| Job Title: | Employment Specialist |
| Department: | Refugee & Asylee Programs |
| Reports To: | Resettlement Administrators |
| Location: | Denver, Colorado |
SUMMARY
Assists refugees in seeking and obtaining employment in order to attain early self-sufficiency. Provides a full range of support services including vocational/training referrals, job coaching, and on-site interpretation/translation. Works within the business community to develop employment opportunities and promote the hiring of refugees.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following:
- Establishes working relationships with multiple employers to encourage employment of refugees and employer support of refugees. Continuously looks for new employment opportunities and advocates for enhancement of refugee employment opportunities.
- Conducts employment services orientation for clients and develops comprehensive resettlement plan in conjunction with Case Manager.
- Assesses client skills, capabilities, and expectations regarding employment to determine employability and achieve goal of early self-sufficiency in accordance with program requirements and timelines.
- Maintains current information on opportunities for training/vocational assistance and possesses a working knowledge of applicable local, county, state, and federal employment programs, making appropriate referrals as necessary.
- Researches employment options and provides assistance in completing applications, scheduling and transporting clients to interviews, and securing interpretation/translation services as necessary.
- Acts as liaison between employers and refugee employees to ensure successful job placement outcomes by providing job coaching, workplace safety and training orientations, assistance with benefits enrollment, and serving as a continuing resource to both employees and employers.
- Maintains case notes documenting all contact with clients and other parties involved with cases and adheres to strict confidentiality surrounding client information and records.
- Monitors client progress in accordance with the program requirements of funding organizations. Completes necessary reports, performs client follow-up, and assuring quality service delivery by complying with all program procedures and regulations.
OTHER DUTIES
- Serves as a member of the Colorado Refugee Employment Consortium and as necessary in various capacities throughout the Colorado Refugee Network.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
This job has no supervisory responsibilities.
QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Fluency in Arabic language required including speaking, reading and writing.
- Ability to market refugees as potential employees and the agency services to businesses in the Metro Denver area. Past experience as a job development preferred.
- Ability to read, analyze and interpret general business and technical documents or instructions related employment programs and businesses. Can communicate information effectively to clients with limited English ability.
- Written communication skills, ability to write reports and to make presentations
- Detail oriented, extensive documentation skills, organized and able to work in a multi-tasked environment.
- Skilled at crisis management, problem solving and mediation.
- Cross cultural sensitivity and knowledge with the ability and desire to work with people of other cultures.
- Broad knowledge of practices, principles, and methods employed in the resettlement of refugees, including a working knowledge and understanding of US Immigration laws and regulations preferred.
- Skills in problem solving, negotiations, decision making and mediating conflict.
- Maintains punctuality for work, appointments and report dates.
- Ability to self-start but also works well in a team setting. Can collaborate effectively with others.
- Computer skills in Word, Excel, and the use of email and other applications.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE
Associate’s degree from a college; or one to two years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
