Employment Specialist

Inspiritus; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Inspiritus in Atlanta, GA seeks an Employment Specialist to develop job opportunities for refugees and asylees, partnering with area employers and community resources. The role includes client assessments, placement, and post-placement follow-up to ensure successful employment outcomes.

This full-time position involves in-person work in Clarkston, GA with travel up to 50% to job sites and fairs; schedule is Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM, with flexible hours and a focus on economic empowerment.

Qualifications

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree and at least two years of direct work experience in employment or human services or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English
• Experience working in a culturally diverse environment
• Ability to balance the needs of the client and the employer
• Must have a valid driver's license, own a vehicle, and good driving record

Responsibilities

• Identify and contact employers who provide quality employment opportunities at market rates
• Promote Inspiritus’ employment programs as a reliable staffing source
• Document all employer contacts and information as required by funder and program management
• Interview clients to assess education, job skills, goals, and barriers to employment
• Orient groups of clients to the U.S. workplace and local job market
• Assist clients with online job searches and applications
• Ensure a good match between client and employer
• Enroll clients in Inspiritus employment programs and provide orientation
• Provide transportation to interviews or arrange alternatives
• Conduct post-employment follow-up to ensure retention

Skills

Communication skills

Cultural sensitivity

Teamwork

Education

Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in social services / related field

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

Outlook

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: Atlanta - Atlanta, GA 30308

Position Type: Full Time

Education Level: 2 or 4 year degree

Travel Percentage: Up to 50%

Job Shift: Day

Job Category: Nonprofit - Social Services

The Employment Specialist will conduct job development and facilitate job placement for refugees, asylees, Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders, and Afghan Humanitarian Parolees to help them become financially self-sufficient. To fulfill these responsibilities, he or she will cultivate relationships with employers and with employment-related community resources, including area businesses, private employment agencies, and the local Department of Labor. Appropriate documentation of job development and placement services is considered part of service provision. Pre- and post-placement services should be provided to both employers and clients. Additional duties that may be assigned include writing reports, creating employment program materials, and updating orientation curricula.

Position Details

Full-time position

Economic Empowerment

Reports to Economic Empowerment Program Manager

Located in Clarkston, GA

Mostly in-person with frequent local travel to employer sites, job fairs, and worksites (up to 50%)

Monday through Friday; 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM, flexible hours

Annual Compensation: $40,000 - $45,000

Responsibilities

• Identifies and contacts appropriate employers who will provide quality employment opportunities at market rates in suitable work sites
• Portrays Inspiritus' employment programs as a reliable staffing source
• Documents each employer contact and all employer information as directed by funder and program management staff
• Interviews clients and assesses their education, marketable job skills, career goals, and individual barriers to employment
• Orients groups of clients to the U.S. workplace and to area job market
• Assists clients (or refers for assistance) with online job searches and applications
• Interacts with clients to ensure a suitable match between a client and a potential employer.
• Assists in enrolling clients in the appropriate employment programs at Inspiritus (extended employment or Matching Grant), provides employment orientation, and ESL instruction as needed
• Transports clients to job interviews or arranges alternative transportation
• Interprets for clients as required or arranges for interpretation
• Conducts appropriate post-employment follow-up in order to ensure job retention and continued employment for newly arrived clients and clients in the US less than 5 years
• Writes comprehensive case notes to document activities on behalf of each client and enters each client’s employment data in the database(s)
• Documents all services provided to clients in appropriate database(s)
• Contacts employer and client after client placement to identify and help resolve any problems
• Contributes to maintaining each client’s extended employment and/or Matching Grant file
• Coordinates activities and with related Refugee Services programs to ensure provision of high-quality services offered with efficiency and economy
• Provides back-up services for other Employment staff and for other Refugee Services staff as appropriate
• Performs the above duties at out-posted locations as assigned
• Evaluates and updates employment training materials as needed in conjunction with supervisor
• Develops marketing and outreach materials for employers and clients in conjunction with supervisor and Resource Development Department
• Maintains personal and professional boundaries in the performance of the job
• Forges mutually respectful partnerships with clients, co-workers, and employers
• Participates in Inspiritus functions and public relations activities
• Participates in in-service training and conferences related to the programs
• Conforms with and abides by all regulations, policies, work procedures and instructions
• Complies with the various federal, state or local laws that apply to and regulate their job duties

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree or Bachelor’s degree in a social service or business field and minimum of two years of previous direct work experience in employment or human services, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English
• Experience working in a culturally diverse environment
• Ability to balance the needs of the client and the employer
• Conviction about the capacity of people to grow and change
• Ability to set limits and maintain the helping role of the practitioner
• Excellent computer skills, accurate typing, and knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook
• Must own a personal multi-passenger vehicle, hold a valid state Driver’s license, have a good driving record, and have appropriate personal auto insurance
• Must have the ability to communicate with all persons in a culturally competent manner.
• Must be sensitive to the service populations’ cultural and socioeconomic characteristics.

Physical Demands

Regularly required to talk and hear.

Required to stand, walk, sit, use hand to finger, handle or feel objects, tools and controls, and reach with hands and arms. Required to operate a personal vehicle. Employees frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Inspiritus is dedicated to providing equal opportunities and equal access to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, national origin, genetic information, age, physical or mental disability, service in the uniformed services, or any other category protected by applicable law. Inspiritus does not discriminate in employment on the basis of any factor stated above or prohibited under applicable law. Inspiritus complies with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, the Vietnam Era Veteran's Readjustment Assistance Act, and applicable executive orders, federal and state regulations regarding nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and affirmative action. Inquiries regarding this policy should be directed to the Inspiritus Department of Human Resources, 731 Peachtree St NE, Suite B, Atlanta, GA 30308.