The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world’s largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you’re a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.
Job Summary:
The Job Development Specialist is primarily responsible for the development and coordination of partnerships with employers throughout the Tucson area, and matches employer needs to the skills and interests of employable clients. The scope of work involves the establishment and maintenance of working relationships with area employers, industry and labor organizations, and other community partners to secure sustainable employment for clients. The Job Development Specialist reviews employment trends in Tucson and will be tasked with growing the number of employers partnered with the IRC, the diversity of industries, and types of jobs available to clients of varying skill levels. The Job Development Specialist will coordinate outreach with the Economic Empowerment Unit as well as the Client and Community Education and Advocacy department at within IRC Arizona.
Major Responsibilities:
• Outreach to local employers to secure sustainable employment opportunities for all employable clients, across all IRC in Tucson programming.
• Research local and national employment trends and develop new employment possibilities for clients with all skill levels.
• Networking with other IRC field offices to identify national employer partnerships with local job opportunities; concurrently, share any new national partnerships across the IRC network.
• Follow up with all interested employers who are referred to the IRC in Tucson. Provide Refugee 101 trainings, as needed.
• Share available opportunities and coordinate with Employment Specialists to identify the best candidate for each opportunity; support Employment Specialists, in application, interview, and placement process.
• Serve as a liaison between employers and Employment Specialists and Case Workers to troubleshoot any client or employer concerns or barriers; follow up on all job placements and performance, with the employer, Employment Specialist, and client.
• Develop pathways to job growth.
• Conduct regular community outreach to publicize IRC’s employment program, in-kind donation needs, and fundraising.
• Participate in community wide employment councils and networks, as well as the workforce development board.
• Participate in regular direct service team meetings to discuss client barriers to self-sufficiency.
• Assist with employment staff coordination and coverage on issues including intake, orientations, applications, interviews, and job acceptance procedures.
• Participate in all program meetings, staff development activities, and fully engage as a member of the team
• Other office duties as assigned
Key Working Relationships:
Position Report: Economic Empowerment Unit Manager
Position Directly Supervises: Interns/Volunteers
Other Internal and/or external contacts
Internal: Coordination with all internal departments is required
External: Local employers, workforce development boards, DES, social service partners, community and stakeholder partners, religious and faith-based communities.
Job Requirements
• 1-2 years’ experience in workforce development and an understanding of local employment trends.
• Fluency in written and spoken English, bilingual ability preferred in Swahili, Kinyarwanda, Arabic, French or other refugee/immigrant language used in Arizona.
• Cross-cultural understanding and strong communication skills, both written and verbal with lived experience as refugee or immigrant or in lieu of lived experience, experience working with refugees and/or immigrants or experience working cross-culturally
• Ability to prepare timely reports and accurate documentation of all client and employer interactions and services provided.
• Computer proficiency with an emphasis on Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Teams, Outlook). Experience in web-based data entry systems and databases strongly preferred.
• Highly organized self-starter with success prioritizing multiple tasks, making critical decisions, and delivering results in a fast-paced environment with stringent deadlines
• Must possess or be eligible to receive a fingerprint clearance card.
• Valid driver’s license, reliable vehicle with current insurance, and the ability to travel regularly throughout the service delivery area (home, community partner, service provider visits etc.).
Working Environment:
• In-office and in field
• A combination of standard office work environment and regular travel within the service delivery area.
• Night and weekend work, as needed.
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.
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.
Standard of Professional Conduct: The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality.
Commitment to Gender, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion: The IRC is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, respectful, and safe work environment where all persons are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. The IRC expressly prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or bullying of the IRC persons in any work setting. We aim to increase the representation of women, people that are from country and communities we serve, and people who identify as races and ethnicities that are under-represented in global power structures.