Career Development Specialist

If you are passionate about transforming communities with a mission-driven organization, then we have the opportunity for you!

As part of the Employer Engagement Program (EEP), the Career Development Specialist (CDS) will serve as an advocate for refugee clients and support their professional advancement through personalized, collaborative goal planning based on their current job, skills, qualifications, and interests. The CDS will ensure that refugees have access to employer-sponsored and mainstream English language training and equitable access to job skills training opportunities by building coalitions of support in the community. This position will report to the Employer Engagement Program Coordinator and will have regular contact with refugee clients.

Global Refuge, formerly known as Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS), is a nonprofit serving newcomers seeking safety, support, and a share in the American dream. Since 1939, we have welcomed those seeking refuge, upholding a legacy of compassion and grace for people in crisis. We walk alongside individuals, families, and children as they begin their new lives in the United States through our work in refugee resettlement, welcome and respite services for asylum seekers, economic empowerment and employment, and family unification for unaccompanied children. To date, we have served over 750,000 people from around the globe. Our comprehensive services leverage our extensive organizational expertise as well as government, community, and faith partnerships.

Attracting and retaining the best talent is vital to our continued growth and we are proud to offer an excellent benefits package including:

• medical, dental, vision available the first day of employment,
• professional development, tuition reimbursement,
• generous paid time off including 20 days of vacation, 12 days of sick leave, 12 paid holidays,
• 12 weeks of fully paid parental leave and up to 12 weeks of fully paid FMLA leave,
• company 403(b) contribution of 3%, an additional 7% match which vests immediately,
• Family Building benefits for reproductive procedures, adoption/foster care assistance, and
• an annual wellness benefit that can be customized to support your personal needs including funding enrichment classes, gym memberships, and healthy eating plans (to name a few) all in an inclusive and progressive environment!

At Global Refuge, welcoming newcomers isn't just our duty-it's an inherent part of our identity, rooted in our Lutheran heritage and inspired values and serving as a testament to our unwavering commitment to those in search of refuge. Please join us as we make a difference in the lives of newcomers.

DUTIES

• Closely collaborate with the Employer Engagement Specialist to identify and enroll eligible clients in EEP.
• Provide a client-centered, trauma-informed, culturally-and-linguistically-appropriate EEP services to enrolled refugee participants.
• Provide individualized and goal-oriented career support and follow-up to assist clients in career advancement.
• Monitor progress towards goal and conduct assessment to identify additional training needs.
• Identify opportunities for career advancement for refugees that match the skills needed to fill workforce gaps and support access to same.
• Ensure participants have convenient access to English language training.
• Follow up with program participants and employers to ensure retention, address any barriers, and support job upgrade opportunities.
• Coordinate with resettlement and other refugee support services staff members, as applicable, to assist program participants' progress toward self-sufficiency.
• Partner with workforce development centers and train their staff on how to work with refugees and ensure refugees access vocational training opportunities (using Workforce Innovation and Opportunity (WIOA) funds).
• Identify referral partners to address needs that impact program participation and self-sufficiency and make appropriate connections.
• Identify potential champions within workplaces and neighborhoods (i.e., faith leaders, neighborhood associations, and community leaders) to plan and implement connection events that promote inclusivity and refugee integration.
• Maintain case files and clearly document service provision through documentation of participant eligibility, personalized training plan, assessment results, and case notes.
• Maintain relevant reports and statistics related to client activities and program services.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Undergraduate degree in social work, social sciences, economics, or related field; preferred.
• A minimum of two (2) years of experience in non-profit immigration or social services programs.
• Ability to market refugees and immigrants as potential employees and agency employment services to businesses.
• Experience in job development, coalition building, and assisting refugees or migrants to access workforce system resources, preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and diplomatically in a multi-cultural setting and with limited-English proficient speakers.
• Ability to build and maintain relationships and partnerships with diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to make and maintain connections with one-stop career centers.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business and technical documents or instructions related to employment programs and businesses.
• Ability to contribute to reporting with accurate data about employer connections and workforce center partnerships.
• Ability to facilitate trainings and workshops with workforce staff, employers, and champions.
• Cross cultural sensitivity and knowledge, and the desire to work with people of other cultures.
• Ability to place clients in jobs related to their skills and experience.
• Ability to adjust clients' expectations to accept jobs that match their skills and experiences.
• Ability to work well on a team.
• Ability to track and report data regularly.
• Functional fluency in one or more foreign languages preferred.

Global Refuge is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. We participate in E-Verify

We offer a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package in an innovative and rewarding work environment. Salaries are based on the latest market data and reflect the education, skills and requirements for the role. Differentials may exist based on the region and language abilities. Global Refuge has been welcoming newcomers since 1939. Learn more at globalrefuge.org.