Bridge Refugee Services
Job Description
Job Description Summary:
Bridge Refugee Services (BRS) is seeking a qualified individual to fill the role of Employment Specialist. The Employment Specialist (ES) will work closely with the Employment Coordinator (EC) to help Bridge clients find gainful employment in the branch area as well as assist clients in the Bridge Career Pathways program in pursuing their professional goals in the United States through career planning, upskilling and certification support, and providing referrals to applicable community resources. This may include creating résumés, assisting clients with job applications, interviews, and on-going job support, creating Career Development Plans with clients and assisting with follow through activities, supporting the EC in Career Pathways program implementation, and maintaining community and employer partnerships that promote clients’ self-sufficiency and career goals. The ES will work closely with the EC, volunteers, and other staff to meet the needs of clients.
This position reports to the Employment Coordinator.
The regular work schedule is Monday through Friday during standard business hours. Occasional evening, weekend, or off-site field work arise based on organizational needs. Mileage reimbursement is available.
Notable Duties and Responsibilities (note current but not-exclusive focus differences between branches):
• Assist the Employment Coordinator (EC) in executing Bridge programming.
• Recruit new clients and conduct outreach to potential students to gauge interest in program participation.
• Work with job seekers to promote the skills required to obtain and retain job opportunities.
• Connect clients with educational and other resources to support their ability to make informed decisions, integrate into the community, and promote self-sufficiency.
• Maintain relationships with relevant community partners and local employers to meet clients’ needs, identify appropriate employment opportunities, promote client self-sufficiency, and assist clients in achieving their career goals.
• Educate clients as to what employers are looking for in terms of work ethic, attitude, and skills.
• Coordinate transportation and interpretation/translation services, as needed.
• Communicate with clients in caseload during program enrollment, including conducting monthly client check-ins to track progress on program goals.
• Maintain clients’ files with detailed case notes and financial documentation in applicable databases to comply with program requirements.
Bridge Career Pathways (Chattanooga focus):
• Develop Career Development Plans with students to identify and create steps toward reaching their immediate and long-term career goals.
• Provide support and assistance to clients as they pursue training and certification opportunities aligned with their career goals.
• Schedule and implement group classes, arrange interpreters and volunteers, and ensure class content is up-to-date and culturally appropriate.
Immediate Employment (Knoxville focus):
• Oversee the Employment Assessment process, ensuring that all new arrivals are assessed within 30 days of arrival.
• Establish short term goals based on the needs and interests of the client, promoting early employment, self-sufficiency and client self-determination.
• Note resources in the community that assist clients in their job search and skills developments like Workforce Connection, job fairs, and different networks.
• Provide hands-on instruction for application completion (paper & on-line), arrange interviews, and assist during the interview process whenever possible.
• Perform other related duties and activities at supervisor's request.
Required Skills and Abilities:
• Bachelor's degree (or equivalent experience) in Social Work, Human Services, International Studies, or a related field
• fluency in the English language
• experience in a social or human services environment, or significant cross-cultural experience
• preference for candidates who speak Dari, Spanish, or Swahili
• preference for candidates who have case management or related social services experience
• preference for candidates with experience working effectively with interpreters
• strong communication and problem-solving skills
• familiarity with Microsoft Word, Excel, Google Suite, and data entry software
• ability to work well with a team, work under pressure, meet deadlines, and prioritize tasks
• ability and willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends.
• valid TN driver’s license and transportation
Working Conditions and Physical Demands:
• ability to frequently sit for lengthy periods of time and to lift up to 40 lbs.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
None
Supervisor:
Employment Coordinator
Salary:
$40,000/year, paid semi-monthly
Additional Compensation:
• health insurance, dental insurance, and vision insurance
• life insurance
• paid time off
• sick leave
• paid holidays
• mileage reimbursement
How to Apply:
Please send a cover letter, résumé, and three professional references to Kayla Davis at kdavis@bridgerefugees.org. BRS will only invite pre-selected candidates for an interview.
Bridge Refugee Services (BRS) is seeking a qualified individual to fill the role of Employment Specialist. The Employment Specialist (ES) will work closely with the Employment Coordinator (EC) to help Bridge clients find gainful employment in the branch area as well as assist clients in the Bridge Career Pathways program in pursuing their professional goals in the United States through career planning, upskilling and certification support, and providing referrals to applicable community resources. This may include creating résumés, assisting clients with job applications, interviews, and on-going job support, creating Career Development Plans with clients and assisting with follow through activities, supporting the EC in Career Pathways program implementation, and maintaining community and employer partnerships that promote clients’ self-sufficiency and career goals. The ES will work closely with the EC, volunteers, and other staff to meet the needs of clients.
This position reports to the Employment Coordinator.
The regular work schedule is Monday through Friday during standard business hours. Occasional evening, weekend, or off-site field work arise based on organizational needs. Mileage reimbursement is available.
Notable Duties and Responsibilities (note current but not-exclusive focus differences between branches):
• Assist the Employment Coordinator (EC) in executing Bridge programming.
• Recruit new clients and conduct outreach to potential students to gauge interest in program participation.
• Work with job seekers to promote the skills required to obtain and retain job opportunities.
• Connect clients with educational and other resources to support their ability to make informed decisions, integrate into the community, and promote self-sufficiency.
• Maintain relationships with relevant community partners and local employers to meet clients’ needs, identify appropriate employment opportunities, promote client self-sufficiency, and assist clients in achieving their career goals.
• Educate clients as to what employers are looking for in terms of work ethic, attitude, and skills.
• Coordinate transportation and interpretation/translation services, as needed.
• Communicate with clients in caseload during program enrollment, including conducting monthly client check-ins to track progress on program goals.
• Maintain clients’ files with detailed case notes and financial documentation in applicable databases to comply with program requirements.
Bridge Career Pathways (Chattanooga focus):
• Develop Career Development Plans with students to identify and create steps toward reaching their immediate and long-term career goals.
• Provide support and assistance to clients as they pursue training and certification opportunities aligned with their career goals.
• Schedule and implement group classes, arrange interpreters and volunteers, and ensure class content is up-to-date and culturally appropriate.
Immediate Employment (Knoxville focus):
• Oversee the Employment Assessment process, ensuring that all new arrivals are assessed within 30 days of arrival.
• Establish short term goals based on the needs and interests of the client, promoting early employment, self-sufficiency and client self-determination.
• Note resources in the community that assist clients in their job search and skills developments like Workforce Connection, job fairs, and different networks.
• Provide hands-on instruction for application completion (paper & on-line), arrange interviews, and assist during the interview process whenever possible.
• Perform other related duties and activities at supervisor's request.
Required Skills and Abilities:
• Bachelor's degree (or equivalent experience) in Social Work, Human Services, International Studies, or a related field
• fluency in the English language
• experience in a social or human services environment, or significant cross-cultural experience
• preference for candidates who speak Dari, Spanish, or Swahili
• preference for candidates who have case management or related social services experience
• preference for candidates with experience working effectively with interpreters
• strong communication and problem-solving skills
• familiarity with Microsoft Word, Excel, Google Suite, and data entry software
• ability to work well with a team, work under pressure, meet deadlines, and prioritize tasks
• ability and willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends.
• valid TN driver’s license and transportation
Working Conditions and Physical Demands:
• ability to frequently sit for lengthy periods of time and to lift up to 40 lbs.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
None
Supervisor:
Employment Coordinator
Salary:
$40,000/year, paid semi-monthly
Additional Compensation:
• health insurance, dental insurance, and vision insurance
• life insurance
• paid time off
• sick leave
• paid holidays
• mileage reimbursement
How to Apply:
Please send a cover letter, résumé, and three professional references to Kayla Davis at kdavis@bridgerefugees.org. BRS will only invite pre-selected candidates for an interview.
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