Employment Specialist (Birmingham)

INSPIRITUS INC•Homewood, AL

19h

About The Position

The Employment Specialist will conduct job development and facilitate job placement for refugees, asylees, Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders, and Afghan Humanitarian Parolees to help them become financially self-sufficient. To fulfill these responsibilities, he or she will cultivate relationships with employers and with employment-related community resources, including area businesses, private employment agencies, and the local or state Department of Labor. Appropriate documentation of job development and placement services is considered part of service provision. Pre- and post-placement services should be provided to both employers and clients. Additional duties that may be assigned include writing reports, creating employment program materials, and updating orientation curricula.

Requirements

Bachelors degree in a social service or business field and minimum of two years of previous direct work experience in employment, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
Excellent oral and written communication skills in English
Experience working in a culturally diverse environment
Ability to balance the needs of the client and the employer
Conviction about the capacity of people to grow and change
Ability to set limits and maintain the helping role of the practitioner
Excellent computer skills, accurate typing, and knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook
Must own a personal multi-passenger vehicle, hold a valid Georgia Drivers license, have a good driving record, and have appropriate personal auto insurance
Must have the ability to communicate with all persons in a culturally competent manner.
Must be sensitive to the service populations cultural and socioeconomic characteristics.

Nice To Haves

Sales, recruiting, and/or non-profit job development experience preferred
Familiarity with major area employers, public transportation, and neighborhoods
Experience with human services programs
Reads, writes, and speaks a relevant foreign language
Excellent time management and organizational skills
Proactive problem solver
Ability to adapt quickly to changing conditions
Ability to respond positively to clients and employers
Excellent follow-through with commitments
Professional manner, speech and dress
Ability to work in a team environment with a diverse group of people

Responsibilities

Identifies and contacts appropriate employers who will provide quality employment opportunities at market rates in suitable work sites
Portrays Inspiritus employment programs as a reliable staffing source
Documents each employer contact and all employer information as directed by funder and program management staff
Interviews clients and assesses their education, marketable job skills, career goals, and individual barriers to employment
Orients groups of clients to the U.S. workplace and to area job market
Assists clients (or refers for assistance) with online job searches and applications
Interacts with clients to ensure a suitable match between a client and a potential employer.
Assists in enrolling clients in the appropriate employment programs at Inspiritus (DHS or Matching Grant), provides employment orientation, and ESL instruction as needed
Transports clients to job interviews or arranges alternative transportation
Interprets for clients as required or arranges for interpretation
Conducts appropriate post-employment follow-up in order to ensure job retention and continued employment for newly arrived clients and clients in the US less than 5 years
Writes comprehensive case notes to document activities on behalf of each client and enters each clients employment data in the database(s)
Documents all services provided to clients in appropriate database(s)
Contacts employer and client after client placement to identify and help resolve any problems
Contributes to maintaining each clients DHS and/or Matching Grant file
Coordinates activities and with related Refugee Services programs to ensure provision of high-quality services offered with efficiency and economy
Provides back-up services for other Employment staff and for other Refugee Services staff as appropriate
Performs the above duties at out-posted locations as assigned
Evaluates and updates employment training materials as needed in conjunction with supervisor
Develops marketing and outreach materials for employers and clients in conjunction with supervisor and Resource Development Department
Maintains personal and professional boundaries in the performance of the job
Forges mutually respectful partnerships with clients, co-workers, and employers
Participates in Inspiritus functions and public relations activities
Participates in in-service training and conferences related to the programs
Conforms with and abides by all regulations, policies, work procedures and instructions
Complies with the various federal, state or local laws that apply to and regulate their job duties
Performs other duties as assigned to meet program needs