Employment Specialist - Bilingual Preferred

Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains•Las Cruces, NM

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains (LFSRM) is a nonprofit, human services agency dedicated to providing support to children and families across the Rocky Mountain region. LFSRM is a welcoming agency that values all members of our communities. The Refugee & Asylee programs at LFSRM assist individuals who have been uprooted by persecution and violence in their journey towards self-sufficiency. This includes essential resettlement services such as case management, employment assistance, housing support, school registration, cultural orientation, and referrals to internal and external services for English language acquisition, health and mental health needs, employment, and economic development. LFSRM collaborates with national and local organizations to provide the necessary services and resources for newly arrived Refugees to achieve rapid self-sufficiency, integrate into their new communities, and thrive.

Requirements

Knowledge of currently available community resources, services, and supports, and ability to connect individuals or families to appropriate resources.
Skills and sensitivity in working with individuals and families from a variety of ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
Familiarity with or ability to follow practice standards, including applicable local, state and federal regulations and guidance, and contractual requirements.
Experience with crisis management, problem solving, and mediation best practices.
Ability to communicate professionally and cooperate with colleagues, other professionals, community partners, and other individuals involved in the care and coordination of services.
Ability to maintain high quality, thorough, and timely documentation and records of activities, services, and efforts.
Active Listening skills.
Social Perceptiveness.
Complex Problem Solving skills.
Critical Thinking skills.
Reading Comprehension skills.
Writing skills.
Service Orientation.
Ability to work in Word, Excel, Outlook, and other applications.
Must maintain a valid driver's license.
Must carry personal auto liability insurance at the level of $100,000/300,000/100,000.
Frequent travel with personal vehicle required.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual preferred.
Associate degree or two years of college preferred.
Candidates with a high school diploma and two years of transferable work/volunteer experience may be considered.

Responsibilities

Conducting an initial assessment of refugee clients.
Creating an employment plan for refugee clients.
Providing pre-employment coaching to refugee clients.
Assisting clients with all aspects of their job search.
Maintenance and expansion of employer partners to ensure diverse employment opportunities for refugee clients.
Completing employment orientation and employment plans in collaboration with refugee clients.
Referring clients to appropriate training programs based on interests, education, work experience, and career goals.
Providing pre-employment skills training and job readiness coaching, including resume creation, job search strategies, job application completion, and interview preparation.
Providing public transportation orientation and training.
Providing referrals and coordination for client support systems to sustain employment (e.g., childcare, transportation assistance, work clothing).
Assessing client skills for specific jobs based on employer needs and completing job applications.
Transporting clients to employer job sites and hiring fairs.
Following up with employers after applications or interviews.
Researching and identifying new industries and employers for refugee employment opportunities.
Maintaining contact with employers through site visits, phone calls, newsletters, email, and special events.
Determining ongoing eligibility and program compliance for cash and transportation assistance, and distributing payments.
Tracking payments and disbursements in notes and client databases.
Maintaining client records, including case notes, ESL attendance, and other progress documents.
Conducting ongoing post-placement follow-up with employers to ensure successful employment outcomes and employer satisfaction.
Providing intensive support for employed clients to promote job retention.
Performing other duties as required.