Employment Specialist

IRC Background:  The mission of the International Rescue Committee (IRC) is to help people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover and gain control of their future. Founded in 1933, the IRC has a presence in over 40 countries and 27 offices in the United States; the IRC leads the way from harm to home. IRC opened an office in Seattle in 1976 and provides a continuum of services including intensive case management, employment, and economic empowerment services, immigration assistance, health and wellness programming, and education support to refugee and immigrant families in Washington State. IRC Seattle is committed to providing trauma-informed, equitable, and accessible services and maintaining and evolving a diverse, inclusive, and supportive workplace.

Job Overview:

The Employment Specialist is responsible for effectively administering services aimed at attaining self-sufficiency through employment for refugees and immigrants who are new to the U.S. Under the supervision of the Early Employment Program Coordinator, the Employment Specialist provides case management to program participants and works closely with employers, community organizations, service providers, and other IRC staff to facilitate job readiness and job placement among program participants. The position is also responsible for documenting casework activities and outcomes and supporting program compliance.

Major Responsibilities:

Case Management Services

• Provide intensive employment-focused case management to program participants
• Facilitate intake, assessment, and pre-employment orientation for individuals eligible for IRC employment services
• Develop comprehensive employment and self-sufficiency plans for each employable adult and service plans for family members
• Assist program participants in creating a budget and offer strategies for budget improvements
• Provide both group and one-on-one intense job readiness workshops that provide program participants with basic skills required to support employability in the U.S.
• Identify specific employment opportunities appropriate for individual participants and assist participants in pursuing these opportunities by guiding them through the application, interview, and hiring process
• Maintain detailed and timely case notes and documentation throughout the service period
• Monitor and document job performance, wage level, and employer/employee satisfaction post job placement for reporting and compliance purposes

Employer Relations

• Develop and cultivate strong relationships with area employers in order to develop and identify appropriate employment opportunities for program participants
• Provide participants and employers with post-placement support, as needed

Compliance Documentation

• Monitor and track participant job performance and wage levels as required by program funding
• Gather required documentation and data for case files throughout service period and to support case closeout procedures
• Ensure timely and accurate compliance to all reporting requirements, including database management, case noting, and file maintenance

Team/Office Participation

• Work as part of a team to provide comprehensive, strength-based services to IRC participants through coordination of cases and effective communication between team members and departments
• Participate in all program meetings, and staff development and wellness activities
• Comply with all policies, procedures, and protocols of the agency

Other duties as assigned

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to:  Early Employment Program Coordinator

Indirect Reporting:  IRC Seattle Employment Program team

Other Internal and/or external contacts:

Internal: IRC Seattle Resettlement team, IRC Seattle Economic Empowerment team, other IRC Seattle program teams, IRC HQ early employment network

External: Local employers, WA Office of Refugee & Immigrant Assistance, LEP Pathway (state employment program) prime contractors