Career Development Specialist

Job Description

Background/IRC Summary:

Founded in 1933, the IRC is a leading nonsectarian, voluntary organization providing relief, protection and resettlement services for refugees and victims of oppression or violent conflict. IRC provides assistance to refugees resettling in the United States. The IRC opened an office in Boise, Idaho in 2006 to provide reception and placement services to newly arrived refugees. The office resettles approximately 800 refugees per year and provides numerous program services to assist the refugee from their arrival through citizenship.

Job Overview/Summary****: The IRC’s Economic Empowerment team helps newly arrived refugees and other immigrants reach self-sufficiency by supporting clients in their short and long-term career goals by offering high-quality, culturally and linguistically accessible, integrated economic empowerment services. The Career Development Specialist will provide comprehensive career development services to clients seeking to move into a new career path or return to an existing profession including those seeking access to workforce education or credential recertification.

Major Responsibilities:

I. Case Management/Job Coaching and Support

- Conduct pre-enrollment assessments with potential participants, build career development plans with strategic direction, detailing actionable and realistic activities, and provide ongoing case management

- Provide one-on-one assistance to help clients prepare their resumes during training period, look for appropriate job opportunities, and practice interview skills - Provide individual mentorship on resume writing, interview preparation, job search techniques, and other skills related to career advancement - Assist participants with networking and help with job application review - Accompany clients to job preparation activities, interviews, and job site tours, coaching clients so they can attend these events independently in the future - Collaborate to provide comprehensive strength-based services to IRC clients through effective communication between team members and departments - Advocate for clients’ rights in the labor market by providing references and meeting with employers to educate them about the benefits of hiring refugees, asylees, and immigrants

III. Program Management/Administration

- Assist with creation of career pathway informational packets as well as marketing materials and presentations - Ensure timely and accurate compliance to all reporting requirements: document services provided and client outcomes in relevant case management databases; monitor and track client job performance and wage level in Work Number; maintain accurate and up-to-date case files documenting client goals, activities, and services, and assist with grant applications and final reporting

IV. Community Outreach/Engagement

- Seek out and engage local community partners for participant referrals and conduct regular outreach to education providers to identify and secure workforce training for participants - Conduct outreach to clients eligible to enroll into career development programming through a variety of channels - Collaborate with education and training partners to develop and implement new career pathways - Develop and cultivate relationships with employers who offer suitable job opportunities for clients with special focus on apprenticeship options - Assist clients and employers as necessary with post-placement issues and continuing career development needs

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to: Economic Empowerment Manager Other Internal and/or external contacts: Must collaborate with Economic Empowerment, Case Management, Immigration, Development, youth, and other programs, and work closely with partner educational institutions and social and health services organizations.

Job Requirements:

- Experience working with adult learners from a variety of cultural and linguistic groups and with multiple levels of English language skill required - Lived experience within, or, work / volunteer experience with refugee and immigrant communities strongly preferred - Knowledge of workplace safety practices and willingness to learn industry-specific practices preferred - Able to think creatively and strategically to overcome barriers - Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills - Highly organized, attentive to detail, responsible, and flexible: able to maintain responsibility for multiple tasks in the context of a diverse, fast-paced work environment, and maintain composure under pressure - Undergraduate degree, or 3+ years of professional experience in human services / career counseling field preferred - uent in MS Office applications and database experience required - Basic graphic design skills preferred - Willingness to work some evenings and/or weekends on a regular basis - Fluency in a second language an advantage (such as: Swahili, Kinyarwanda, Arabic, Burmese, French, Russian)

Working Environment: A combination of standard office environment, remote work, and ‘field’ time within the service delivery area to perform the above outlined responsibilities. May require occasional weekend and/or evening work.

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement****: In accordance with IRC’s duty to provide and maintain a workplace that is free of known hazards and our commitment to safeguard the health of our employees, clients, and communities, IRC requires candidates who are selected for interview to furnish proof of vaccination against COVID-19 in order to be considered for this position.

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.

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, dental, and vision, FSA for healthcare and commuter costs, a 403b retirement savings plans with immediately vested matching, 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.

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