Career Development Specialist

Background:

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises, and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. At work in over 40 countries and 25 U.S. cities to restore safety, dignity and hope, the IRC leads the way from harm to home.

IRC San Diego’s Center for Financial Opportunity (CFO) is a collection of economic empowerment programs delivered in an evidence-based approach to ensure that individuals and families receive a comprehensive, tailored set of services to support initial self-sufficiency as well as economic mobility over time. CFO helps more than 5,000 unduplicated beneficiaries move towards self-sufficiency each year through integrated services that are designed to promote financial stability, including workforce development, small business development, digital inclusion, income support and financial counseling, as well as easy access to the Earned Income Tax Credit through IRC’s in-house tax assistance program.

Job Overview:

The Career Development Program promotes economic self-sufficiency for refugees and immigrants with barriers to achieving their career goals by connecting them with trainings and resources to enable them to move out of low-wage jobs and into sustainable career paths. The Career Development Specialist will work individually with clients to assess their eligibility and readiness for the program, create career development plans, schedule, and implement career development activities, prepare job applications, and obtain successful job placements. Since program participants often face barriers to entry into and completion of career development programming, the Career Development Specialist will provide supportive services for program participants. The needs of participants are dynamic, requiring flexibility, patience, and determination.

Responsibilities: Include, but are not limited to:

Case Management/Job Coaching and Support:

• Conduct eligibility and pre-enrollment assessments with potential participants, build career development plans with strategic direction, detailing actionable and realistic activities, and provide ongoing case management;

• Provide one-on-one assistance to help clients prepare their resumes during training period, look for appropriate job opportunities, and practice interview skills;

• Provide individual mentorship on resume writing, interview preparation, job search techniques, and other skills related to career advancement;

• Ensure the delivery of individualized and group coaching and instruction of advanced work readiness and other employability skills ;

• Support clients in identifying, enrolling, and completing vocational training activities such as certification attainment, apprenticeships, paid/unpaid work experience, and recertification or licensure;

• Assist participants with networking and help with job application review;

• Accompany clients to job preparation activities, interviews, and job site tours, coaching clients so they can attend these events independently in the future;

• Collaborate to provide comprehensive strength-based services to IRC clients through effective communication between team members and departments;

• Collaborate with American Job Centers for IRC client co-enrollment and support accessing WIOA training dollars and supportive services;

• Advocate for clients’ rights in the labor market by providing references and meeting with employers to educate them about the benefits of hiring refugees, asylees, and immigrants**.**

Program Administration:

• Assist with creation of program informational packets as well as marketing materials and presentations;
• Ensure timely and accurate compliance to all reporting requirements: document services provided and client outcomes in relevant case management databases; monitor and track client job performance and wage level; maintain accurate and up-to-date case files documenting client goals, activities, and services, and assist with grant applications and final reporting.

Community Outreach/Engagement:

• Conduct outreach to clients eligible to enroll into career development programming through a variety of channels;
• Develop and cultivate relationships with employers who offer suitable job opportunities for clients;
• Develop and cultivate relationships with training providers who offer flexible scheduling and design to accommodate the needs of IRC’s Career Program’s clients;
• Assist clients and employers as necessary with post-placement issues and continuing career development needs;
• Other duties as assigned.

Position Reports to: Senior Career Development Coordinator
Position directly supervises: Volunteers and Interns

Indirect Supervision: N/A
Other Internal and/or external contacts:

Internal: Collaborate closely with other departments where there is overlap in client caseload, including communication withother department staff. Coordinate with Finance and Development teams as needed.

External: Community-based organizations, employers, training providers, and workforce agencies.

Job Requirements:

• Undergraduate degree or relevant work experience;
• Interest in working in social services, employment, workforce programming, client counseling, or related area; at least one year experience preferred;
• Ability to work with adult learners from a variety of cultural and linguistic groups and with multiple levels of English language skill required; work or volunteer experience with refugee and immigrant populations and understanding of local refugee and immigrant communities desired;
• Knowledge of workplace safety practices and willingness to learn industry-specific practices;
• Able to think creatively and strategically to overcome barriers;
• Excellent verbal, and interpersonal communication skills;
• Highly organized, attentive to detail, responsible, and flexible: able to maintain responsibility for multiple tasks in the context of a diverse, fast-paced work environment, and maintain composure under pressure;
• Fluent in MS Office applications and database experience required;
• Willingness to work some evenings and/or weekends on a regular basis.

Working Environment:**

• A combination of standard office environment, remote work, and ‘field’ time within the service delivery area to perform the above outlined responsibilities;
• May require occasional weekend and/or evening work;
• Access to a reliable vehicle with valid driver license and auto insurance required; must be comfortable with driving agency vehicles, such as minivans;
• Schedule is Monday-Friday 8:30am-5pm.

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 requirement

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement: In accordance with IRC’s duty to provide and maintain a workplace that is free of known hazards and our commitment to safeguard the health of our employees, clients, and communities, IRC requires new hires to furnish proof of vaccination against COVID-19 in order to be considered for any in-office or hybrid positions. All IRC US offices require full vaccination to attend any in-office functions (e.g., meetings, trainings).

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusivity: IRC is committed to building a diverse organization and a climate of inclusivity. We strongly encourage applications from candidates who can demonstrate that they can contribute to this goal.

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 $145 per month, dental starting at $7 per month, and vision starting at $5 per month, FSA for healthcare, childcare, and commuter costs, a 403b retirement savings plans with up to 4.5% immediately vested matching contribution, plus a 3-7% base IRC contribution (3 year vesting), 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.