Youth Employment and Career Specialist

Catholic Charities of Louisville Inc • Louisville, KY

2d

About The Position

The Youth Employment and Career Specialist provides job, career, and college-readiness support to refugee youth ages 16–24. The position is divided between youth employment services and college and career readiness services. In the Youth Employment Program, the Specialist helps clients locate employment, address barriers to employability, and coordinate job-search and follow-up activities. The role also involves maintaining relationships with current employers and identifying new employers offering suitable part-time and summer opportunities for refugee youth.

In the college and career readiness program, the Specialist serves school-aged students and young adult refugees, working with the Youth Team to address barriers to academic and career success through skill-based workshops, field trips, and activities. The Specialist also collaborates with the Youth Team to raise community partners’ awareness of refugee youth. The position supports Catholic Charities of Louisville’s mission, vision, Catholic identity, and Welcome, Empower, and Strengthen values.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in Vocational Services, Social Work, Education, or a related field.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to relate to people from varied ethnic populations.
• Good organizational and research skills.
• Ability to multitask and be detail-oriented.
• Valid driver’s license, acceptable driving record, and willingness to use a personal vehicle to travel to locations within the service area.
• Proficient PC skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Ability to maintain the confidentiality of encountered information.
• Ability to read, write, and understand English.
• Ability to sit and stand for extended periods, work under pressure, travel frequently within the community, and accurately examine and analyze information.
• Good vision and hearing.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in job placement, youth programming, social work, or providing other services in the refugee community.
• Knowledge of a relevant language in addition to English.
• Public speaking experience.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with Employment Specialists to support youth job searches and placements, including identifying appropriate part-time and summer opportunities, providing job referrals, assisting with applications and interviews, and supporting pre-employment requirements.
• Coordinate and document employer outreach, focusing on businesses able to meet the needs of refugee youth participants.
• Maintain consistent communication with youth participants through accessible channels, including social media, text, and phone calls.
• Design, organize, and facilitate soft-skills training on employment topics such as digital communication, interview preparation, time management, and workplace expectations.
• Organize regular youth-development workshops and career-focused activities for mentoring participants and young adult refugees.
• Work directly with young adult refugees to provide opportunities to explore interests, gain knowledge, and build skills for long-term success.
• Develop and maintain collaborations with local community agencies and organizations offering youth-development services aligned with client needs and interests.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Youth Program Manager.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time