Employment Specialist

Job Summary: The Economic Empowerment Specialist is a full-time position that will support the Economic Empowerment department in case management, financial counseling, job placement assistance, and ensuring that clients are accessing the full range of supportive services available to them. The IRC in Oakland’s Economic Empowerment department provides early employment, financial coaching and career development services to ensure clients achieve self-sufficiency and economic independence.

The Economic Empowerment Specialist will support clients by conducting initial assessments and developing corresponding service plans to meet their employment, asset-building, and self-sufficiency goals. The Economic Empowerment Specialist will work in coordination with the rest of the team to ensure clients are accessing the full scope of IRC’s services including job readiness training and 1:1 job counselling and financial education and counseling. The Specialist will also work closely with Alameda County to enroll limited-English speakers in English and employment services as required by their County benefits program. Additionally, the Specialist will ensure clients are referred to other departments within the IRC as well as partner providers as relevant.

Major Responsibilities:

Economic Empowerment Services:

·Provide intake, assessment, and program orientation to clients eligible for employment and asset-building services.

·Develop comprehensive economic empowerment service plans for each client including a baseline financial health assessment including net worth and credit score.

·Provide job readiness and job search coaching to clients preparing to enter the US job market.

·Provide ongoing case management to enrolled clients including income supports screening and financial counseling as well as transportation assistance to job interviews as needed.

·Assist clients and employers as necessary with post-placement issues and continuing employment and asset-building needs.

·Support with developing and maintaining employer partnerships as needed.

·Train and supervise program interns/volunteers.

Compliance Documentation:

·Monitor and track client financial health indicators including job wage levels, net worth, and credit score.

·Ensure timely and accurate compliance to all reporting requirements, including database management, case noting, and file maintenance.

Team/Office Participation:

·Participate in all program meetings, staff development activities, and other duties as assigned.

·Work as part of a team to provide comprehensive strength-based services to IRC clients through coordination of cases and effective communication between team members and departments.

·Comply with all policies, procedures, and protocols of the agency.

·Training and providing guidance to volunteers recruited to support IRC’s mission.

·Other duties as assigned.

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to: Employment and Asset-Building Coordinator

Position directly supervises: Program Interns and Volunteers

Indirect Reporting: Economic Empowerment Manager
Other Internal and/or external contacts:

Internal: Position will develop working relationships with internal direct service staff and early employment team

External:Position will develop working relationships with provider partners and County liaisons.

Job Requirements:

·Undergraduate degree preferred; equivalent work experience may be substituted

·2+ years of related professional experience, preferred

·Minimum of 1 year of experience with direct client services and/or case management, preferred

·Demonstrated success working and communicating effectively in a multi-cultural environment

·Experience working with refugees and/or low income populations preferred

·Self- starter with excellent problem solving skills combined with the proven ability to multi-task, prioritize duties, and manage time effectively

·Strong ability to develop and maintain external partnerships

·Excellent written and verbal communication skills

·Fluency in Spanish, Dari, Farsi, Pashto, Tigrinya strongly preferred.

Working Environment:

·Standard office work environment with regular travel throughout the service delivery area and regular work in Hayward and Fremont

·Potential for hybrid in-person/remote work schedule

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement: In accordance with IRC’s duty to provide and maintain a workplace that is free of known hazards and our commitment to safeguard the health of our employees, clients, and communities, IRC requires candidates who are selected for interview to furnish proof of vaccination against COVID-19 in order to be considered for this position.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusivity: IRC is committed to building a diverse organization and a climate of inclusivity.We strongly encourage applications from candidates who can demonstrate that they can contribute to this goal.

Equal Opportunity Employer: We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

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