Employment Specialist

International Rescue Committee; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 36,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

10 sick days

10 U.S. holidays

20-25 paid time off

Medical insurance starting at $143 per

Dental starting at $6.50 per month

Vision starting at $5 per month

Flexible spending accounts

403b retirement plan with immediate v

Disability & life insurance

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

International Rescue Committee is seeking an Employment Specialist in San Jose to collaborate with the Economic Empowerment Team. You will manage employer relations, guide clients through hiring, and ensure successful job placements across programs, with a focus on refugees and underserved communities.

The role requires strong organizational skills, attention to detail and the ability to travel within the service area. This is a unionized position with an end date of September 30, 2027.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree, ideally in Social Work or equivalent field; comparable related work experience may be substituted.
• Minimum of 2 years providing direct services to underserved communities in human services.
• Prior experience working with refugee populations preferred.
• Experience in a non-profit or social services setting is an advantage.
• Attention to detail and ability to organize and track large amounts of information efficiently and accurately.
• Familiarity with employers and vocational training programs in San Jose desirable.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency with Word, Excel and Outlook is expected.

Responsibilities

• Develop and cultivate long-term relationships with area employers to identify employment opportunities for clients.
• Guide clients through the hiring process to access opportunities.
• Monitor job search activity and ensure client engagement with employers and program policies.
• Monitor job performance, wage levels and employer/employee satisfaction.
• Assist clients and employers with post-placement issues and ongoing employment needs.
• Ensure timely and accurate reporting to donors and stakeholders.

Skills

Communication skills

Driver's license

Education

Bachelor's degree in Social Work or related field

Tools

Word

Excel

Outlook

Job description

Job Overview

Under the supervision of the Employment Program Coordinator, the Employment Specialist will work together with the larger Economic Empowerment Team through an integrated approach to help refugees to thrive financially in the U.S. The Employment Specialist will be responsible for managing employer relations and ensuring job placements in the RSS, Matching Grant, and other San Jose Early Employment programs. This position is represented by the OPEIU union and subject to the terms and conditions of a collective bargaining agreement. This position has an end date of September 30, 2027.

Major Responsibilities

• Develop and cultivate long-term relationships with area employers to identify appropriate employment opportunities for clients.
• Determine specific employment opportunities appropriate to clients and assist clients in accessing these opportunities by guiding them through the hiring process.
• Monitor job search activity to ensure that clients make sufficient contact with employers and are complying with Employment Services Program policies.
• Monitor job performance, wage level and employer/employee satisfaction.
• Assist clients and employers as necessary with post placement issues and continuing employment needs.
• Ensure timely and accurate compliance to all reporting requirements.
• Provide intake, assessment and pre-employment/job readiness orientation to clients eligible for employment services.
• Document client participation and progress, adhering to grant requirements.
• Ensure accurate and timely reporting of career development services data to donors and all relevant parties.
• Assist clients at off-site job fairs and/or other employment related activities.
• Work collaboratively with other Economic Empowerment staff.
• Participate in all-staff/program meetings.
• Other duties as assigned.

Key Working Relationships

• Position Reports to: Employment Program Coordinator
• Indirect Reporting: Economic Empowerment Program Manager
• Other Internal and/or external contacts: Internal: Staff in Economic Empowerment programs.
• External: Community partners in Economic Empowerment programs.

Job Requirements

• Undergraduate degree, ideally in Social Work or an equivalent field of study. Comparable related work experience may be substituted.
• Demonstrated work experience (in addition to the above) in human services field, preferably in a non‑profit or social services agency environment.
• Experience should include a minimum of 2 years providing direct services to underserved communities.
• Prior experience working with refugee populations preferred.
• Experience in a non‑profit or social services setting is an advantage.
• Attention to detail and ability to organize and track large amounts of information efficiently and accurately.
• Familiarity with or association with employers and vocational training programs in San Jose highly desirable.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong computer skills, particularly Word, Excel, Outlook.
• Ability to work independently, be a self‑starter and maintain responsibility for multiple tasks.
• Proficiency in a refugee language such as Dari, Farsi, Pashto, Spanish, Tigrinya or Arabic is an asset.
• Valid driver’s license, reliable vehicle with current insurance, and the ability to travel regularly throughout the service delivery area.

Working Environment

A combination of standard office work environment, remote work, and ‘field’ time within the service delivery area to perform outlined responsibilities. May at times need to provide services outside of traditional work hours (evenings and weekends).

Updated US Benefits

We offer a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. In the US, these include:

• 10 sick days
• 10 US holidays
• 20-25 paid time off days depending on role and tenure
• medical insurance starting at $143 per month
• dental starting at $6.50 per month
• vision starting at $5 per month
• FSA for healthcare and commuter costs
• a 403b retirement savings plans with immediately vested matching
• disability & life insurance
• and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support counseling and care in times of crisis and mental health struggles

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
• 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

Compensation

($26.00 - $27.00). 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.

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.

Additional Information

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.

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