Refugee & Immigrant Resource Specialist

Catherine McAuley Center•Cedar Rapids, IA

9d•Hybrid

About The Position

Refugee and Immigrant Resource Specialist Full-time, hourly non-exempt Position Expectations: The Refugee and Immigrant Resource Specialist will support the Education Services team and the Refugee and Immigrant Resource Manager in implementing two State of Iowa contracts: Iowa HHS Refugee Support Services (employment) and HHS Refugee Community Services (education). Responsibilities may include teaching Community Orientation and Engagement classes, providing case management for employment clients, and conducting employer outreach. In addition, the Specialist will assist with reporting and documentation for both contracts to ensure compliance. This position has an option to work from home on a limited basis and requires supervisor approval. Accountability: The Refugee and Immigrant Resource Specialist is accountable to the Refugee and Immigrant Resource Manager. Qualifications: B.A. degree in Social Work, Psychology, Human Services, Education, ESL, and/or related field or relevant experience required. Experience working with refugees and/or immigrants preferred. Strong organizational skills with ability to prioritize projects and tasks. Ability to work with minimal supervision, take initiative, and manage multiple projects with changing priorities. Knowledge of the resources and programs available in Linn County and surrounding areas. Possession of a driver’s license and personal transportation and insurance required. Ability to maintain confidentiality concerning volunteers, clients, students, children, and staff or agency business. Excellent written and verbal/oral communication skills. Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively with others as part of a diverse team. Ability to develop rapport with people of all ages, backgrounds, and economic resources, and to treat others in a friendly, courteous, and appreciative manner. Strong decision-making skills Flexibility and ability to handle stress and new or undefined situations. Ability to address conflict and problem solve. Computer skills, including experience with Microsoft Office Suite and databases such as Salesforce, and/or ability to learn new software and systems. Behave as a professional representative of CMC and communicate the mission and activities. Knowledge of and sensitivity to issues related to literacy, immigrants, refugees, women, poverty, and mental illness. Commitment to the CMC mission and the values of the Sisters of Mercy.

Requirements

B.A. degree in Social Work, Psychology, Human Services, Education, ESL, and/or related field or relevant experience required.
Strong organizational skills with ability to prioritize projects and tasks.
Ability to work with minimal supervision, take initiative, and manage multiple projects with changing priorities.
Knowledge of the resources and programs available in Linn County and surrounding areas.
Possession of a driver’s license and personal transportation and insurance required.
Ability to maintain confidentiality concerning volunteers, clients, students, children, and staff or agency business.
Excellent written and verbal/oral communication skills.
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively with others as part of a diverse team.
Ability to develop rapport with people of all ages, backgrounds, and economic resources, and to treat others in a friendly, courteous, and appreciative manner.
Strong decision-making skills
Flexibility and ability to handle stress and new or undefined situations.
Ability to address conflict and problem solve.
Computer skills, including experience with Microsoft Office Suite and databases such as Salesforce, and/or ability to learn new software and systems.
Behave as a professional representative of CMC and communicate the mission and activities.
Knowledge of and sensitivity to issues related to literacy, immigrants, refugees, women, poverty, and mental illness.
Commitment to the CMC mission and the values of the Sisters of Mercy.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear.
The employee regularly is required to stand, walk, sit for extended periods of time, work at a computer, and engage in repetitive hand and/or wrist movements.
The employee occasionally lifts and/ or moves up to 40 lbs.
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with refugees and/or immigrants preferred.

Responsibilities

Identify employment opportunities appropriate to clients and support them through the application and hiring process.
Provide individualized and group job readiness training to build employability skills, including Job Club, Employment classes, job coaching, and other activities as needed.
Facilitate enrollment and support of program participants in CMC’s adult education programs.
Refer program participants to community resources and supportive services.
Administer and tabulate student test assessments and surveys.
Monitor program outcomes and collaborate with the Education team to ensure contract performance measures are met.
Complete accurate and timely case notes and reports. Submit documentation to the supervisor according to established timelines.
Maintain accurate client records in internal systems and State of Iowa database.
Fulfill all contractual reporting and compliance requirements for Iowa HHS grants.
Be able to explain CMC program information to students, clients, residents, volunteers and others in the community.
Present a positive image of the Center and its programs.
Provide direction, guidance and support to volunteers and interns as relevant to role, foster relationships with, and show appreciation for volunteers with whom you are in direct contact.
Contribute to the CMC newsletter, board/committee reports and other public information activities as needed.
Assist in tutor recruitment efforts.
Assist with CMC fundraising efforts and serve on event committees as needed.
Maintain clean and organized facilities including the storage and archives.
Assist with the shared staff responsibilities for security of the clients/volunteers and building.
Perform other duties as requested/assigned.