Economic Empowerment Specialist

International Rescue Committee•Oakland, CA

7d•$26 - $27•Hybrid

About The Position

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future. The IRC in Northern California was established in 1975 in response to the needs of the growing refugee population. Over the past 40 years the IRC has resettled nearly 60,000 clients in Northern California. Originally focused on reception and placement the IRC provides a range of services including economic empowerment, immigration, community gardening, and case management for victims of trafficking. IRC’s Economic Empowerment programming focuses on connecting individuals to employment opportunities in an effort to lead them down the path of self-sufficiency. This is accomplished through a combination of employment services, financial education and coaching, and access to public benefits and income supports. Job Overview: The Economic Empowerment Specialist (EES) supports Limited-English-Proficient CalWORKs and RCA clients participating in the Alameda County LEP, VESL, and Employment Services (ES) Programs. This position is responsible for completing county-mandated intakes, appraisals, and assessments; enrolling clients into VESL and/or ES activities; monitoring monthly participation; and submitting accurate and timely reporting to the county. The Specialist provides one-on-one job coaching, employment preparation, and resource navigation while ensuring full compliance with IRC and county program requirements. The role requires strong communication and coordination with Alameda County Employment Counselors, partner schools, and IRC internal departments.

Requirements

Undergraduate degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience.
Minimum two years of direct services experience preferred.
Experience completing intakes, assessments, or case management in a social service, workforce, or educational setting preferred.
Strong understanding of job search processes, workplace norms, and employer expectations; familiarity with the East Bay job market preferred.
Experience working with immigrant, refugee, or LEP populations.
Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to multitask and manage deadlines.
High digital literacy (Outlook, Microsoft Office Suite, Teams, Box/Dropbox, and web-based databases).
Strong communication skills, verbal and written.
Fluency in English required; bilingual abilities in Dari/Farsi, Pashto, Spanish, Arabic, Tigrinya, Russian, or Ukrainian highly preferred.
Valid driver’s license, reliable insured vehicle, and willingness to travel throughout Alameda County.

Responsibilities

Client Enrollment & Intake • Conduct Introductory Calls followed by Orientation, Appraisal, and Assessment (Intake) appointments for all referred LEP/VESL/ES clients.
Collect and record all required onboarding documents, assessments, and county-specific forms.
Determine and enroll clients into the appropriate activity track (VESL, ES, or dual enrollment) based on English proficiency, goals, and county criteria.
Maintain timely and accurate case notes in both the IRC database (ETO/Caseload system) and the Alameda County database (CalSAWs or other required platforms).
Ongoing Case Management & Monthly Monitoring • Conduct monthly follow-ups with all active clients to verify program participation, collect attendance, and address barriers.
Communicate regularly with Alameda County Employment Counselors regarding client participation, progress, and any compliance concerns.
Ensure monthly attendance reports, CASAS scores, and activity verifications are submitted to the county on time.
Provide clients with referrals and resources within IRC (Immigration, Financial Coaching, Health & Wellness, etc.) and to external community-based partner agencies including adult schools, community colleges, workforce programs, and other service providers.
Employment Support • Provide one-on-one job coaching, including workplace expectations, resume development, job search skills, mock interviews, and career navigation.
Coordinate and lead job readiness workshops aligned with LEP/ES program expectations.
Identify appropriate job opportunities and guide clients through the hiring process when they are job-ready.
Support retention services by following up with employers and clients to address post-placement issues.
Maintain relationships with local employers and community partners to create pathways for training, volunteer work experience, and employment opportunities.
VESL Coordination • Refer clients to VESL programs at adult schools and community colleges based on location, English level, and client preference.
Coordinate CASAS testing appointments and ensure scores are properly submitted to IRC and county staff.
Follow up on monthly attendance from adult schools/community colleges and ensure compliance with participation requirements.
Travel & Field Work • Travel regularly to IRC’s main and satellite offices—Fremont, Hayward, Oakland, Livermore, or others as needed—to conduct client intakes, assessments, and in-person meetings.
Conduct occasional home visits or field-based appointments when programmatically required.
Documentation, Reporting & Compliance • Ensure accurate and timely completion of all county and IRC reporting requirements.
Maintain organized digital and physical files in compliance with IRC and county audit standards.
Monitor clients with county-mandated participation requirements and ensure any non-compliance is communicated and documented appropriately.
Team & Cross-Agency Collaboration • Coordinate closely with IRC’s Economic Empowerment team, VESL referral partners, and community-based social adjustment agencies for clients with additional needs.
Participate in staff meetings, trainings, and required county coordination meetings.
Assist in onboarding and supervising program interns and volunteers.
Other Duties As Assigned • Support special projects, pilot initiatives, and cross-department collaboration as needed.

Benefits

10 sick days
10 US holidays
20-25 paid time off days depending on role and tenure
medical insurance starting at $163 per month
dental starting at $6.50 per month
vision starting at $5 per month
FSA for healthcare and commuter costs
a 403b retirement savings plans with immediately vested matching
disability & life insurance
an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support counseling and care in times of crisis and mental health struggles.