Employment Assistant - Winchester, VA

Church World Service•Winchester, VA

About The Position

Imagine waking up every morning with the chance to change someone's life. Imagine knowing your efforts will benefit both your career and our neighbors around the world. At CWS, our team knows they are making a difference every day. Whether you're in our U.S.-based offices supporting refugees, asylees or unaccompanied children ... implementing hygiene initiatives in Cambodia or rebuilding projects in Central America ... or even connecting remotely from your home on fundraising campaigns, grant reports, or critical communications - you have the opportunity to work towards a world where everyone has food, a voice and a safe place to call home. Purpose The Employment Specialist offers support and employment services to refugees to help them reach financial self-sufficiency in the United States. Carries out the services of the CRS Employment program by assisting client to obtain and maintain employment that is consistent with the goals.

Requirements

B.A. or equivalent work experience in refugee resettlement or related field is required.
2 years' work experience required in refugee resettlement or other direct social services is desired.
Cultural sensitivity is essential.
Superior written and verbal communication skills are required.
The successful candidate must be computer literate, with proficiency in MS Office (Excel and Word) and internet applications required.
Fluency in English and Dari, Pashto and/or Arabic required.
Must have valid driver’s license and reliable personal vehicle.
Mileage accrued while executing work responsibilities is reimbursable by CWS.
Must complete motor vehicle record check.
Must be willing and able to travel.
The job will require reference checks, standard criminal background checks, and motor vehicle background checks.

Responsibilities

Interview, advise, and guide a diverse population of clients to ascertain employability; interprets and explains regulations, rules, policies, and procedures to clients; may determine eligibility for services; apprises clients rights, benefits, responsibilities, and obligations under program participation; ensures that applications and other forms are completed accurately and thoroughly.
Assess client’s education, work experience, skills, abilities, qualifications, and job interest.
Assess client readiness for job referral, on the job training, and/or support services.
Empower clients to formulate realistic yet ambitious employability plans and provide assistance in developing and implementing individual employment plans.
Provide individualized job development and job placement services to program participants.
Develop plan of action and counsel clients in areas such as job interview skills, expected behavior on the job, and proper hygiene.
Identify job opportunities suitable for clients, assist in filling out applications, set up interviews with potential employers, accompany clients to interviews, and follow up with employers until decisions are made.
Negotiate job advancements when warranted.
Document all contacts and services in client case files and maintain case note logs. In addition to documenting all services, record clients’ employment-related progress in case file, including compliance, job offers, all placements, job retention, public assistance usage, follow-up on placements, and possibilities of upgrades.
Complete all required reports. Documentation demands are rigorous.
Monitor and evaluate clients progress through program components; monitor service providers through reports and site visits to verify employment.
Work with clients to remove barriers to employment and realize the goal of family self-sufficiency.
Connect clients to in-house support and make referrals to external service providers.
Identify support services that may assist clients in becoming self-sufficient, such as ESL, transportation, immigration services, and childcare.
Assist clients with identifying vocational training, career laddering and apprenticeship programs related to their career goals and make referrals.
Offer interpretation and translation services to clients, as well as transportation to interviews and appointments as necessary.
Advocate on behalf of clients, and refugee-serving voluntary agencies.
Attend trainings and conferences as requested by supervisor.
Keep informed about refugee and immigrant issues, and available services to refugees, using current information to better identify and serve refugee clients.
Represent the program at meetings and speaking engagements relevant to the responsibilities of the position.
Perform all duties in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner.
Undertake other duties as assigned.
Work varied hours, including some night and weekend work.
Must have valid driver’s license and suitable vehicle for transporting clients.