Immigrant & Refugee Career Counselor

Title:                    Immigrant & Refugee Career Counselor

Supervisor:        Workforce Program Supervisor, Career Services 

Status:                Non-Exempt

Schedule:           Full-Time

Why You Should Apply:

The Pittsburgh region offers many opportunities for immigrant and refugee job seekers, but due to language barriers, skill mismatches, and cultural differences, finding and retaining fulfilling work can be challenging. Many immigrant job seekers are eager for the opportunity to gain transferrable skills and work toward a better career, and they just need some guidance to get started. The Immigrant & Refugee Career Counselor will work closely with the Career Services team to help immigrants and refugees develop career pathways and reach their long-term career goals.

Position Summary:

The Immigrant & Refugee Career Counselor is a key member of JFCS Career Service’s career counseling team. This position aims to develop job search strategies and work toward long-term career goals with refugee and immigrant job seekers who would like to explore new career pathways or re-establish themselves in a previous field. This individual will ensure clients have all the necessary tools, resources, and support to achieve their goals and be successful in their careers going forward - whether higher education, employment or career advancement.

Competencies:

• Belief in justice and equality in providing opportunities for immigrant and refugee populations.
• Passion for helping individuals achieve career success through employment and education.
• Ability to form strong and compassionate connections with others.
• Enthusiastic, patient, engaging and empathetic disposition.

             

Qualifications:

• Previous experience working with refugee and immigrant populations preferred.

• Humility in working with individuals from culturally, racially and gender diverse backgrounds.

• A general understanding of workforce and labor markets.

• Strong computer skills required, including Microsoft Office and CRM experience.

• Skilled at presenting in individual and group settings, both virtually and in person.

• Top level organizational, written and oral communication, and problem-solving skills.

• Ability to multitask and work under strict deadlines.

• A bachelor's degree and expertise or relevant experience in the area(s) of employment/workforce, education, business, human resources, counseling/coaching or related field.

• Bilingual language skills are a plus.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide individual assessment and career direction counseling for clients.

• Conduct individual career counseling sessions, both virtually and in person.

• Work with clients to develop an individualized career pathway plan and accompanying goals.

• Ensure each client has high quality materials needed to conduct a successful job search, including a resume.

• As needed, identify and work to reduce barriers to accessing and retaining employment through community referrals and/or resource connection.

• Help to develop and deliver workshops such as Resume Writing, Job Search Techniques, Interviewing Skills, Understanding American Workplace Culture and other topics as required.

• Administer and evaluate vocational testing and marketability assessment tools.

• Act as a liaison for Career Services and staff off-site office hours to best serve clients and community partners, such as other nonprofit organizations.

• Maintain contact with clients during job search and after placement to ensure successful job retention.

• Participate in trainings, meetings, and professional conferences, representing the Career Services department as required.

• Represent Career Services and our specific programs to the community through outreach, public speaking, and response to community concerns about the programs and clients.

• Track and regularly monitor program data including client engagement and case notes in agency database system and other required formats.

• Work closely and collaboratively with other JFCS departments to best serve clients.

• Assume other related duties as assigned.

About JFCS:

JFCS is a local leader in providing innovative and effective social service solutions to challenges facing families and individuals in the Pittsburgh region. The work we do includes counseling, workforce development, guardianship, refugee and immigrant services, immigration legal services and youth services. We also have a scholarship program and operate the Squirrel Hill Community Food Pantry.  

We believe that when people with diverse experiences come together, problems can be solved.