Economic Empowerment Specialist

IRC Summary:  The IRC in Northern California was established in 1975 in response to the needs of the growing refugee population. Over the past 40 years the IRC has resettled nearly 60,000 clients in Northern California. Originally focused on reception and placement the IRC now provides a range of services including economic empowerment, immigration, food security, youth programming and case management for victims of trafficking.

Job Overview: The Economic Empowerment Specialist guides, prepares, and empowers limited-English-proficient RSS/CalWORKs participants to achieve financial self-sufficiency through employment. The Specialist is responsible for managing and documenting service provision, working collaboratively with team members, and meeting performance goals. Specifically, the Economic Empowerment Specialist provides services that include one-on-one job coaching and employment preparation, job readiness training, and placement and retention support. This position also works within a team to develop, maintain, and nurture employer relationships.

Responsibilities: Include, but are not limited to:

• Provide one-on-one job coaching to participants to provide clients with the basic skills required to enhance their employability, such as cultural and workplace orientation, mock interviews, creation of resumes, and job skills development sessions.
• Coordinate and lead job readiness courses on topics listed above
• Keep accurate digital and physical attendance, assessment, and service provision records.
• Ensure timely and accurate compliance to all reporting requirements, including database management, case noting, and file maintenance.
• Monitor employment services participation for all clients with County-mandated participation requirements; collaborate with economic empowerment specialists to promote compliance.
• Maintain a database of employer and external training partners including key points of contacts.
• Monitor client job performance, wage level, and employer/employee satisfaction.
• Determine specific employment opportunities appropriate to clients and assist clients in accessing these opportunities by guiding them through the hiring process.
• Develop and cultivate long-term relationships with local employers in order to identify appropriate employment and work experience opportunities for clients.
• Determine specific employment opportunities appropriate to clients and assist clients in accessing these opportunities by guiding them through the hiring process.
• Assist clients and employers as necessary with post placement issues and continuing employment needs.
• Develop and coordinate training programs to assist with employment opportunities.
• Supervise and assist program interns and volunteers.
• Other duties as assigned.

Position Reports to:  Early Employment Coordinator
Position directly supervises: Volunteers and Interns

Job Requirements:

• Undergraduate degree in a relevant field or equivalent work experience; Minimum of two years of relevant work experience in direct services field preferred.
• Demonstrated experience with the US job search process and the ability to effectively coach clients through the nuanced process of securing employment; Familiarity with the local job market strongly preferred
• Proven success working effectively as a team player in a fast-paced, highly collaborative, and multi-cultural environment;
• High digital literacy especially with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, Powerpoint, Microsoft Teams) and common web-based applications (Asana, Box, Dropbox, etc.) required.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills and attention to detail
• Self- starter with excellent problem-solving skills combined with the proven ability to multi-task, prioritize duties, and manage time effectively.
• Fluent in English, both spoken and written; bilingual ability in Spanish, Russian, Ukrainian, Dari/Farsi, Pashto, Tigrinya, or Arabic preferred.
• Valid driver’s license, access to a reliable vehicle with current insurance, and the willingness to travel throughout the service delivery area.

Working Environment: 

• A combination of standard office environment, remote work, and ‘field’ time within the service delivery area to perform the above outlined responsibilities.
•  Approximately 1x/week travel to satellite offices throughout the East Bay