Employment Specialist

Job Overview

Under the supervision of the Employment Program Coordinator, the Employment 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 Employment Specialist will be responsible for managing employer relations and ensuring job placements in the RSS, Matching Grant, and other San Jose Early Employment programs. This position is represented by the OPEIU union and subject to the terms and conditions of a collective bargaining agreement.

This position has an end date of September 30, 2027.

• Develop and cultivate long-term relationships with area employers to identify appropriate employment opportunities for clients.
• Determine specific employment opportunities appropriate to clients and assist clients in accessing these opportunities by guiding them through the hiring process.
• Monitor job search activity to ensure that clients make sufficient contact with employers and are complying with Employment Services Program policies.
• Monitor job performance, wage level and employer/employee satisfaction.
• Assist clients and employers as necessary with post placement issues and continuing employment needs.
• Ensure timely and accurate compliance to all reporting requirements.
• Provide intake, assessment and pre-employment/job readiness orientation to clients eligible for employment services.
• Document client participation and progress, adhering to grant requirements.
• Ensure accurate and timely reporting of career development services data to donors and all relevant parties.
• Assist clients at off-site job fairs and/or other employment related activities.
• Work collaboratively with other Economic Empowerment staff.
• Participate in all-staff/program meetings.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Position
  
  Reports to:
  
  Employment Program Coordinator
• Indirect Reporting:
  Economic Empowerment Program Manager
• Other Internal and/or external contacts:
  Internal:
  Staff in Economic Empowerment programs.
• External:
  Community partners in Economic Empowerment programs.

• Undergraduate degree, ideally in Social Work or an equivalent field of study. Comparable related work experience may be substituted.
• Demonstrated work experience (in addition to the above) in human services field, preferably in a non‑profit or social services agency environment.
• Experience should include a minimum of 2 years providing direct services 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, Excel, Outlook.
• Ability to work independently, be a self‑starter and maintain responsibility for multiple tasks.
• Proficiency in a refugee language such as Dari, Farsi, Pashto, Spanish, 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.

A combination of standard office work environment, remote work, and ‘field’ time within the service delivery area to perform outlined responsibilities. May at times need to provide services outside of traditional work hours (evenings and weekends).

We offer a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. In the US, these include:

• 10 sick days
• 10 US holidays
• 20-25 paid time off days depending on role and tenure
• medical insurance…