Employment Specialist

Employment Specialist (Nashville)

Classification: Nonexempt

Salary Grade/Level/Family/Range: $35,000 - $38,000

Reports to: Employment Manager or Client Services Manager

Date: Updated 10/19/2021

JOB DESCRIPTION

Summary
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 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.

Essential Functions

1. Identifies and contacts appropriate employers who will provide quality employment opportunities at market rates in suitable work sites
2. Portrays Inspiritus’ employment programs as a reliable staffing source
3. Documents each employer contact and all employer information as directed by funder and program management staff
4. Interviews clients and assesses their education, marketable job skills, career goals, and individual barriers to employment
5. Orients groups of clients to the U.S. workplace and to area job market
6. Assists clients (or refers for assistance) with online job searches and applications
7. Interacts with clients to ensure a suitable match between a client and a potential employer
8. Assists in enrolling clients in the appropriate employment programs at Inspiritus (DHS or Matching Grant), provides employment orientation, and ESL instruction as needed
9. Transports clients to job interviews or arranges alternative transportation
10. Interprets for clients as required or arranges for interpretation
11. 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
12. Writes comprehensive case notes to document activities on behalf of each client and enters each client’s employment data in the database(s)
13. Documents all services provided to clients in appropriate database(s)
14. Contacts employer and client after client placement to identify and help resolve any problems
15. Contributes to maintaining each client’s DHS and/or Matching Grant file
16. Coordinates activities and with related Refugee Services programs to ensure provision of high-quality services offered with efficiency and economy
17. Provides back-up services for other Employment staff and for other Refugee Services staff as appropriate
18. Performs the above duties at out-posted locations as assigned
19. Evaluates and updates employment training materials as needed in conjunction with supervisor
20. Develops marketing and outreach materials for employers and clients in conjunction with supervisor and Resource Development Department
21. Maintains personal and professional boundaries in the performance of the job
22. Forges mutually respectful partnerships with clients, co-workers, and employers
23. Participates in Inspiritus functions and public relations activities
24. Participates in in-service training and conferences related to the programs
25. Conforms with and abides by all regulations, policies, work procedures and instructions
26. Complies with the various federal, state or local laws that apply to and regulate their job duties

Competencies

1. Teamwork & Collaboration
2. Problem Solving & Critical Thinking
3. Cultural Competence
4. Demonstrate Ethical & Professional Behavior
5. Advance Human Rights and Social and Economic Justice Initiative
6. Stress Tolerance
7. Adaptability & Flexibility
8. Partnership & Relationship Management

Supervisory Responsibility: None

Work Environment
This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.

Physical Demands
Regularly required to talk and hear in person and on the telephone. Required to stand, walk, sit, use hand to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls: and reach with hands and arms to operate computer and other office equipment. Required to operate a personal vehicle. Employee frequently lifts and or moves up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work
This is a full-time position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.  

Travel: Up to 50% local travel

Required Education and Experience 

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

Preferred Education and Experience

1. Sales, recruiting, and/or non-profit job development experience preferred
2. Familiarity with major area employers, public transportation, and neighborhoods
3. Experience with human services programs
4. Reads, writes, and speaks a relevant foreign language

Additional Eligibility Qualifications
None required for this position. 

Work Authorization/Security Clearance (if applicable): N/A

AAP/EEO Statement: N/A

Other Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.