Employment Specialist

Job Summary: CCANO's Refugee Services Program provides holistic case management to support refugee self-sufficiency and integration to many clients a year. The Employment Specialist II will provide senior-level professional employment service work for job readiness and job placement programs for Immigrants eligible for social service programs. The Employment Specialist II position will serve as a lead worker for less-experienced Employment Specialist and clients by providing information concerning self-sufficiency planning, administration of financial and job skills training, resume building, job interview training, and job application assistance. The Employment Specialist II position will provide training and technical guidance on employment services standards and practice.

• Manage a complex caseload of substantial size consisting of all refugee services clients requiring the utilization of all community agencies serving underprivileged immigrant populations with a need in employment services
• Review self-sufficiency plans and monitor daily employment services activities of refugee services program staff to ensure that clients are making progress toward self-sufficiency/goal(s);
• Develop and implement strategies for outreach, recruitment, and information dissemination for targeted immigrant populations all parishes served
• Foster strong relationships with community-based organizations, businesses, and industry. Advise individuals on educational and training programs available
• Develop and prepare orientation and application materials for clients. Interview, assess, and counsel clients
• Provide active employment case management services for clients. Monitor client progress. Counsel and guide clients in developing career and/or employment goals
• Work with targeted businesses and industry throughout parishes served in developing potential jobs for clients. Negotiate work site training agreements or special accommodations. Provide employment referrals and job placement services. Monitor and track client success following placement
• Design and deliver contracted training and public presentations
• Work in tandem with ESL and Outreach programming to provide opportunities to increase English language levels and to provide informational resources to clients
• Oversee employment services data collection and report management
• Participate with vendors in developing strategies to upgrade the quality of services
• Manages special projects such as the coordination and evaluation of programs and the development of new systems for the delivery of services
• Makes presentations and provides consultative services to community partnerships
• Serves as a resource and support for Case Managers
• Maintain availability to respond to emergencies;
• Exercises independent judgment and initiative in making decisions related to client services; receive general supervision from Program Manager
• Performs other related work as assigned

• A Bachelor's or higher-level degree from an accredited college or university
• Bachelor's degree in Social Work/Business and/or International Studies or Master's degree in Business preferred;
• Two or more years of professional experience as a member of an in-job placement and job development, or implementing Individual Support Plans for specialized underprivileged population groups and/or Immigrant/Refugee populations
• Two years of related experience required, particularly in the areas of developing effective case plans, case management problem solving, values, attitudes and practices of case management
• Bi-lingual candidates highly preferred. Proficiency in Spanish, Arabic, Haitian-Creole, French, or other languages highly preferred;
• Ability to work with a culturally diverse population and sensitivity to the special needs of multi-cultural immigrant children, adults, and families;
• Ability to react to change productively and handle other essential tasks as assigned;
• Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills, including maintaining effective work relationships;
• Strong management and organizational skills, and ability to work across all levels of management and staff;
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and Outlook preferred. Facility with database use

Knowledge of immigrant and diverse populations and relevant community services available for clients. Knowledge of interviewing methods, principles, and techniques.

Knowledge of local, state, federal laws impacting employment and assigned services. Knowledge of training techniques and adult learning theory.

Knowledge of community resources for appropriate referrals. Knowledge of operating a computer and various software programs. Current knowledge of current labor market trends.

Ability to assess and mentor clients.

Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects or to change priorities quickly and frequently. Ability to work with an ethnically and culturally diverse population.

Ability to apply problem solving techniques to complex issues.

Ability to develop a logical, feasible, and practical support plan for clients that will result in a proper self-sufficiency strategy.

Ability to collect analyze information to make decisions concerning a client's support plan.

Ability to evaluate the progress of clients and the quality of their services programs.

Ability to evaluate community resources and client needs to make recommendations concerning the development of new services or modification of existing services.

Ability to communicate effectively.