Career Development Specialist

The Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization•Maywood Park, OR

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO) is a non-profit organization established in 1976 to serve immigrants, refugees, and the broader community in Portland, Oregon. Our mission is to welcome, serve and empower refugees, immigrants and people across cultures and generations to reach their full potential. The Refugee Employment Services (RES) Program prepares refugees for career success by providing comprehensive employment and training services including Pre-Employment & Work-Readiness training, resume support, barrier reduction, job placement, retention, and career planning services to help individuals integrate into the workforce and achieve self-sufficiency. The program staff work directly with employers to match clients to jobs that our business partners have available. Refugee Skills and Employment Services (RSE) envisions a future where every refugee is empowered with the skills and support needed to thrive in their new community. The Career Development Specialist, like Workforce Specialists in RES, will help program participants to establish short and long-term career goals, provide career coaching and connection to training, and assist with jobs search and employment retention. Additionally, this role will specialize in helping participants connect to training to advance their careers. The Career Development Specialist will assist participants with certification or recertification to allow participants to practice their profession in the U.S. They will provide connections to WorkSource and other resources to pay for training. They will strengthen existing partnerships with employers, training providers, and educational institutions while cultivating new collaborations to expand and enhance ramps to career pathways. The Career Development Specialist’s caseload will consist primarily of participants who are ready for and interested in training and advancement opportunities, but they will work with other RES clients as needed.

Requirements

Must possess a valid driver’s license and verification of current auto-insurance and have full use of an automobile during work hours
Bachelor’s degree required
1-2 years of experience is required
Experience in career coaching, employment services or workforce development, ideally working with immigrants or internationally trained professionals
Strong understanding of local job market trends, hiring processes, and credential recognition pathways

Nice To Haves

Ability to function in a positive manner in a demanding work environment, to demonstrate a high degree of flexibility, to respond to priorities and schedules that change frequently
Ability to meet multiple, sometimes conflicting deadlines
Strong report writing, editing, research and data experience
Strong analytical and decision-making abilities
Ability to deal with distressed and/or demanding clients and employees in an effective manner
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and make good judgments as it pertains to clients
Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality
Strong skills in multi-background, interpersonal communication and ability to work with refugee populations with an understanding of their needs and obstacles
Ability to communicate in a positive manner verbally, in writing, and by phone
Ability to communicate with a variety of personality types and levels of the organization as well as with people outside of the organization
Ability to listen for understanding and assist in problem solving
Be punctual, have good attendance, and be able to work flexible hours to meet the availability of clients
Ability to use basic office equipment, telephone, copy machine, fax machine, and computer
Knowledge of the local job market, placement counseling and concerns of employers

Responsibilities

Complete initial intake to determine participant’s eligibility, assessing participant’s needs and collecting information to create an Individual Employment Plan
Provide career coaching including basic skills development
Facilitate an ongoing career/employment plan with participants, including assisting the client in a plan to support themselves while receiving vocational training
Educate participants on career training and certification options
Assist participants in enrolling in training and applying for scholarships
Learn and maintain knowledge of short-term and longer-term vocational training and educational opportunities
Provide partner referrals and facilitate access to WorkSource centers
Coordinate vocational and on-the-job training service delivery, collaborating with local community colleges and WorkSource partners
Assist customers in navigating certification or recertification that can qualify them to practice their profession in the U.S.
Assist participants in finding employment in their target occupation
Maintain accurate documentation and track and record participant activities and outcomes
Maintain case notes and reporting
Conduct proactive outreach to eligible clients via phone calls, emails, community visits, and individual referrals to promote available program services
Refer participant to English Assessment, Mass Transit Training, Childcare Training and Pre-Employment English Training
Communicate with participant (by phone/by email/in person) on a regular basis to assure that the participant is working towards employment goals and that all employment issues are being addressed
Communicate with outside service providers to coordinate services for the participants.
Conduct job marketing and job searches for participants
Consult with employers regarding hiring concerns; develop strategies to retain clients in jobs
If needed, train and orient newly hired clients on behalf of the employer and provide on-site training specific to employer’s general policies and procedures, benefits, safety policies, and other areas that will assist in the retention of a client
Inform and communicate regularly with ODHS Family Coaches, resettlement agencies’ Case Managers, and other organizations, institutions and program partners on participant’s activities, progress, challenges, and job placements
Collaborate with internal teams and partner agencies to identify and connect with clients who may benefit from available employment services
Attend community events as needed to promote program offerings and enroll participants
Provide transportation to clients in personal vehicles as needed for clients to participate in certain employment-related activities. Career Development Specialist must meet IRCO and funder standards for driving record and vehicle condition.
Actively participate in relevant network meetings, training, regular internal IRCO meetings, and community engagement events and presentations.
Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned

Benefits

Many flexible working arrangements and schedule
Amazing opportunity to work with people who come from all over the world
Work that helps your community
3 to 6 weeks of PTO per year
401k match of over 100% on first 5%, immediate vesting
3% match for student loans or college savings
12 Paid Holidays and 1 Floating Holiday
Medical & Dental insurance options with 90% coverage for employee AND Families, no deductibles
Employer Paid Life, Short term, and Long-term Disability Insurance
Flexible spending accounts