Employment Specialist

IRC Background: The mission of the International Rescue Committee (IRC) is to help people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover and gain control of their future. Founded in 1933, the IRC has a presence in over 40 countries and 27 offices in the United States; the IRC leads the way from harm to home. IRC opened an office in Seattle in 1976 and provides a continuum of services including intensive case management, employment, and economic empowerment services, immigration assistance, health and wellness programming, and education support to refugee and immigrant families in Washington State. IRC Seattle is committed to providing trauma-informed, equitable, and accessible services and maintaining and evolving a diverse, inclusive, and supportive workplace.

Job Overview:

The Employment Specialist is responsible for effectively administering services aimed at attaining self-sufficiency through employment for refugees and immigrants who are new to the U.S. Under the supervision of the Early Employment Program Coordinator, the Employment Specialist provides case management to program participants and works closely with employers, community organizations, service providers, and other IRC staff to facilitate job readiness and job placement among program participants. The position is also responsible for documenting casework activities and outcomes and supporting program compliance.

Major Responsibilities:

Case Management Services

• Provide intensive employment-focused case management to program participants
• Facilitate intake, assessment, and pre-employment orientation for individuals eligible for IRC employment services
• Develop comprehensive employment and self-sufficiency plans for each employable adult and service plans for family members
• Assist program participants in creating a budget and offer strategies for budget improvements
• Support and coordinate with Provision of both group and one-on-one intense job readiness workshops that provide program participants with basic skills required to support employability in the U.S.
• Identify specific employment opportunities appropriate for individual participants and assist participants in pursuing these opportunities by guiding them through the application, interview, and hiring process
• Maintain detailed and timely case notes and documentation throughout the service period
• Monitor and document job performance, wage level, and employer/employee satisfaction post job placement for reporting and compliance purposes

Employer Relations

• Develop and cultivate strong relationships with area employers in order to develop and identify appropriate employment opportunities for program participants
• Provide participants and employers with post-placement support, as needed
• Compliance Documentation
• Monitor and track participant job performance and wage levels as required by program funding
• Gather required documentation and data for case files throughout service period and to support case closeout procedures
• Ensure timely and accurate compliance to all reporting requirements, including database management, case noting, and file maintenance
• Team/Office Participation
• Work as part of a team to provide comprehensive, strength-based services to IRC participants through coordination of cases and effective communication between team members and departments
• Participate in all program meetings, and staff development and wellness activities
• Comply with all policies, procedures, and protocols of the agency
• Other duties as assigned

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to: Early Employment Program Coordinator

Indirect Reporting: IRC Seattle Employment Program Manager

Other Internal and/or external contacts:

Internal**:** IRC Seattle Resettlement team, IRC Seattle Economic Empowerment team, other IRC Seattle program teams, IRC HQ early employment network

External**:** Local employers, WA Office of Refugee & Immigrant Assistance, LEP Pathway (state employment program) prime contractors

Job Requirements:

• Relevant degree or equivalent professional or lived experience
• Relevant work experience in the human services field, experience working with refugees and/or immigrants
• Lived experience as a refugee or immigrant is preferred
• Experience with U.S. job search, interview, placement, and work experience
• Demonstrated success working and communicating effectively in a multi-cultural environment
• Proven ability to contribute both independently and as a key team member
• Self-starter with excellent problem-solving skills combined with the proven ability to multi-task, prioritize duties, and manage time effectively
• Professional proficiency in English, both spoken and written; bilingual ability in a language spoken by the local refugee population strongly preferred (including Burmese, Dari, Farsi, French, Pashto, Swahili, Ukrainian)
• Highly organized and capable of keeping up with administrative requirements
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook)
• Valid driver’s license, access to a reliable vehicle with current insurance and ability to travel regularly throughout the service delivery area
• Commitment to anti-racism and ongoing learning

Working Environment***: ​***

• Standard, professional office environment (flexible remote and in-office)
• May require occasional weekend and/or evening work

Posted pay ranges apply to US-based candidates. Ranges are based on various factors including the labor market, job type, internal equity, and budget. Exact offers are calibrated by work location, individual candidate experience and skills relative to the defined job requirements.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusivity: IRC is committed to building a diverse organization and a climate of inclusivity. We strongly encourage applications from candidates who can demonstrate that they can contribute to this goal.

Gender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances.

Professional Standards: The IRC and IRC staff must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way – Global Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti-Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

Equal Opportunity Employer: We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

US Benefits: We offer a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. In the US, these include: 10 sick days, 10 US holidays, 20-25 paid time off days (depending on role and tenure), medical insurance starting at $145 per month, dental starting at $7 per month, and vision starting at $5 per month, FSA for healthcare, childcare, and commuter costs, a 403b retirement savings plans with up to 4.5% immediately vested matching contribution, plus a 3-7% base IRC contribution (3 year vesting), disability & life insurance, and 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.