Employment Specialist
Church World Service, Inc.

Position Title: Employment Specialist

Reports To: CRS Employment Program Manager

Team: Southeast Region

Job Location: Southeastern Region Based in Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Grade Level: 4

Compensation: $41,650 - $49,000

FLSA Status: Non-exempt,Non-Bargaining

Primary Purpose:

The Employment Specialist offers support and employment services to refugees to help them reach financial self-sufficiency in the United States. Carries out the services of the CRS Employment program by assisting client to obtain and maintain employment that is consistent with the goals.

Essential Duties:

• Interview, advise, and guide a diverse population of clients to ascertain employability; interprets and explains regulations, rules, policies, and procedures to clients; may determine eligibility for services; apprises clients rights, benefits, responsibilities, and obligations under program participation; ensures that applications and other forms are completed accurately and thoroughly.

• Assess client’s education, work experience, skills, abilities, qualifications, and job interest. Assess client readiness for job referral, on the job training, and/or support services.

• Empower clients to formulate realistic yet ambitious employability plans and provide assistance in developing and implementing individual employment plans.

• Provide individualized job development and job placement services to program participants. Develop plan of action and counsel clients in areas such as job interview skills, expected behavior on the job, and proper hygiene.

• Identify job opportunities suitable for clients, assist in filling out applications, set up interviews with potential employers, accompany clients to interviews, and follow up with employers until decisions are made. Negotiate job advancements when warranted.

• Document all contacts and services in client case files and maintain case note logs. In addition to documenting all services, record clients’ employment-related progress in case file, including compliance, job offers, all placements, job retention, public assistance usage, follow-up on placements, and possibilities of upgrades. Complete all required reports. Documentation demands are rigorous.

• Monitor and evaluate clients progress through program components; monitor service providers through reports and site visits to verify employment.

• Work with clients to remove barriers to employment and realize the goal of family self-sufficiency. Connect clients to in-house support and make referrals to external service

providers. Identify support services that may assist clients in becoming self-sufficient, such as ESL, transportation, immigration services, and childcare.

• Assist clients with identifying vocational training, career laddering and apprenticeship programs related to their career goals and make referrals.

• Offer interpretation and translation services to clients, as well as transportation to interviews and appointments as necessary.

• Advocate on behalf of clients, and refugee-serving voluntary agencies.

• Attend trainings and conferences as requested by supervisor.

• Keep informed about refugee and immigrant issues, and available services to refugees, using current information to better identify and serve refugee clients.

• Represent the program at meetings and speaking engagements relevant to the responsibilities of the position.

• Perform all duties in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner.

• Undertake other duties as assigned.

• Work 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 experience in refugee resettlement or related field.

Experience: Previous work experience and interest in refugee resettlement or other direct social services is desired. Cultural sensitivity is essential.

Other Skills:

Superior written and verbal communication skills are required. The successful candidate must be computer literate, with proficiency in MS Office (Excel and Word) and internet applications required. Fluency in English and Spanish and/or Creole required.

Special Requirements:

• Covid vaccine required

• Must have valid driver’s license and reliable personal vehicle. Mileage accrued while executing work responsibilities is reimbursable by CWS.

• Must complete motor vehicle record check.

• Must be willing and able to travel.

• Background check required.

• Level 2 Fingerprint check required.

CWS’ U.S. COVID-19 Vaccination Policy requires all new staff to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination as soon as reasonable, no longer than 60 days of employment. Any employee who is pregnant, who is nursing, who has a disability, or who has a medical condition that prevents them from safe vaccination, or who rejects vaccination because of sincerely held religious beliefs, may contact the CWS Benefits Administrator to request reasonable accommodation as defined by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

CWS offers a competitive benefits package that includes:

•403 (b) Retirement Plan

•Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance

•Generous Paid Time Off

•Life Insurance and AD&D

•Long Term and Short-TermDisability

•Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

•Health Savings Account

• Flexible Spending Accounts