Refugee Employment Specialist

Job Type

Full-time

Description

Position Summary:

The Refugee Employment Specialist is key in empowering newly arrived refugees and immigrants by helping them overcome barriers to employment and achieve their professional goals. This role supports job seekers from diverse backgrounds through personalized employment coaching, job application assistance, interview preparation, and onboarding support while offering trauma-informed, client-centered employment case management. You will work closely with other employment specialists to guide clients toward meaningful job opportunities and economic resilience/self-sufficiency.

Colorado Residency is required.

Salary Range: $21.00 - $30.00 per hour

Hiring Range: $21.00 - $28.00 per hour

Responsibilities:

A. Coaching

• Conduct intake assessments to evaluate barriers to employment, assist job seekers to identify their needs, and create individualized job search plans tailored to the career goals and unique circumstances of each job seeker.

• Help clients with job search activities, such as writing/editing resumes and offering online job search, application, and interview support.

• Assist the Lead Refugee Employment Specialist with coordinating a monthly Employment Cultural Orientation workshop by supporting training, content review, and client/interpreter outreach.

• Connect clients with JFS employer partners and other community resources such as ESL, apprenticeship, or digital literacy programs.

B. Case Management and Data Entry

• Support participants throughout their entire job search journey and communicate regularly with them using a strengths-based, trauma-informed approach.

• Facilitate client intakes, coordinate interview and job training logistics, and communicate with interpreters in-person and over the phone.

• Enter detailed, accurate case notes and keep organized client files using various data management systems to document all interactions, ensuring data integrity.

• Assist clients with onboarding tasks such as purchasing work uniforms, completing background checks or drug screenings, and understanding workplace policies.

• Focus on placing clients within the 90-day Reception & Placement period.

• Track and report on measurable employment outcomes according to various grants.

C. Employer Outreach and Partnership Expansion

• Partner with the Business Development Specialist to build relationships with local employers, creating job opportunities that align with clients' skills and aspirations.

• Join community networking events and attend job fairs to promote employment opportunities for refugees.

• Provide post-placement support, on-site and remotely, to clients and employer partners ensuring job retention and workplace success metrics are achieved.

D. Team Collaboration

• Collaborate closely with the Resettlement and Employment Services teams to ensure a holistic, wraparound approach to refugee employment.

• Participate in case conferencing meetings to share client updates and discuss challenges.

• Work directly with volunteers to assist with employment-related tasks.

E. Additional Responsibilities:

• Participate in JFS-required training sessions.

• Drive clients to interviews and assist with employment onboarding tasks.

• Proactively support special Department programs and events such as job fairs and employer partner appreciation.

COVID-19 considerations: Must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 (proof required), subject to legally required exemptions.

Agency Overview: JFS is a nonprofit human services organization that serves anyone in need - regardless of their circumstances or religious beliefs. We believe in a shared responsibility to support impactful changes throughout our community.

Founded over 150 years ago, we currently offer more than 30 programs and services, including food security, housing stability, mental health counseling, aging care, employment support, and disability services. JFS takes a holistic approach, assessing the various needs of the individual or family and providing the appropriate services all from one organization. We continuously evaluate the evolving challenges of our community and adapt or develop programs that respond to the resulting needs.

We are very proud of our work culture, including recently completing a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion assessment. JFS offers competitive pay and benefits, including medical, dental, vision, health savings account, flexible spending account, Legal/ID Theft, supplemental insurances, agency-paid Life/LTD, Employee Assistance Programs, 401(k), 19 paid holidays, and a generous leave program. JFS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Requirements

I. Qualifications:

A. Education:

• Prior work experience in refugee employment support, case management, workforce development, or human services preferred.

OR

• Lived experience as a refugee is highly valued, but not a requirement.

OR

• Bachelor's degree in a related field.

B. Experience:

• Prefer 1+ years of career coaching experience and/or knowledge of vocational/employment services or direct case management combined with cross-cultural sensitivity and a desire to work with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.

• Bilingual in English and any other language is highly valued.

• Candidates with lived experience as a refugee or New Americans are strongly encouraged to apply.

C. Other:

• Knowledge of multiple employment training services and career-related topics, plus strong business writing and data entry skills.

• Service-oriented and dedicated to meeting customers' needs in a culturally responsive way.

• Strong computer skills including the full MS Office Suite (Word/Excel/PowerPoint/Outlook/Teams) and CRM tools.

• Comfortability learning and using translation software such as Google Translate and working with professional interpreters virtually, in-person, and over the phone.

• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills that enhance a positive team.

• Prioritize and manage multiple tasks effectively, attend to details, and achieve placement goals.

Work effectively in a fast-paced environment and adapt well when team objectives change.

Salary Description

$21.00 - $28.00