Refugee Employment Services (RES) Operations Specialist

Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization; Portland (OR); Hybrid; USD 52,000 - 58,000; Part time

Job summary

Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO) in Portland, Oregon, seeks an RES Operations Specialist to provide essential clerical and data management support for the Refugee Employment Services (RES) program. The role aids the RES Coordinator and team in managing referrals, documentation, and case tracking to help refugees progress toward employment and self-sufficiency.

The position emphasizes accuracy, confidentiality, and collaboration with multilingual colleagues.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field.
• Minimum 2 years of office support experience.
• Professional customer service and telephone etiquette skills required.
• Ability to type 40 words per minute.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite including Word, Excel, Access, and Outlook.
• Outgoing, personable, creative and excited to work in a multi-cultural, multi-lingual environment.
• Excellent writing and language skills.
• Must be able to communicate information and ideas in written and video format.

Responsibilities

• Track completion of the steps in the program from referral to case closure.
• Ensure effective communication between team members and completion of assignments in a timely manner
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records in the Apricot360 database, including data entry and management
• Review various immigration documents to determine program eligibility
• Assign client cases to Workforce Specialists based on caseload distribution, language skills, and ethnicity
• Track referral requests; maintain lists of received, pending, and assigned cases
• Regularly communicate with workforce specialists and other internal and external case workers regarding client needs and case updates
• Gather and compile professional-level correspondence and documentation, ensuring confidentiality where required
• Maintain accurate records of participant activities, program outcomes, and compliance documentation
• Verify that client data complies with organizational policies, funder, and other regulatory requirements
• Compose and type correspondence, reports, forms, organizational charts, and spreadsheets for the leadership team and program partners; draft reports for the funders
• Assist Program Coordinator in developing and updating program materials, forms, and resources to reflect changes and improvements
• Perform various office and administrative tasks
• Assist in scheduling meetings, appointments, or operational activities, ensuring all relevant parties are informed
• Support the RES leadership in managing special projects as assigned, including tracking progress and reporting on outcomes
• Adhere to IRCO and funder policies and procedures
• Assist team members when necessary and perform other tasks as assigned

Skills

Typing 40 wpm

MS Office proficiency

Customer service

Written communication

Multilingual teamwork

Organizational skills

Professional demeanor

Education

Bachelor’s degree in relevant field

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

Access

Outlook

Job description

Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO) is a non-profit organization established in 1976 to serve immigrants, refugees, and the broader community in Portland, Oregon. Our mission is to welcome, serve and empower refugees, immigrants and people across cultures and generations to reach their full potential. Find out more at www.irco.org.

Job Type

Part-time, Temporary

Position

Refugee Employment Services (RES) Operations Specialist

Job Class/Grade

On Call/Hourly/Grade 10

Wage

Starting at $25.74 per year based on experience

FLSA; EEO; WC

Non-Exempt; Professional; 8864

Locations

IRCO Main Office, 10301 NE Glisan St Portland OR 97220,
Hybrid schedule/On-site

Number of Positions

(1)

Apply At

www.irco.org

Status

Oncall/ Casual without Benefits
(Interim Position; Limited duration through January 15, 2027)

Program(s)

Refugee Employment Services (RES)

Sector

Workforce & Refugee Services / Workforce

Requirements

English fluency required, bilingual in Somali, Dari, Ukrainian,
Russian, Spanish, Arabic is preferred

This job announcement is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed in this job. This is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required.

Program Summary

The Refugee Employment Services (RES) Program prepares refugees for career success by providing comprehensive employment and training services including Pre-Employment & Work-Readiness training, resume support, barrier reduction, job placement, retention, and career planning services to help individuals integrate into the workforce and achieve self-sufficiency. The program staff work directly with employers to match clients to jobs that our business partners have available. RES envisions a future where every refugee is empowered with the skills and support needed to thrive in their new community.

Position Summary

The Refugee Employment Services (RES) Operations Specialist offers essential clerical and data management support to the RES Coordinator and the team. The Refugee Employment Services program delivers a range of comprehensive employment and training services, including reducing barriers to employment, job search assistance, placement, retention strategies, and career planning.

Essential Functions

• Track completion of the steps in the program from referral to case closure.
• Ensure effective communication between team members and completion of assignments in a timely manner
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records in the Apricot360 database, including data entry and management
• Review various immigration documents to determine program eligibility
• Assign client cases to Workforce Specialists based on caseload distribution, language skills, and ethnicity
• Track referral requests; maintain lists of received, pending, and assigned cases
• Regularly communicate with workforce specialists and other internal and external case workers regarding client needs and case updates
• Gather and compile professional-level correspondence and documentation, ensuring confidentiality where required
• Maintain accurate records of participant activities, program outcomes, and compliance documentation
• Verify that client data complies with organizational policies, funder, and other regulatory requirements
• Compose and type correspondence, reports, forms, organizational charts, and spreadsheets for the leadership team and program partners; draft reports for the funders
• Assist Program Coordinator in developing and updating program materials, forms, and resources to reflect changes and improvements
• Perform various office and administrative tasks
• Assist in scheduling meetings, appointments, or operational activities, ensuring all relevant parties are informed
• Support the RES leadership in managing special projects as assigned, including tracking progress and reporting on outcomes

Secondary Functions

• Adhere to IRCO and funder policies and procedures
• Assist team members when necessary and perform other tasks as assigned

Requirements

Education & Experience

Minimum Job Specific Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field
• Minimum 2 years of office support experience
• Professional customer service and telephone etiquette skills required
• Ability to type 40 words per minute
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite including Word, Excel, Access, and Outlook.
• Must be outgoing, personable, creative and excited to work in a multi-cultural, multi-lingual environment
• Excellent writing and language skills
• Must be able to communicate information and ideas in written and video format
• Must be able to photocopy, scan, email, and organize files and materials
• Must be able to compose and type reports, forms, organizational charts, spreadsheets, and related materials

Physical, Mental, & Environmental Requirements

• Hybrid setting job
• Physical: Position requires little physical effort such as lifting, carrying, or constant movement, but does allow for movement needed to complete work tasks
• Mental: There is minimal variation in tasks. The job holder is free to determine in which order tasks are completed, but cannot choose not to complete a task
• Environment: This level has a work environment that is well protected, with virtually no hazards or obstacles. There is very little element of personal risk or hazard. Job conditions are stable, usually well managed, and very comfortable.
• Schedule: The work schedule is stable and does not fluctuate.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Positions at this (Lead) level are responsible for daily work provided to staff/volunteers in similar job functions at comparable or subordinate levels. Positions are not responsible for hiring, firing, disciplinary actions, etc.

Required Engagement

Engage fully in recommended professional development, as well as other assigned or required training activities. This engagement can also include participation in optional activities that embrace IRCO’s mission, vision, and values-based initiatives.

IRCO is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any characteristics protected by State and Federal law. We will make reasonable accommodations to meet our obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and state disability laws.