Career Development Specialist

Title: Career Development Specialist

Location: Richmond, VA USA

Job Description:

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

This position is represented by the OPEIU union and subject to the terms and conditions of a collective bargaining agreement.

Job Overview: The Career Development Program promotes economic self-sufficiency for refugees and immigrants with barriers to achieving their career goals. The program connects them with training and resources to enable them to move out of low-wage jobs and into sustainable career paths. The Career Development Specialist will work individually with clients to assess their eligibility and readiness for the program, create career development plans, schedule career development activities, prepare job applications, and obtain successful job placements. Since program participants often face barriers to entry into and completion of career development programming, this position will provide supportive services for program participants. The needs of participants are dynamic, require flexibility, patience, and determination. 

Responsibilities:

Case Management/Job Coaching and Support:

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

• Provide one-on-one assistance to help clients prepare their resumes, search 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

• Ensure the delivery of group coaching and instruction of advanced work readiness and other employability skills

• Support clients in identifying, enrolling, and completing vocational training activities such as certification attainment, apprenticeships, and paid/unpaid work experience

• Assist participants with networking and provide job application review

• Accompany clients to job preparation activities, interviews, and job site tours. Coach 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

Program Administration:

• Assist with the creation of program informational packets as well as marketing materials and presentations

• Ensure timely and accurate compliance to all reporting requirements.

Community Outreach/Engagement:

• Conduct outreach to clients eligible to enroll in career development programming through a variety of channels

• Develop and cultivate relationships with employers who offer suitable job opportunities for clients with a special focus on apprenticeship options

• Assist clients and employers with post-placement issues and continuing career development needs

• Other duties as assigned

Job Requirements: 

• Undergraduate degree or relevant work experience.

• Interest in working in social services, employment, workforce programming, client counseling, or related area; at least one year experience preferred.

• Ability to work with adult learners from a variety of cultural and linguistic groups and with multiple levels of English language skill required.

• Work or volunteer experience with refugee and immigrant populations and understanding of local refugee and immigrant communities desired.

• Knowledge of workplace safety practices and willingness to learn industry-specific practices.

• Able to think creatively and strategically to overcome barriers.

• Excellent 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 fast-paced work environment, and maintain composure under pressure

• Fluency in MS Office applications and database experience required

• Willingness to work some evenings and/or weekends on a regular basis

• Fluent in English, both spoken and written; multi-lingual ability preferred. Preferably in Spanish, French, Arabic, Dari, Farsi and/or Pashto.

Working Environment: 

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

• May require occasional weekend and/or evening work.

Compensation: (Pay Range: $22.75-$24.50/hr) 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.

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 $163 per month, dental starting at $6.50 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.