Career Development Specialist, NVPPA

International Rescue Committee•Abilene, TX

9d•$19 - $28•Remote

About The Position

The Career Development Specialist is the primary point of contact for participants in the National Virtual Program for Professional Advancement (NVPPA), a nationwide, fully virtual program serving newly arrived refugees. Working remotely with participants across the country by phone, video, and online tools, the Specialist guides participants from intake and eligibility verification through development and approval of a Professional Advancement Plan (PAP). Participants may pursue career goals through training, credential evaluation and recertification, job placement support, or other approved pathways, including eligible vehicle purchases. The position coordinates with IRC’s Economic Empowerment Technical Unit, administrative and job development staff, IRC offices, resettlement agencies, and other service providers. The Specialist supports smooth transitions between services, helps ensure financial assistance requests align with approved plans and ORR requirements, and maintains accurate case records and documentation in Efforts to Outcomes (ETO) in accordance with ORR reporting requirements and IRC financial controls. The role is fully virtual and supports participants across states and time zones.

Requirements

1–2 years of demonstrated experience in a human services field; nonprofit or social services experience is preferred.
Strong written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to build rapport with clients by phone and video.
Ability to deliver services remotely to clients across states and time zones, protect client confidentiality and sensitive documents, and work independently as part of a fully virtual team.
Experience managing a high-volume caseload, with strong organization, prioritization, time management, and follow-through.
Ability to build and maintain productive internal and external relationships.
Ability to research and navigate workforce, education, and social service systems in unfamiliar local markets.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office, video conferencing, remote collaboration tools, and database-based tracking and reporting.
Commitment to anti-racism, ongoing learning, and equitable service to all eligible clients.
Fluency in spoken and written English.

Nice To Haves

Undergraduate degree in Social Work or a related field.
Experience in workforce development, career coaching, or case management.
Lived experience as a refugee or immigrant.
Experience with Efforts to Outcomes (ETO).
Familiarity with credential evaluation, professional licensing, or recertification pathways.
Fluency in an additional language relevant to current refugee populations.

Responsibilities

Conduct virtual outreach, intake, and enrollment for eligible participants, including verification of eligibility documentation.
Coordinate with IRC offices, resettlement agencies, and local partners to identify and connect with eligible participants.
Complete a skills assessment with each participant and develop an individualized Professional Advancement Plan (PAP) defining their career goal, pathway, and planned use of direct financial assistance.
Review each PAP with the participant, provide feedback on the career goal, and confirm that proposed use of funds meets ORR eligible-use requirements.
Provide ongoing phone- and video-based career navigation to help participants access training, credential evaluation and recertification, and other approved supports.
Research career advancement, certification, and vocational education opportunities across state and local labor markets.
Connect participants to resources and services within IRC and their local communities.
Maintain working knowledge of credential evaluation services and state licensing requirements in high-demand fields, and manage a caseload of participants pursuing those pathways.
Coordinate with the Economic Empowerment Technical Unit, administrative staff, and job development staff to support transitions between navigation, training, and placement services and ensure financial assistance requests align with approved PAPs.
Coordinate with other service providers, including PIR providers and Matching Grant employment specialists, to support co-enrollment and avoid duplication of services.
Maintain accurate and timely case files in ETO, including documentation and service and outcome data required for ORR reporting.
Ensure documentation for each financial assistance request is complete before submission and consistent with IRC financial controls.

Benefits

10 paid sick leave days.
10 U.S. holidays.
20–25 paid time off days, based on role and tenure.
Medical insurance starting at $163 per month.
Dental insurance starting at $6.50 per month.
Vision insurance starting at $5 per month.
Flexible spending accounts for healthcare, dependent care, and commuter expenses.
403(b) retirement savings plan with employer match and immediate vesting.
Non-elective employer retirement contribution based on age and years of service, with three-year vesting.
Disability insurance.
Life insurance.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with confidential counseling and support services for employees and their families.