Professional Staff Opening
Position Title: Employment Specialist
Reports To: Lead Employment Specialist
Team: Immigration and Refugee Program/Lancaster Office
Job Location: Lancaster, PA
Grade: 2 Starting Salary - $24,670 to $27,283
Status: Non-Exempt; Non-Bargaining Unit
Schedule: Full-time at 40 hours per week, with some night and weekend work required as deemed necessary in consultation with supervisor.
Deadline: Until Filled
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Church World Service does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability or veteran status in employment of the provision of services.
Primary Purpose:
The Employment Specialist is responsible for providing employment assessment, job counseling, job development and placement, employment-related translation and interpretation services, and case management to eligible clients in the Refugee Social Service (RSS) Employment Program. With the goal of self-sufficiency for each individual or family, the Employment Specialist works closely with clients and employers to remove barriers to employment and secure successful job placements.
Essential Duties:
- Conducts outreach to identify and locate eligible clients through contacts with other CWS (in-house) programs, the Department of Public Assistance, mutual assistance associations, ethnic churches, mosques, temples, and other social service agencies.
- Determines clients’ eligibility for the program and identifies specific needs and qualifications, including English language ability, transferable job skills, personal objectives, and barriers to employment through intake and assessment process. Works with client to prepare job resume based on intake and assessment.
- Provides individualized job development and job placement services to program participants. Develops plan of action and counsels clients in areas such as job interview skills, expected behavior on the job, and proper hygiene.
- Works with clients to remove any barriers to employment and realize the goal of family self-sufficiency.
- Identifies job opportunities suitable for clients, assists in filling out applications, sets up interviews with potential employers, accompanies clients to interviews, follows up with employers until decisions are made. Negotiates job advancements when warranted.
- Provides employment-related translation and interpretation for clients with limited English proficiency.
- Provides employment-related transportation for clients in personal vehicle, e.g. to job interviews, job-related drug testing, etc. (Compensation is paid by CWS for mileage when using personal vehicle.)
- Performs all duties in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner.
- Records clients’ progress in case file, including compliance, job offers, all placements, job retention, public assistance usage, follow-up on placements, and possibilities of upgrades. Completes all required reports.
- Assists clients with identifying training and apprenticeship programs related to their career goals and makes referrals.
- Identifies other support services that may assist clients in becoming self-sufficient, such as classes for English as a Second Language, transportation, immigration services, and child care, and makes appropriate referrals.
- Enters required information in the Comprehensive Workforce Development System (CWDS), the online database that tracks program progress.
- Attends trainings and conferences as requested by supervisor, including required sessions on TANF and CWDS.
- Keeps informed about refugee and immigrant issues, and available services to refugees, using current information to better identify and serve refugee clients.
- Advocates on behalf of refugees, and refugee-serving voluntary agencies.
- Represents the program at meetings and speaking engagements relevant to the responsibilities of the position.
- Undertakes other duties as assigned.
- Works varied hours, including some night and weekend work.
- Must have valid driver’s license and suitable vehicle for transporting clients.
Qualifications:
Education:
B.A. or 2 years experience in refugee resettlement or related field.
Experience:
Previous work experience and interest in refugee resettlement or other direct social services is desired. Ability to provide culturally sensitive counseling and case management is essential.
Competencies:
Communications: Listen carefully to assure clear understanding of instructions and requests. Communicate a positive, professional image of CWS, demonstrating respect, empathy and integrity. Ask appropriate questions in seeking explanations needed to perform job. Support “transparency of information” by sharing information and ideas with others to support effective performance. Understand staff roles and procedures and prepare standard reports to track job progress or activities. Recognize the particular needs of partners and use established channels to respond to those needs. Understand and is able to use appropriate technology to communicate with others inside and outside CWS. Respect and maintain confidentiality of sensitive information within parameters defined by supervisor and/or CWS policy.
Constituent Relationships: Understand who stakeholders are and be responsive to their needs. Facilitate interactions and serve as a resource in relations with stakeholders. Recognize and be sensitive to issues of concern to stakeholders. Recognize and be sensitive to cultural, ethnic and religious issues.
Job Knowledge: Understand the mission and values of CWS and faith-based organizations and how they apply to their work and relationships with others. Understand the work performed and how it supports CWS in achieving its goals. Understand how to work multi-culturally with sensitivity and integrity. Able to use and willing to expand learning of applications or technology to perform job duties. Applies a depth of knowledge within area of responsibility to implement assigned activities. Interpret CWS’s policies and procedures for staff and stakeholders, keeping the “human” side in sight.
Leadership: Take responsibility for performance of own job duties. Model behaviors that are consonant with CWS’s mission and values in work activities and relationships. Demonstrate sound judgment in performing all duties. Recognize and use individual strengths to enhance work performance. Recognize areas of weakness and seek assistance to improve performance. Take initiative within area of responsibility. Respect the skills, needs and schedules of others in performing assigned duties and responding to others. Contribute ideas for implementing CWS’s vision and strategic plan.
Problem Solving: Identify problems in procedures that affect program work and recommend changes in systems or procedures to address them, and then implement approved changes. Know whom to consult for assistance in solving non-routine problems. Exercise creativity in resolving problems and trying new ways of doing things. Know how and when to apply technical solutions to problems. Share results of problem solving experiences with others. Remain flexible in responding to organizational priorities.
Program Planning and Management: Anticipate work flow and take proactive steps to balance work priorities. Gather, analyze and make use of information and resources necessary to complete work. Set and communicate deadlines and priorities. Successfully balance multiple activities, in support of program or departmental goals. Manage contacts with internal and external stakeholders to ensure flow of information and coordination of efforts. Verify the accuracy and quality of own work and the work of others.
Resource Building and Stewardship: Recognize resource building potential in all interactions and be responsive and professional in providing information. Use financial and material resources provided by CWS to their best advantage, including business equipment and supplies. Demonstrate concern for natural resources in carrying out work activities. Make the most of own time and resources to maximize stewardship to CWS. Demonstrate respect for one another in relationships with staff, supervisors and managers.
Teamwork: Understand what a team is and what it does. Demonstrate a willingness to work on a team. Understand own role on the team and how it fits in to the overall results to be produced. Contribute skills, knowledge and ideas to team discussion and work. Accept accountability for assignments made within the team and for producing results on time. Keep team leader and members informed of work status. Demonstrate awareness of what other teams do and how their work affects own team. Recognize and respect the importance of work performed by colleagues. Understand organizational priorities and is willing to set aside own tasks to assist others to complete high priority tasks.
Other Skills:
Fluency in Spanish and English is required, although fluency in another refugee language, such as Arabic or Karen, will be considered. Superior written and verbal communication skills are required for both languages. The successful candidate must be computer literate, with proficiency in MS Office (Excel, Word and Access) and Internet applications.