

Ability to record information completely and accurately;

Ability to exercise tact and discretion in dealing with employers; to understand and follow instructions;

Ability to establish and maintain harmonious working relationships with employers, claimants, applicants and fellow employees;

Ability to treat personal information discreetly and confidentially;

Ability to understand applicant’s problems and needs from the applicant’s point of view;

Ability to stimulate disadvantaged and other persons to use employment and other community services;

Ability to motivate applicants to persist in efforts to improve their employability

Experience: Four years of experience performing general clerical work, or one year of experience as an Unemployment Insurance Claims Aide III or Employment Service Aide III or equivalent classification in the Employment Security Administration.

Note: Candidates may substitute the possession of 60 credit hours from an accredited college or university and four years performing general clerical work or one year of experience as an Unemployment Insurance Claims Aide III or Employment Service Aide III or equivalent classification in the Employment Security Administration for the required experience.