Employment Specialist

International Rescue Committee; Louisville (KY); On-site; USD 29,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid time off

Retirement plan

Job summary

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is seeking an Employment Specialist in Louisville to guide newly arrived refugees and qualified immigrants toward self-sufficiency through employment preparation and job placement. You will work to connect clients with employers, provide job readiness training, and document progress in our systems.

Ideal candidates have a bachelor’s degree in a related field, at least 1 year of workforce development experience, and familiarity with refugee populations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred in social work or related field.
• Minimum 1 year relevant workforce development experience; 2+ years preferred.
• Experience with refugee/immigrant populations is strongly preferred.
• Experience with job placement and job readiness training is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Conduct intake, assessment and provide program orientation to clients eligible for employment services.
• Provide job readiness training and job search coaching; connect clients with job opportunities.
• Develop relationships with area employers and staffing agencies to identify opportunities for clients.
• Assist clients and employers with post-placement issues and ongoing employment needs.
• Monitor client job performance and wage levels; track metrics.
• Document client interactions in databases and assist with reporting.
• Collaborate with coworkers and partner organizations.
• Maintain relationships with service providers for client benefit.
• Travel as needed to serve the delivery area.
• Provide guidance or training as assigned.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Relationship building

Cross-cultural communication

Problem solving

Time management

Attention to detail

English proficiency

Driver's license

Education

Bachelor’s degree in social work or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook)

Job description

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 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.

Major Responsibilities

• Conduct intake, assessment and provide program orientation to clients eligible for employment services.
• Provide job readiness training and job search coaching and connect clients with job opportunities.
• Develop and cultivate long-term relationships with area employers and staffing agencies to identify appropriate employment opportunities for clients.
• 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 database(s) and assist with tracking and reporting as needed.
• Collaborate effectively with coworkers and partner organizations.
• Build and maintain relationships with area service providers for the benefit of clients.
• Use personal, insured vehicle and/or public transportation (where available) to travel and transport clients and materials as needed throughout the service delivery area.
• Provide task-specific guidance or training as assigned.
• Other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in social work or related field of study preferred.
• Work Experience: Relevant professional experience in workforce development field required; minimum of 1 year experience required, while two years of relevant experience is strongly preferred.
• Experience working with refugee and/or immigrant populations strongly preferred.
• Experience with job placement and job readiness training a plus.

Demonstrated Skills & Competencies

• Strong relationship building, diplomacy, and networking skills; ability to effectively build internal and external relationships.
• Demonstrated success working and communicating effectively in a multi-cultural 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.
• Proficient in English, both spoken and written; proficiency in language(s) spoken by our client group is desired; including Arabic, Burmese, Kinyarwanda, Spanish, Swahili, and Somali.
• 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.
• Valid driver’s license and access to a personal, insured vehicle.

Working Environment

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

Compensation

(Pay Rate: $21-$23/hr). 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.

Professional Standards

All International Rescue Committee workers must adhere to the core values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. Our Standards are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Safeguarding, Conflicts of Interest, Fiscal Integrity, and Reporting Wrongdoing and Protection from Retaliation. IRC is committed to take all necessary preventive measures and create an environment where people feel safe, and to take all necessary actions and corrective measures when harm occurs. IRC builds teams of professionals who promote critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity to deliver the best possible services to our clients.

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Benefits

IRC offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package. Highlights include 10 paid sick leave, 10 U.S. holidays, 20-25 generous paid time off based on role and tenure, medical insurance starting at $163/month, dental starting at $6.50/month, and vision starting at $5/month, flexible spending accounts (healthcare, dependent care, and commuter), a 403(b) retirement savings plan with employer match (immediate vesting) along with a non-elective employer contribution based on age and years of service (3-year vesting), disability and life insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offering confidential counseling and support services for employees and their families.

Equal Opportunity Employer

IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. The International Rescue Committee (IRC) helps people whose lives have been shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover and rebuild. We are trusted for our ability to reach people in the toughest places, put our clients at the center of everything we do, and - as an evidence-based organization - to relentlessly improve the impact we deliver for those we serve. If you’re ready to be part of a team that brings ingenuity, fortitude and optimism to making a lasting impact, we want to hear from you. The IRC Way, our code of conduct, is founded upon our core values of Integrity, Accountability, Service and Equality. These values unite IRC staff around the world and keep our programs firmly directed towards the well-being of our clients while meeting the expectations of our donors as responsible stewards of their resources.