Employment Specialist

The Employment Specialist in Iowa assists newly arrived refugees and other qualified immigrants to attain self-sufficiency through employment by guiding them through employment preparation, coordinating job placements, and other career advancement services.

• Conduct intake, assessment and provide program orientation to clients eligible for employment services.
• Develop comprehensive employment plans and budget strategies for each employable adult.
• Provide job readiness and job search coaching and connect clients with job opportunities.
• Develop and cultivate long-term relationships with area employers and staffing agencies to identify appropriate employment opportunities for clients.
• Assist clients and employers as necessary with post-placement issues and continuing employment needs.
• Monitor client job performance, wage levels, and related metrics.
• Detail each client interaction in accordance with program requirements.
• Input client information in database(s) and assist with tracking and reporting as needed.
• Collaborate effectively with coworkers and partner organizations.
• Build and maintain relationships with area service providers for the benefit of clients.
• Use personal, insured vehicle and/or public transportation (where available) to travel and transport clients and materials as needed throughout the service delivery area.
• May train and lead the activities of support staff, volunteers, and interns.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree in social work or related field of study preferred.
• Relevant professional experience in workforce development field required; minimum of 2 years’ experience strongly preferred.
• Experience working with refugee and/or immigrant populations strongly preferred.
• Experience with job placement and job readiness training a plus.
• Strong relationship building, diplomacy, and networking skills; ability to effectively build internal and external relationships.
• Demonstrated success working and communicating effectively in a multi-cultural environment.
• Self-starter with excellent problem-solving skills combined with the proven ability to multi-task, prioritize duties, and manage time effectively.
• Attention to detail and accuracy in work product.
• Proficient in English, both spoken and written; proficiency in language(s) spoken by client group is desired.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook); ability to use the internet and other digital tools for data entry, research and problem-solving purposes.
• Valid driver’s license and access to a personal, insured vehicle.

• Workforce Development
• Job Placement Activities
• Job Readiness Training
• Relationship Building
• Diplomacy
• Networking
• Multicultural Communication
• Problem Solving
• Time Management
• Attention to Detail
• MS Word
• MS Excel
• Microsoft Outlook
• Data Entry
• Internet Research

English