Employment Specialist

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

Job Summary: Early employment is essential for the self-sufficiency and long-term stability of newly arrived Afghan families. The Employment Specialist is responsible for delivering comprehensive, culturally responsive employment services to Afghan clients enrolled in resettlement and related programs.

This position provides job readiness training, resume development, interview preparation, employer outreach, job placement, and post-employment support. The Employment Specialist will support clients with a wide range of English proficiency levels, including ESL and emerging readers, requiring tailored instruction, visual teaching approaches, and hands-on coaching.

This role requires a proactive, persistent, and community-oriented professional who can independently build employer relationships, identify job opportunities, and support Afghan clients in navigating the U.S. workforce.

The Employment Specialist works under the Resettlement Coordinator and collaborates closely with caseworkers, cultural navigators, community partners, and employers to ensure clients achieve timely employment outcomes and program deliverables.

Major Responsibilities:

Employment Services & Client Support

• Conduct employment intakes, assessments, and individualized service plans tailored to Afghan clients’ skills, language levels, and experience.
• Provide Job Readiness Training (JRT) covering U.S. workplace norms, communication, time management, interview expectations, job search strategies, and rights/responsibilities.
• Assist clients in creating and updating resumes, preparing for interviews, and completing online and paper job applications.
• Provide culturally responsive, ESL-friendly coaching using visual supports, repetition, and hands-on demonstrations.
• Offer one-on-one employment counseling and guidance on job expectations and long-term career pathways.
• Provide digital literacy support related to employment, including email creation, job portal navigation, uploading resumes, and using videoconferencing for interviews.
• Support clients in understanding how employment impacts public benefits such as CalWORKs, RCA, and CalFresh.

Employer Engagement & Job Development

• Conduct proactive outreach to local and regional employers to identify appropriate employment opportunities for Afghan clients.
• Build and maintain strong employer relationships and talent pipelines that support consistent job placement.
• Educate employers on the benefits of hiring refugees and on right-to-work documentation.
• Attend job fairs, hiring events, employer tours, and networking opportunities to expand employment partnerships.
• Match clients to job opportunities aligned with their language proficiency, transportation access, and skill set.

Job Placement & Retention

• Assist clients through all phases of the hiring process including applications, interview scheduling, onboarding, and new hire paperwork.
• Provide support with transportation planning (e.g., AC Transit, BART routes, scheduling apps).
• Maintain ongoing communication with employers and clients to ensure successful retention and troubleshoot issues such as attendance, communication barriers, workplace misunderstandings, and cultural adjustments.
• Achieve monthly, quarterly, and annual job placement and retention targets.

Career Pathways & Training Navigation

• Connect clients to vocational training programs, certification courses, community college pathways, and skill-building opportunities (e.g., CNA, security guard training, forklift certification, childcare, IT basics).
• Support clients in accessing ESL programs, adult schools, and workforce development programs to improve long-term employability.

Program Administration & Compliance

• Ensure timely and accurate case notes, data entry, and documentation in IRC and funder-required systems.
• Track services, employment outcomes, retention milestones, and training enrollments.
• Maintain compliance with all funder requirements (ORR, CDSS, county partners).
• Provide accurate data, success stories, and updates to support grant reporting and internal monitoring.
• Collaborate regularly with the Resettlement Coordinator on caseload progress, trends, and barrier analysis.

Collaboration & Community Engagement

• Work closely with internal IRC teams including Casework, Digital Literacy, Financial Capability, Youth Programs, and Health & Wellness to coordinate wrap-around support.
• Build partnerships with community colleges, adult education centers, CBOs, county workforce programs, and vocational training providers.
• Participate in community outreach and resource events to promote employment services and strengthen referral pathways.

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to:  Resettlement Coordinator

Internal: Caseworkers, Cultural Navigators, Employment Team, Digital Literacy Program, Financial Capability Team, Youth & Education Programs, Health & Wellness Staff

External: Employers, staffing agencies, adult schools, community colleges, workforce boards, local CBOs, government partners, and training providers

Job Requirements:

• Undergraduate degree in social work, education, business, workforce development, or a related field preferred.
• Related experience in employment services, job development, community outreach, or case management; nonprofit experience preferred.
• Experience working with refugee or immigrant populations strongly preferred.
• Experience supporting individuals with limited English proficiency required.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills across cultural and linguistic differences.
• Proven ability to independently build employer relationships and generate job opportunities.
• Ability to teach job skills and digital basics to clients with varying literacy levels.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Ability to identify employment barriers and provide practical solutions (e.g., childcare, transportation, scheduling).
• Proactive self-starter with strong initiative and follow-through.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, job portals, and online tools.

Language Skills

• Fluency in English required.
• Dari and/or Pashto strongly preferred due to client population.

Working Environment: 

• A combination of standard office environment, remote work, and ‘field’ time within the service delivery area to perform the above outlined responsibilities.
• Valid driver’s license, reliable vehicle, and ability to travel within Alameda and Contra Costa counties.
• May require occasional weekend and/or evening work.

Compensation: (Pay Range: $26 - $27) Posted pay ranges apply to US-based candidates. Ranges are based on various factors including the labor market, job type, internal equity, and budget.  Exact offers are calibrated by work location, individual candidate experience and skills relative to the defined job requirements.

PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS

All International Rescue Committee workers must adhere to the core values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. Our Standards are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Safeguarding, Conflicts of Interest, Fiscal Integrity, and Reporting Wrongdoing and Protection from Retaliation. IRC is committed to take all necessary preventive measures and create an environment where people feel safe, and to take all necessary actions and corrective measures when harm occurs. IRC builds teams of professionals who promote critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity to deliver the best possible services to our clients.

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US Benefits: We offer a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. In the US, these include: 10 sick days, 10 US holidays, 20-25 paid time off days depending on role and tenure, medical insurance starting at $143 per month, dental starting at $6.50 per month, and vision starting at $5 per month, FSA for healthcare and commuter costs, a 403b retirement savings plans with immediately vested matching, disability & life insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support counseling and care in times of crisis and mental health struggles. 

Equal Opportunity Employer: IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.