Career Development Specialist

The Career Development Specialist supports refugees and immigrants in achieving economic self-sufficiency by providing individualized career development plans, job coaching, and supportive services. The role involves case management, program administration, and community outreach to facilitate sustainable career paths for clients.

Responsibilities

• Conduct pre-enrollment assessments with potential participants, build career development plans with strategic direction, detailing concrete and realistic activities, and provide ongoing case management.
• Provide one-on-one assistance to help clients prepare their resumes, search 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 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, and paid/unpaid work experience.
• Assist participants with networking and provide job application review.
• Accompany clients to job preparation activities, interviews, and job site tours. Coach 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.
• 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.
• Assist with the creation of program informational packets as well as marketing materials and presentations.
• Ensure timely and accurate compliance to all reporting requirements.
• Conduct outreach to clients eligible to enroll in career development programming through a variety of channels.
• Develop and cultivate relationships with employers who offer suitable job opportunities for clients with a special focus on apprenticeship options.
• Assist clients and employers with post-placement issues and continuing career development needs.
• Other duties as assigned.

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 fast-paced work environment, and maintain composure under pressure.
• Fluency in MS Office applications and database experience required.
• Willingness to work some evenings and/or weekends on a regular basis.
• Fluent in English, both spoken and written; multi-lingual ability preferred. Preferably in Spanish, French, Arabic, Dari, Farsi and/or Pashto.

Skills

• Career Development Planning
• Job Coaching
• Case Management
• Program Administration
• Community Outreach
• Client Counseling
• Workforce Programming
• Workplace Safety
• Adult Learning
• Cultural Competence
• English Language Proficiency
• Microsoft Office Suite
• Database Management
• Refugee Services
• Immigrant Services

Languages

English, Spanish, French, Arabic, Dari, Farsi, Pashto