Workforce Partnership Specialist

Job Description

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.

Job Overview: The Workforce Partnership Specialist is responsible for developing workforce-related partnerships to support refugees and other low-income individuals to enter and complete training programs and to enter professional employment. Examples of partnerships include local employers, technical schools, apprenticeships, and colleges. This position will work closely with multiple teams to cultivate and refine partnerships to meet the everchanging needs of client populations, employers, and the local labor market. As a part of the team, this position will identify and match qualified clients to training and employment opportunities and provide ongoing follow-up with all engaged partners.

Major Responsibilities:

General Outreach

- Develop and implement ongoing employer and training provider outreach goals and tiers of engagement activities - Train public, non-profit, and private sector partners on benefits of hiring refugee and immigrants and best practices in working with refugee populations - Represent the IRC in the community, sharing information on IRC programs and services - Conduct job readiness classes with refugees and immigrants and support them with resume building, professional communication and interview preparation.

Employer Development

- Conduct employer outreach to identify job opportunities and develop, cultivate, and maintain positive relationships with area employers in specific sectors - Educate employers on the strengths of a refugee workforce as well as relevant right to work documentation - Act as a liaison between the IRC, employers, clients, and community partners - Communicate and collaborate across multiple programs and staff regarding employment opportunities, client referrals, and new-hire onboarding processes - Research and attend relevant job development opportunities such as job fairs, community events, job site tours, etc - Monitor job performance, wage level, and employer/employee satisfaction; - Assist clients and employers with any post placement issues and ensure that employer feedback informs service delivery for active program participants - Achieve monthly, quarterly, and annual job placement goals - Provide job coaching to refugees and other low-income individuals as necessary.

Training and Education Partnership Building

- Work with local community colleges and other local providers to access short-term trainings including Career Technical Education (CTE) to make a long-term impact on client employability in specific fields - Engage local training providers in IRC service delivery including during internal IRC workshops - Adjust training platforms and providers based on feedback from employer partner needs as well as client needs and preferences, including the need for remote trainings

Reporting and Service Documentation

- Ensure timely and accurate compliance on all reporting requirements, including database management, case noting, and file maintenance - Use ETO as assigned to track client services, outcomes, and metrics; develop tracking systems for auxiliary information - Update internal trackers using Excel and complete ongoing quality assurance monitoring - Track and adhere to the program budget throughout the project duration - Regularly evaluate and report on quality of placements, including indicators such as cost-per-participant, health benefits, wage level, retention rates, satisfaction level - Regularly evaluate and report on quality of employer relationships, including number and quality of new employer and training relationships, number of employers hiring IRC clients per sector

Other Responsibilities

- Supervise and assist program interns and volunteers - Participate in all program meetings, staff development activities, and fully engages as a member of the team - Comply with all policies, procedures and protocols of the agency - Other related duties as assigned

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to: Workforce Development Coordinator

Position directly supervises: Interns and volunteers

Indirect Reporting: Economic Empowerment Manager

Internal and/or external contacts: Coordinates regularly with Economic Empowerment team and local partners

Job Requirements:

Education: Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred

Work Experience:

- 2 years experience developing outcome-driven partnerships required - 2 years experience in workforce development preferred

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including negotiation, public speaking and presentation creation - Strong interpersonal skills for effective networking and influence. Proven ability to foster and manage partner and team relationships - Proven ability to take initiative, creatively problem solve and collaborate in a fast-paced work environment - Demonstrated experience in system development, case management, and/or sales and marketing - Excellent organizational skills with the ability to track and follow up on dynamic information - Ability to work efficiently across a team to reach specific measured outcomes - Experience using data and fiscal tracking systems strongly preferred - Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite required

Language Skills: Proficiency in a refugee language such as Dari, Farsi, Pashto, Tigrinya or Arabic, an asset

Working Environment:

- A combination of standard office environment, remote work, and ‘field’ time within the service delivery area to perform the above outlined responsibilities.

- Occasional travel to satellite and partner sites throughout the Bay Area - 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 new hires to furnish proof of vaccination against COVID-19 in order to be considered for any in-office or hybrid positions. All IRC US offices require full vaccination to attend any in-office functions (e.g., meetings, trainings).

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 starting at $120 per month, dental starting at $7 per month, and vision starting at $5 per month, 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.

IRC- leading the way from harm to home

IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law

Please Apply at http://www.rescue.org/careers

Qualifications