Career & Employment Specialist

This job posting was opened on January 17th, 2025. Please note that we will be considering applications from internal employees exclusively for the first two weeks. After this period we will extend the opportunity to external candidates.

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 is a limited duration position until September 30, 2025 with the possibility of extension.

The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

Major Responsibilities:

• Develop and cultivate relationships with area employers and training providers to identify appropriate trainings and 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.
• Provide Career Mapping workshops and other Job Readiness skill development trainings to participants.
• Support clients in developing individualized career plans and implementing step by step strategies to reach their career goals.
• Monitor client progress through trainings and navigate resources to ensure successful completion.
• 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.
• Promote and actively participate in initiatives and efforts to build team engagement, inclusion and cohesion in the IRC San Jose office and work collaboratively with other Economic Empowerment team members and program.
• Foster ongoing learning, honest dialogue and reflection to strengthen safeguarding and to promote IRC values and adherence to IRC policies
• 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 and coordination with other IRC programs.

External: Training providers, employers, community resource providers, and funders.

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.
• Language proficiency in Ukrainian and/or Russian preferred.
• 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).

Compensation: Posted pay ranges apply to US-based candidates. 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.

Equal Opportunity Employer: We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

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, and 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.