Employment Specialist
Church World Service, Inc.

Job Info

---

About CWS

Imagine waking up every morning with the chance to change someone's life. Imagine knowing your efforts will benefit both your career and our neighbors around the world. At CWS, our team knows they are making a difference every day. Whether you're in our U.S.-based offices supporting refugees, asylees or unaccompanied children ... implementing hygiene initiatives in Cambodia or rebuilding projects in Central America ... or even connecting remotely from your home on fundraising campaigns, grant reports, or critical communications - you have the opportunity to work towards a world where everyone has food, a voice and a safe place to call home.

Purpose

The Employment Specialist offers support and employment services to refugees to help them reach financial self-sufficiency in the United States.

Responsibilities

• Welcome and orient refugees to the community.
• Empower refugees to formulate realistic yet ambitious employability plans.
• Assist refugees to implement their employability plans.
• Provide individualized job development and job placement services to program participants. Develop plan of action and counsel clients in areas such as job interview skills, expected behavior on the job, and workplace hygiene.
• Identify job opportunities suitable for clients, assist in filling out applications, set up interviews with potential employers, accompany clients to interviews, and follow up with employers until decisions are made. Negotiate job advancements when warranted.
• Document all contacts and services in client case files and maintain case note logs. In addition to documenting all services, record clients' employment-related progress in case file, including compliance, job offers, all placements, job retention, public assistance usage, follow-up on placements, and possibilities of upgrades.
• Complete all required reports- Documentation demands are rigorous.
• Work with clients to remove barriers to employment and realize the goal of family self-sufficiency. Connect clients to in-house support and make referrals to external service providers.
• Identify support services that may assist clients in becoming self-sufficient, such as ESL, transportation, immigration services, and child care.
• Assist clients with identifying training and apprenticeship programs related to their career goals and make referrals.
  Offer interpretation and translation services to refugee clients, as well as transportation to interviews and appointments as necessary. (Compensation is paid by CWS for mileage when using personal vehicle.)
• Advocate on behalf of refugees, and refugee-serving voluntary agencies.
  Attend trainings and conferences as requested by supervisor.
• Keep informed about refugee and immigrant issues, and available services to refugees, using current information to better identify and serve refugee clients.
  Represent the program at meetings and speaking engagements relevant to the responsibilities of the position.
• Perform all duties in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner.
• Undertake other duties as assigned.
• Work varied hours, including some early morning, night and weekend work.
• Must have valid driver's license and suitable vehicle for transporting clients.

Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience in lieu of degree

Experience: 2 years of previous work experience in refugee resettlement or other direct social services is required. Cultural sensitivity is essential.

Other Skills: Excellent cross cultural and diplomatic skills are required. The ideal candidate will be able to navigate complex situations with multiple players, while respecting the dignity and autonomy of refugee clients.

Special Requirements

• Must have valid driver's license and reliable personal vehicle. Milage accrued while executing work responsibilities is reimbursable by CWS.
• Must complete motor vehicle record check.
• Must be willing and able to travel.
• Background check required.

Benefits

CWS offers a competitive benefits package that includes:
- 403 (b) Retirement Plan
- Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
- Generous Paid Time Off (18 Paid Days Off; 24 Days after 2 Years)
- 14 Official Holidays
- 12 Sick Days Off (Accrued monthly)
- Life Insurance and AD&D
- Long Term and Short-Term Disability
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Health Savings Account
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Commuter Benefits

This job has expired.