WorkSource Express Center Career Specialist

IRCO; Portland (OR); Hybrid; USD 44,000 - 53,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid schedule

Full-time with benefits

Job summary

IRCO is hiring a WorkSource Express Center Career Specialist in Portland, Oregon. This full-time, 1.0 FTE position with a hybrid schedule focuses on delivering training services, ITA scholarship reviews, and job placement support for diverse clients.

The role requires a bachelor's degree or equivalent, at least 2 years of experience, and the ability to pass a background check. Collaboration with Central City Concern and WSPM is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Minimum 2 years of work experience.
• Ability to pass criminal background check.

Responsibilities

• Serve a diverse client pool and promote WorkSource Portland Metro services.
• Assist with WorkSource registration, WIOA documentation, and referrals to meet client needs.
• Coordinate with Central City Concern staff to support Employment Access Center clients.
• Develop workshops and resources for Express Center participants and staff.
• Guide and coach participants to create and update career/training plans.

Skills

Computer proficiency

Criminal background check

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Job description

Description

The 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.

POSITION: WorkSource Express Center Career Specialist

JOB CLASS/GRADE: Specialist 1/Grade 8

WAGE: Starting at $48,600 per year based on experience

FLSA; EEO; WC: Non-Exempt; Professional; 8864

LOCATIONS: N/E WorkSource, 30 N Webster St. Suite E, Portland OR 97217 and

Central City Concern, 2 NW 2nd Ave., Portland OR 97209

Hybrid schedule

FTE; FT/PT; STATUS: 1.0 FTE; Full-Time with Benefits; Regular

NUMBER OF POSITIONS: (1)

STATUS: Full-Time with Benefits

PROGRAM(S): WorkSource

SECTOR/DIVISION: Workforce Development/Workforce and Employment Services

REQUIREMENTS: English required, bilingual preferred. Pass criminal background check.

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/Department Summary

IRCO’s Workforce Development Sector provides career coaching, career services, and training to youth and adults so that they gain living wages and become empowered through their careers. The WorkSource N/NE Center is part of IRCO’s larger Workforce Development Sector and plays an instrumental role in providing training scholarships, career services, and workshops to both the communities IRCO serves and the larger Portland Metro community.

Position Summary

The WorkSource Express Center Career Specialist is responsible for providing training services and support to clients of various backgrounds and skill levels at both the WorkSource Express Center located within Central City Concern’s Employment Access Center office space and WorkSource N/NE. This individual connects and refers Employment Access Center customers to the WorkSource Portland Metro (WSPM) system.

The focus of both the Express Center and the WorkSource Center (WSC) is on developing workforce skills, career planning support, training support, and workshop provision, connecting customers to services, Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA) documentations, Individual Training Account (ITA) scholarship application review, post training follow-up and job placement support.

In addition, the WorkSource Express Center Career Specialist works closely with Central City Concern workforce staff to coordinate services.

Essential Functions

• Serve a customer pool from various backgrounds and be an effective ambassador for WorkSource Portland Metro services (WSPM) in the Downtown area and at the Central City Concern Express Center.
• Operate in the Express Center and in the WorkSource Center N/NE assisting with WorkSource registration, Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA) documentation, resource room assistance, and recommendations/referrals to meet customers’ needs.
• Coordinate with Central City Concern employment staff to best support clients in the Employment Access Center (Express) location.
• Develop workshops and resources as needed for the Express Center participants and Central City Concern staff.
• Guide participants on use of WorkSource services and assess needs for career and/or training plan development plans.
• Coach participants to create a career plan that will fit their specific goals, needs, and skills to update their skills or retrain them for the current labor market.
• Provide technical assistance as needed to help customers work through WorkSource registration process and fund enrollment.
• Review and verify participant readiness for training opportunities, assist with the Individual Training Account (ITA) scholarship process, and review applications for training scholarships.
• Facilitate support services to help participants overcome barriers to participation in WorkSource services and employment as defined by the regional program standards.
• Connect individuals to community resources in the Portland Metro, professional skill development and training opportunities as well as resources that can provide needed wrap around services to customers.
• Refer WorkSource participants to Aligned Partner Network organizations and WIOA funded Youth Workforce System providers and other WorkSource programs as appropriate.
• Support customers throughout their trainings with regular check-ins. Create plans for support as needed when obstacles arise.
• Follow up with training outcomes of customers awarded training scholarships and collect the required accreditation documents like certificates, diplomas, and others.
• Assist customers with finding employment by working on work readiness skills, job search skills, resume, interviewing, job search skills, sharing job leads with customers and facilitating employer networking where appropriate.
• Follow up with enrolled participants to capture employment information and reconnect them to WorkSource Centers if additional services are needed.
• Attract additional customers, increase engagement, and facilitate access for the hard‑to‑reach population.
• Develop and maintain collaborative working relationships between the staff, client services, WSPM programs, and the funding agencies.
• Participate in a weekly training scholarship meeting.
• Gather, compile and maintain current labor market data to provide information to clients seeking advice on the current labor market and projected employment opportunities.
• Conduct regular workshops for customers as outlined by monthly workshop schedules and collect customer feedback for all workshops conducted.
• Coordinate closely with and participate in regular meetings with the WorkSource N/NE team and Worksystems.
• Accurately and professionally maintain case files. Write detailed case notes and outcome reports.
• Document service and performance data in I-Trac database.
• Track program/grant required statistics and summarize in report form.
• Verify customers' eligibility for SNAP E&T program services monthly.
• Gather and report participant success stories.
• Assist with other WorkSource duties and tasks as needed.

Secondary Functions

• Attend required program training as recommended by the center.
• Maintain current knowledge of program policies and procedures.
• If needed, deliver WorkSource services at the Express Center located within Central City Concern as an extension of the WSPM Center's offerings. This may include, but is not limited to, delivery of one‑on‑one services, WIOA documentation, resource room assistance and recommendations to additional WorkSource services and programs in response to customer need.
• Participate in regularly scheduled joint program meetings with partners and/or program orientations, as required.
• Perform other related duties as required by the WorkSource Center.
• Capable of meeting multiple, including conflicting deadlines.
• Competent at maintaining a high level of confidentiality.
• Ability to work flexible hours to meet the availability of clients.

Requirements

Education & Experience

MINIMUM JOB SPECIFIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of training and experience
• Minimum 2 years of work experience
• Ability to use a computer proficiently, especially Microsoft Office products
• Ability to pass criminal background check

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in the WorkSource System or in Workforce Development.
• Skilled in record keeping and case management systems.
• Experience in conducting training and workshops.
• Knowledge of vocational counseling and career coaching for individuals with barriers to employment.
• Proficient in facilitating scholarship processing.
• Knowledge of the local job market and concerns of private employers.

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 regular variation in tasks and the job holder must decide which tasks to complete as well as the order in which tasks are completed.
• 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 level are not responsible for any supervisory functions or responsibilities but may occasionally be asked to orient and/or train new employees or volunteers.

What We Offer

• Many flexible working arrangements and schedule
• Amazing opportunity to work with people who come from all over the world
• Work that helps your community
• 3 to 6 weeks of PTO per year
• 401k match of over 100% on first 5%, immediate vesting
• 3% match for student loans or college savings
• 12 Paid Holidays and 1 Floating Holiday
• Medical & Dental insurance options with 90% coverage for employee AND Families, no deductibles
• Employer Paid Life, Short term, and Long-term Disability Insurance
• Flexible spending accounts

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.