Employment Specialist - Bilingual Preferred

Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains • Albuquerque, NM

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains (LFSRM) is a nonprofit, human services agency dedicated to supporting children and families across the Rocky Mountain region. LFSRM is committed to inspiring community through its mission and values all people. The Refugee & Asylee programs at LFSRM assist individuals who have been uprooted by persecution and violence in their journey towards self-sufficiency. This is achieved through essential resettlement services including 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: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others' reactions and attempting to understand the personal and cultural reasons for their reactions.
• Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
• Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
• Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
• Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
• Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.
• Ability to work in Word, Excel, Outlook, and other applications.
• Must maintain a valid driver's license and carry personal auto liability insurance at the level of $100,000/300,000/100,000.
• Frequent travel with personal vehicle.
• May be required to transport clients in personal vehicle.
• Candidates with a high school diploma and two years of transferable work/volunteer experience may be considered.

Nice To Haves

• Arabic, Spanish, or Swahili bilingual preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assisting refugees to obtain employment in their new community by conducting an initial assessment, creating an employment plan, providing pre-employment coaching, assisting clients with all aspects of their job search, and maintenance and expansion of employer partners.
• Completing employment orientation and employment plans in collaboration with refugee clients, empowering them to set and achieve short- and long-term goals.
• Referring clients to appropriate training programs based on their 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 necessary supports to sustain employment, such as childcare, transportation assistance, or work clothing.
• Assessing client skills for particular jobs based upon employer needs and completing job applications.
• Transporting clients to employer job sites and hiring fairs to complete job applications and provide support through the screening and interview process.
• Following up with employers after applications or interviews.
• Researching and identifying new industries and employers that may offer employment opportunities for refugees.
• Maintaining contact with employers through methods such as site visits, telephone calls, newsletters, email, and hosting special events for employers.
• Determining ongoing eligibility and program compliance for cash assistance and transportation assistance, and distributing payments to eligible clients.
• Ensuring payments and disbursements are tracked in notes and client databases.
• Maintaining client records, including case notes, ESL attendance, and other documents demonstrating clients' progress toward career goals and compliance with program requirements.
• Conducting ongoing post-placement follow-up with employers to ensure successful employment outcomes and employer satisfaction.
• Providing intensive support for employed clients as necessary to promote job retention.
• Performing other duties as required.

Benefits

• Consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED