Career Development Specialist

Connecticut Institute For Refu • Stamford, CT

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

At CIRI, a job is more than a paycheck—it's an opportunity to change lives. For over 100 years, the Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants (CIRI) has helped refugees, immigrants, survivors of trafficking, and other newcomers build safe, successful lives in Connecticut. We are seeking a compassionate, organized, and motivated Career Development Specialist to support Ukrainians and other newcomers as they navigate employment opportunities, career growth, and long-term self-sufficiency. If you are passionate about workforce development, enjoy helping people overcome barriers, and want to see the direct impact of your work every day, we'd love to hear from you.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in a related field such as Social Work, Psychology, Teaching, Anthropology, International Studies, Public Health, or a similar discipline
• At least two years of experience in employment services, workforce development, career coaching, or another client-facing employment role, and/or one year of experience working with vulnerable or underserved populations
• Strong organizational, communication, and time-management skills
• Ability to build rapport with clients from diverse cultural backgrounds
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and client database systems
• Reliable transportation, valid U.S. driver's license, and current auto insurance
• Flexibility to occasionally provide services outside traditional business hours

Nice To Haves

• Fluency in Ukrainian and/or Russian
• Experience working with refugees, immigrants, or other multicultural populations
• Knowledge of workforce development programs, career counseling, or employment services

Responsibilities

• Partner with clients to create and implement individualized service and career development plans
• Coordinate with case managers to identify employment opportunities that align with clients' goals and skills
• Guide clients through job applications, interviews, and hiring processes while promoting independence
• Provide coaching on U.S. workplace culture, professional expectations, communication, and job retention skills
• Identify educational opportunities, scholarships, certifications, and tuition assistance programs
• Collaborate with English Language Learning staff to develop creative solutions that address language barriers
• Work closely with CIRI's Youth and ELL teams to support clients' long-term career pathways
• Maintain accurate and timely case notes, client records, and data entry within CIRI's systems
• Assist with grant reporting and program data collection
• Develop an understanding of grant requirements and support the preparation of required reports and statistics
• Ensure documentation is complete, organized, and compliant with program standards

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Employer-paid life insurance
• Employer-paid long-term disability insurance
• 403(b) retirement plan
• 13 paid holidays annually
• 20 days of paid time off per year
• Commitment to work-life balance and employee wellness
• Eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program
• Medical (Anthem): Multiple plan options; base plan currently $35 per paycheck
• Vision (Mutual of Omaha): $60/year with $130 hardware allowance
• Dental (Mutual of Omaha): $500 deductible; $1,750 annual benefit
• Life Insurance: Employer-paid coverage equal to salary up to $100,000
• Voluntary Life Insurance: Available for employees and family members
• Long-Term Disability: Employer-paid coverage at 60% of earnings
• Identity Theft Protection: Optional employee-paid coverage

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level