Career Development Specialist

Job Overview: Under the supervision of the Career Development Coordinator, the Career Development Specialist will work together with the larger Economic Empowerment Team through an integrated approach to help refugees to thrive financially in the U.S. The goal for CareerLink Program is assisting refugee clients to move beyond entry-level jobs and gain employment in their professional field, with a focus on Hospitality, Healthcare, Finance, Transportation and Tech sectors. Specifically, the Specialist ensures career counseling, job search assistance, enrollment in post-secondary and certification programs, networking opportunities, and coordinating additional services tailored to individual client needs. The Career Development program is particularly focused on empowering the career advancement of refugee women.

Major Responsibilities:

• Carry a caseload of 35 CareerLink Program clients per year (75 program total), providing them with one-on-one career counseling; this includes individualized career planning, goal setting, resource mapping, supporting job search activities, and referrals to employer contacts.
• Offer curricula and resources for career sector tracks, with ongoing modifications as necessary.
• Complete assessments to gauge client strengths, capacities, improvement areas, and barriers to success.
• Provide step by step planning support to reach career goals and identify barriers to reaching career plan goals.
• Provide resource navigation for successful completion of career track training and employment.
• Work with skilled volunteers, community members, and employer contacts to train clients through workshops and trainings on topics such as professional speaking, networking, email correspondence, and interviewing.
• Ensure the development and delivery of trainings offered on U.S. business culture for clients.
• Document, track, and case note client participation and progress, adhering to grant requirements.
• Ensure accurate and timely reporting of career development services data to donors and all relevant parties
• Participate in all-staff/ program meetings.
• Attend job fairs, training provider orientations and other networking events to develop employer partnerships and relationship building within industry sectors.
• Develop and provide program orientation, career exploration/mapping workshops, and other career track readiness trainings as needed.
• Other related duties as assigned.

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to: Career Development Coordinator

Indirect Reporting: Site Director

Other Internal and/or external contacts:

Internal: Staff in financial and economic empowerment programs.

External: Community partners in financial and economic empowerment programs.

Job Requirements:

• Undergraduate degree; ideally in Social Work or an equivalent field of study; comparable related work experience may be substituted.
• Demonstrated relevant work experience (in addition to the above) in human services field; preferably in a non-profit or social services agency environment; Experience should include providing direct service to underserved communities. Prior experience working with refugee populations preferred.
• Experience in a non-profit or social services setting is an advantage.
• Attention to detail and ability to organize and track large amounts of information efficiently and accurately
• Familiarity with or association with employers and vocational training programs in San Jose highly desirable.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong computer skills, particularly Word and Excel.
• Ability to work independently, be a self-starter and maintain responsibility for multiple tasks.
• Proficiency in a language such as Dari, Farsi, Pashto, Tigrinya or Arabic is an asset.
• Valid driver’s license, reliable vehicle with current insurance, and the ability to travel regularly throughout the service delivery area.

Working Environment:

• Standard office work environment coupled with regular travel in and around the service delivery area.
• Reoccurring need to provide services outside of traditional work hours (evenings and weekends).

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.

Gender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances.

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.

US Benefits: The IRC offers a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. All US employees are eligible for sick time, a 403b retirement savings plans: up to 4.5% immediately vested matching contribution, plus an 3-7% additional IRC contribution, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support in times of crisis and mental health struggles.

In addition, full-time employees are eligible for 10 US paid holidays, 20-25 paid time off days, disability & life insurance, medical, dental, and vision insurance (employee contribution starting at $135, $7, and $5 per month respectively) and FSA for healthcare, childcare, and commuter costs. Part-time employees are eligible for a proportionate amount of paid time off. These additional benefits apply to employees who work at least 6 months within a 12-month time period.