Senior Employment Specialist

Description

Background:  IRC Charlottesville provides resettlement services to approximately 250 newly arriving refugees each year as well as ongoing support to refugees and asylees already in the community.  A dedicated staff of 17 professionals and 3 AmeriCorps members offers an array of programs including employment, education, family support, immigration and interpreter services.

 Scope of Work: The Senior Employment Specialist is responsible for managing the provision of services to assist refugees and other eligible immigrants to attain self sufficiency through employment.  He/She oversees the employment services team including an Employment Specialist and two Economic Empowerment AmeriCorps members.  The team provides services that include employment preparation, placement and follow-up for newly arrived refugee clients as well as career advancement services to support clients’ access to workforce training and professional recredentialing as a path to improved economic security.  This position reports to the Resettlement Manager.

Responsibilities:

• Developing comprehensive employment service plans for each employable adult.
• Providing both group and one-on-one intensive job readiness orientations that provide clients with the basic skills required to enhance their employability.
• Determining specific employment opportunities appropriate to clients and assisting clients in accessing these opportunities by guiding them through the hiring process.
• Assisting clients and employers as necessary with post placement issues and continuing employment needs.
• Developing and cultivating long term relationships with area employers in order to identify appropriate employment opportunities for clients.
• Providing guidance to previously resettled clients seeking career advancement services including access to workforce training, career mentoring, and recredentialing to support returning to a professional career.
• Ensuring timely and accurate compliance to all reporting requirements.
• Assist with the writing of grant proposals and program reports in support of employment services.
• Providing supervision and oversight to all members of the employment services team.
• Coordinating service delivery and work flow for employment services staff ensuring that all clients are adequately served in a timely manner.
• Providing intervention and counseling as appropriate in situations requiring special attention or to difficult clients.

Skills Required

• Undergraduate degree preferred.
• Minimum one year of demonstrated experience with the US job search process and the ability to effectively coach clients through the nuanced process of securing employment.
• Excellent communication skills, with fluency in written and spoken English. Bilingual ability in one of the predominant languages of the local client base is desired.
• Proven success achieving goals and working effectively with all levels of staff in a multicultural environment.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook).
• Valid driver’s license, reliable vehicle with current insurance, and the ability to travel regularly throughout the service delivery area.

Additional Info

Apply online at http://chm.tbe.taleo.net/chm03/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=IRC&cws=1&rid=14299