Career Development Specialist

Overview

If you are passionate about transforming communities with a mission-driven organization, then we have the opportunity for you! Reporting to the Employer Engagement Program Coordinator, the Career Development Specialist (CDS) will serve as an advocate and support professional advancement through personalized goal planning that takes into account input from the participant regarding their current job status, skills, qualifications, and interests. The CDS will ensure that refugees have equitably access to employer sponsored and mainstream English language and job skills training opportunities by building coalitions of support in the community.

Global Refuge, formerly known as Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS), is a nonprofit serving newcomers seeking safety, support, and a share in the American dream. Since 1939, we have welcomed those seeking refuge, upholding a legacy of compassion and grace for people in crisis. We walk alongside individuals, families, and children as they begin their new lives in the United States through our work in refugee resettlement, care for unaccompanied children, and economic empowerment and employment.

Our work also extends to Guatemala and Mexico, where we help young people with skills training and community reintegration. To date, we have served over 800,000 people from around the globe. Our comprehensive services leverage our extensive organizational expertise as well as government, community, and faith partnerships.

Attracting and retaining the best talent is vital to our continued growth and we are proud to offer an excellent benefits package including:

• medical, dental, vision available the first day of employment
• generous paid time off including 20 days of vacation, 12 days of sick leave, 12 paid holidays
• 12 weeks of fully paid parental leave and up to 12 weeks of fully paid FMLA leave
• company 403(b) contribution of 3%, an additional 7% match which vests immediately

At Global Refuge, welcoming newcomers isn't just our duty—it’s an inherent part of our identity, rooted in our Lutheran heritage and inspired values and serving as a testament to our unwavering commitment to those in search of refuge. Please join us as we make a difference in the lives of newcomers.

• Closely collaborate with the Employer Engagement Specialist to identify and enroll eligible clients in EEP.
• Provide a client-centered, trauma-informed, culturally and linguistically appropriate EEP services to enrolled refugee participants.
• Provide individualized and goal-oriented career support and follow-up to assist clients in career advancement.
• Monitor progress towards goals and conduct assessments to identify additional training needs.
• Identify opportunities for career advancement for refugees that match the skills needed to fill workforce gaps and support access.
• Ensure participants have convenient access to English language training.
• Follow up with program participants and employers to ensure retention, address any issues, and support job upgrade opportunities.
• Coordinate with resettlement and Refugee Support Services staff, as applicable, to support program participants' progress toward self-sufficiency.
• Partner with Workforce Development Centers and train their staff on how to work with refugees and ensure refugees access vocational training opportunities (utilizing WIOA funds).
• Identify referral partners to address needs that impact program participation and self-sufficiency and make appropriate connections.
• Identify potential champions within workplaces and neighborhoods (e.g., faith leaders, neighborhood associations, community leaders) to plan and implement connection events that promote inclusivity and refugee integration.
• Work with LIRS and academic partners to conduct a robust evaluation.
• Maintain case files and clearly document service provision through documentation of participant eligibility, personalized training plan, assessment results, and case notes.
• Maintain relevant reports and statistics related to client activities and program services.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Ability to market refugees and immigrants as potential employees…