Employment Specialist

Organization Summary

World Relief is a global Christian humanitarian organization whose mission is to boldly engage the world’s greatest crises in partnership with the church. Founded in the aftermath of World War II to respond to urgent humanitarian needs in war‑torn Europe, World Relief has operated in 100 countries for 80 years, partnering with local churches and communities to build a world where families thrive and communities flourish.

As an Employment Specialist, you walk alongside newly arrived refugees, asylees, and other immigrants, supporting ongoing clients through their employment journey. You provide individualized assistance in initial employment searches, job retention, and rehiring; coach clients toward economic self‑sufficiency; and leverage World Relief’s extensive employer contacts to place clients in jobs. You also guide clients to higher‑skill, higher‑wage roles, refer them to career‑pathway services or educational programming, and maintain a strong employer network to create quality opportunities at every career stage.

This position is based in the Aurora and Carol Stream offices.

• Provide individualized workforce coaching, including pre‑employment counseling, assessments, and career guidance based on participant needs, English level, and work readiness.
• Deliver job readiness training through one‑on‑one and group sessions, covering resumes, interviews, job search strategies, and workplace expectations.
• Support job placement by matching participants to appropriate opportunities and assisting with applications, interviews, and onboarding.
• Develop individualized transportation solutions to ensure reliable access to employment.
• Provide retention and follow‑up support, including ongoing coaching to address workplace challenges and promote job stability.
• Promote career advancement by helping participants identify goals and connecting them to training, credentials, and career‑pathway opportunities.
• Engage employers and community partners to build relationships and align job opportunities with participant skills.
• Maintain accurate documentation and ensure compliance with program and grant requirements.
• Collaborate across teams, programs, and volunteers to coordinate services and support participant success.

• Mature and personal Christian faith.
• Committed to the mission, vision, and values of World Relief.
• Desire to serve and empower the church to impact vulnerable communities.
• Able to affirm and/or acknowledge World Relief’s Core Beliefs, Statement of Faith, Christian Identity, and the National Association of Evangelicals’ "For the Health of The Nation" document.
• Strong interpersonal, relational, and cross‑cultural communication skills, with the ability to effectively coach, motivate, and empower individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to communicate clearly with individuals of varying English proficiency levels and adapt coaching approaches to meet different learning styles and work histories.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment with flexibility, organization, and attention to detail.
• Effective problem‑solving, critical‑thinking, and conflict‑resolution skills, including the ability to advocate for clients with employers when needed.
• Knowledge of, or willingness to learn, the U.S. labor market—especially in the Chicagoland area—and trends affecting refugee and immigrant jobseekers.
• Understanding of or sensitivity to the refugee and immigrant experience, including trauma‑informed and culturally responsive practices.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team; bilingual or multilingual ability is strongly preferred. Maintain a valid driver’s license and meet MVR eligibility requirements.
• Bachelor’s degree required.
• For World Relief staff, strong commitment to the mission, vision, and values of World Relief is essential, and Christian faith is a prerequisite for employment, based on United States federal guidelines provided in Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including occasional early mornings, evenings, and weekends.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
• At least one year of experience in an office environment.

World Relief offers a competitive benefits package and an employee discount program for full‑time, regular employees.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. We are proud to be an EEO/AA employer M/F/D/V and maintain a drug‑free workplace. Pre‑employment substance‑abuse testing is performed.