Employment Specialist

Lutheran Social Services

Position Description

Division/Department:
Refugee Services Program/Employment Services

Job Title:

Employment Specialist

Reports to (Title):
Refugee Employment Program Manager

Job Code:

FLSA Status:
Non-Exempt

Manager (with direct reports)??

Yes

No X

Location:

Jacksonville

This position provides a wide range of refugee employment services in accordance with applicable contract requirements and standards. Will provide, as needed, a wide range of resettlement support services to refugees admitted under Section 207 (c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. All duties are performed in accordance with applicable contract requirements and standards.

• Arrange, coordinate, and provide services to clients with a goal of self-sufficiency.
• Responsible for assessing clients’ eligibility to receive services within the employment program. The assessment begins with the verification to receive services and may include a variety of factors (not limited to past employment, certifications, and education).
• Following a client assessment, plan and conduct an initial program orientation that targets client career goals.
• Develop an individual employment plan (IEP) to obtain self-sufficiency which includes both short term and long-term goals and monitoring.
• Document and maintain all case activities (i.e. case notes, reports, correspondence with other service providers, etc.) within required timeframe; ensure all signatures are on file.
• Work with local employers and employment groups to identify general and specific employment opportunities for client placement – work toward meaningful training and high placement probability targets.
• Identify, match, and monitor work participation activities necessary to receive benefits.
• Make client referrals to appropriate programs/agencies
• Act as an interpreter/translator when possible or utilize an interpreter service to convey information.
• Provide transportation and educate client to utilize public or shared transportation services.
• Develop, research, and maintain employer relationships to benefit client placement activities.
• Participate in performance related goal setting and achievement to meet personal and center objectives
• Maintain confidentiality of recipient/staff information along with a current knowledge of, and act in accordance with, relevant recipient right’s guidelines. Report recipient/staff complaints and problems to supervisor.
• Maintain current knowledge of and ensure provision of social services to refugees including but not limited to pre-arrival planning, securing affordable and appropriate housing, and post-arrival case management in accordance with applicable contract requirements. Prepare written reports of activities as required.
• Other related duties as assigned.

Required:

• Must have excellent organizational skills.
• Ability to prioritize and handle multiple tasks.
• Must be able to communicate orally and in writing. Maintains patient confidentiality.
• Must be detailed oriented and capable of thinking independently while exercising good judgment.
• Requires the ability to work with people beyond giving and receiving instructions.
• Customer Service, research, and networking skills
• Background in the areas of vocational assessment and career counseling involving direct client services.
• Language
  
  Skills:
  
  Ability to read and interpret documents. Ability to communicate with service recipients in a linguistically appropriate and professional manner.
• Mathematical
  
  Skills:
  
  Ability to calculate figures and amounts for applicable reports. Simple math calculations are required, such as adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing.
• Reasoning Ability:
  Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables with a minimum of direction. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written or oral form.
• Possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and auto insurance; must be able to transport clients to various locations by using own transportation.

Preferred:

• 2 years staffing/employment experience
• Work experience involving direct client services with foreign…