Career Development Specialist

The Career Development Specialist provides comprehensive case management, career coaching, and workforce navigation services to youth facing barriers to education and employment, including refugees, immigrants, and other opportunity youth. The role supports participants in developing career pathways through education, training, and employment aligned with their long-term goals.

Responsibilities

• Conduct outreach, eligibility screening, intake, and enrollment.
• Complete assessments and develop Individual Service Strategies (ISS).
• Provide ongoing career coaching, case management, and goal monitoring.
• Coordinate referrals and supportive services to address barriers to participation.
• Maintain regular contact with participants to promote engagement and successful outcomes.
• Deliver one-on-one and group instruction in work readiness, career exploration, job search, resume development, interviewing, and professional skills.
• Assist participants in identifying and securing employment, internships, apprenticeships, and other work-based learning opportunities.
• Provide post-placement coaching to support job retention and career advancement.
• Support enrollment and persistence in secondary school completion, postsecondary education, occupational training, and credential programs.
• Monitor participant progress and coordinate resources that promote educational success.
• Build partnerships with employers, training providers, schools, and community organizations to expand career opportunities for youth.
• Coordinate work-based learning experiences, hiring events, and employer engagement activities.
• Maintain accurate case files and document participant services, outcomes, and activities in required databases.
• Track performance metrics and ensure compliance with WIOA, funder, and IRC requirements.
• Participate in program planning, outreach, continuous quality improvement, and other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in social work or related field of study preferred.
• Relevant professional experience in the field of human services required; minimum of 3 years’ experience strongly preferred.
• Experience working with refugee and/or immigrant populations required.
• Strong relationship building, diplomacy, and networking skills; ability to effectively build internal and external relationships.
• Demonstrated success working and communicating effectively in a multi-cultural environment.
• Self-starter with excellent problem-solving skills combined with the proven ability to multi-task, prioritize duties, and manage time effectively.
• Attention to detail and accuracy in work product.
• Fluent in English, both spoken and written; proficiency in language(s) spoken by local refugee and immigrant populations is strongly preferred.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook); ability to use the internet and other digital tools for data entry, research and problem-solving purposes.
• Valid driver’s license and access to a personal, insured vehicle; ability to drive an IRC passenger van.

Skills

• Case Management
• Career Coaching
• Workforce Navigation
• Human Services
• Refugee Services
• Immigrant Services
• Relationship Building
• Diplomacy
• Networking
• Multicultural Communication
• Problem Solving
• Time Management
• Attention to Detail
• MS Word
• MS Excel
• Microsoft Outlook
• Data Entry
• Internet Research
• Driving License
• Passenger Van Driving

Languages

English