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POSITION SUMMARY:
The Employment Specialist is responsible for providing one-on-one employment counseling and related group-based education to eligible clients within the Refugee Services Department. Clients may be referred for these services from the Match Grant program, the San Diego Newcomers Project, or other department programs or may request assistance on a walk-in basis.
The Employment Specialist plays an important, cross-cutting role within the department, working in close collaboration with the Program Manager, Case Managers, and other department staff to assist clients with developing the tools they need to take steps towards securing employment, overcoming employment-related challenges, and becoming financially self-sufficient.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Complete employment and skills assessments for all referred clients, and work with each client to develop an individual employment plan tailored to their unique strengths, experiences, and aspirations
- Provide one-on-one employment counseling, coaching, resume development, job readiness training, interview preparation, and other related services to clients seeking employment, and connect those individuals directly with appropriate employment opportunities
- Follow up with clients placed in employment as well as employers to ensure that both clients’ and employers’ needs are met and to foster strong rates of employment retention
- Proactively develop and maintain effective relationships with a large number of area employer partners in hospitality, retail, light manufacturing, food service, and other sectors, independently seeking out new partnerships and opportunities regularly
- Work closely with the Program Manager to ensure that steady progress is made toward all established employment-related goals and outcomes in the Match Grant Program, and the San Diego Newcomers Project
- Coordinate effectively with employer partners and other local employment services providers through participation in the San Diego Refugee Forum’s Employment Task Force, other community forums, job fairs, and other employment-related events
EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE & SKILLS:
- Bachelor’s degree in a related field preferred
- Two or more years of experience in career services, job development, and work readiness training required
- Knowledge of/familiarity with the local job market, area employers, and employment resources, and the understanding of how to use that knowledge in the interest of securing suitable full-time employment for refugee and other immigrant clients as quickly as possible after arrival
- Knowledge of/familiarity with/sensitivity to the cultural background of refugee and other immigrant populations served by the department
- Ability to contribute to and maintain accurate, complete, and confidential records and reports
- Commitment to the mission and values associated with the agency and the department, including social justice, respect for others, and early employment
- Bilingual in English and one other common client language (Arabic, Farsi, Dari, Spanish, or Swahili) preferred
- Excellent verbal and written communication using proper grammar and vocabulary
- Ability to present information effectively to clients, employers, staff, and others, both through 1-on-1 conversation and through presentations to groups
- Ability to use technology as a tool for effective communication with staff, employers, partner organizations, and other stakeholders
- Familiarity with Microsoft Windows, Internet Explorer, MS Word, Excel, Access, and other commonly used office software
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:
- Valid California Driver’s License
- Safe driving record as demonstrated by a DMV report that shows no violations or restrictions
- Must complete a DOJ/ FBI live scan
- Tuberculin Skin Test
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms, and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand. The employee must occasionally lift and move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision. The employee must travel to various locations as required by the department.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment characteristics described here represent those an employee encounter while performing this job's essential functions. Reasonable accommodations may enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Catholic Charities is a non-profit, non-discriminatory service organization and employer. We do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, or disability.