Employment Specialist

Job Overview:

The Employment Specialist assists newly arrived refugees and other qualified immigrants to attain self-sufficiency through employment by guiding them through employment preparation, coordinating job placements, and other career advancement services. This role is assigned to work with the Ukrainian Supplemental Appropriation to Resettlement Agencies (USARA) program. The USARA program provides refugee support services, including employment assistance, case management, skills training, English as a second language, assistance in applying for Employment Authorization Documents and, when necessary, housing and food assistance to certain eligible individuals who have arrived in the U.S. from Ukraine. This role will primarily be serving Ukrainian clients.

Major Responsibilities:

• Conduct intakes and assessments and provide program orientation to clients eligible for employment services.
• Develop comprehensive employment plans and budget strategies for each employable adult. Provide job readiness and job search coaching and connect clients with job opportunities.
• Work closely with the Economic Empowerment team’s Workforce Job Developer to identify appropriate employment and training opportunities for clients and to build and maintain relationships with area service providers for the benefit of clients.
• In collaboration with the Workforce Job Developer, assist clients and employers as necessary with post-placement issues and continuing employment needs.
• Monitor client job performance, wage levels, and related metrics.
• Detail each client interaction in accordance with program requirements. Input client information in a database(s) and assist with tracking and reporting as needed.
• Collaborate effectively with coworkers and partner organizations; ensure clients are connected with complimentary services from internal departments (e.g. benefits enrollment, financial coaching);
• Train and lead the activities of support staff, volunteers, and interns; and
• Other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements:

Work Experience:

• Relevant professional experience in the workforce development field is required; a minimum of 2 years’ experience strongly preferred.
• Experience working with refugee and/or immigrant populations strongly preferred; and
• Experience with job placement and job readiness training a plus

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

• Strong relationship-building, diplomacy, and networking skills; ability to effectively build internal and external relationships.
• Relationships and communicating effectively in a multicultural environment.
• Self-starter with excellent problem-solving skills combined with the proven ability to multi-task, prioritize duties, and manage time effectively.
• Attention to detail and accuracy in work product; and
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook); ability to use the internet and other digital tools for data entry, research, and problem-solving purposes.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in social work or related field of study preferred.

Language Skills:

• Fluency in both English and Ukrainian and/or Russian, both spoken and written, is required.

Working Environment:

• A combination of the standard office environment, remote work, and ‘field’ time within the service delivery area to perform the above-outlined responsibilities; and
• May require occasional weekend and/or evening work.

Compensation: Posted pay ranges apply to US-based candidates. Ranges are based on various factors including the labor market, job type, internal equity, and budget. Exact offers are calibrated by work location, individual candidate experience and skills relative to the defined job requirements.

Gender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances.

Equal Opportunity Employer: We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

US Benefits: The IRC offers a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. All US employees are eligible for sick time, a 403b retirement savings plans: up to 4.5% immediately vested matching contribution, plus an 3-7% additional IRC contribution, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support in times of crisis and mental health struggles.

In addition, full-time employees are eligible for 10 US paid holidays, 20-25 paid time off days, disability & life insurance, medical, dental, and vision insurance (employee contribution starting at $135, $7, and $5 per month respectively) and FSA for healthcare, childcare, and commuter costs. Part-time employees are eligible for a proportionate amount of paid time off. These additional benefits apply to employees who work at least 6 months within a 12 month time period.