WorkSource Career Specialist

Description

The Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO) is a non-profit organization established in 1976 to serve immigrants, refugees, and the broader community in Portland, Oregon. Our mission is to welcome, serve and empower refugees, immigrants and people across cultures and generations to reach their full potential. Find out more at www.irco.org.  

POSITION:                          WorkSource Career Specialist

JOB CLASS/GRADE:           Specialist 1/Grade 8

WAGE:                                  Starting at $48,600 per year based on experience 

FLSA; EEO; WC:                   Non-Exempt; Professional; 8864

LOCATIONS:                       N/E WorkSource, 30 N Webster St. Suite E, Portland OR 97217

                                               Hybrid schedule

FTE; FT/PT; STATUS:          1.0 FTE; Full-Time with Benefits; Regular

NUMBER OF POSITIONS: (1)

APPLY AT:                            www.irco.org 

STATUS:                                Full-Time with Benefits

PROGRAM(S):                      WorkSource

SECTOR/DIVISION:            Workforce Development/Workforce and Employment Services

REQUIREMENTS:                English required, bilingual preferred. Pass criminal background 

                                               check.

This job announcement is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed in this job. This is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required.

Program/Department Summary
IRCO’s Workforce Development Sector provides career coaching, career services, and training to youth and adults so that they gain living wages and become empowered through their careers. The WorkSource N/NE Center is part of IRCO’s larger Workforce Development Sector and plays an instrumental role in providing training scholarships, career services, and workshops to both the communities IRCO serves and the larger Portland Metro community.

Position Summary
The WorkSource Career Specialist is responsible for providing training services and career services support to clients of various backgrounds and skill levels. The main focus is on workforce skills, career planning support, connecting customers to services, Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA) documentation, Individual Training Account (ITA) scholarship application review, during training support, post training follow-up, and job seeking support. The specialist handles inquiries from prospective, current, and former job seekers about workforce skills training and eligible occupational training opportunities as well as employment opportunities. The WorkSource Career Specialist will also be responsible for documentation of eligibility and the management of workforce data, along with the development and maintenance of the workforce training opportunities list.

Essential Functions

• Guide participants on use of WorkSource services and assess needs for career and/or training plan development plans.
• Coach participants to create a career plan that will fit their specific goals, needs, and skills to update skills or retrain them for the current labor market.
• Provide technical assistance as needed to help customers work through WorkSource registration process and fund enrollment. 
• Review and verify participant readiness for training opportunities, assist with the Individual Training Account (ITA) scholarship process, and review applications for training scholarships.
• Facilitate support services to help participants overcome barriers to participation in WorkSource services and employment as defined by the regional program standards.
• Connect individuals to community resources in the Portland Metro, professional skill development and training opportunities as well as resources that can provide needed wrap around services to customers.
• Refer WorkSource participants to Aligned Partner Network organizations and Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA) funded Youth Workforce System providers and other WorkSource programs as appropriate.
• Support customers throughout their trainings with regular check-ins. Create plans for support as needed when obstacles arise.
• Follow up with training outcomes of customers awarded training scholarships and collect the required accreditation documents like certificates, diplomas, and others.
• Assist customers with finding employment by working on work readiness skills, job search skills, resume, interviewing, job search skills, sharing job leads with customers and facilitating employer networking where appropriate.
• Follow up with enrolled participants to capture employment information and reconnect them to WorkSource Centers if additional services are needed. 
• Attract additional customers, increase engagement, and facilitate access for the hard-to-reach population.
• Develop and maintain collaborative working relationships between the staff, client services, WorkSource Portland Metro (WSPM) programs, and the funding agencies. 
• Participate in a weekly training scholarship meeting.
• Gather, compile and maintain current labor market data to provide information to clients seeking advice on the current labor market and projected employment opportunities. 
• Conduct regular workshops for customers as outlined by monthly workshop schedules and collect customer feedback for all workshops conducted.
• Coordinate closely with and participate in regular meetings with the WorkSource N/NE team and Worksystems. 
• Accurately and professionally maintain case files. Write detailed case notes and outcome reports. 
• Document service and performance data in the I-Trac database.
• Track program/grant required statistics and summarize in report form.
• Verify customers' eligibility for SNAP Employment & Training (E&T) program services monthly.
• Gather and report participant success stories.
• Assist with Layoff Transition Assistance Services and travel throughout the Portland Metro area to assist with Layoff Transition Assistance sessions as needed.

Secondary Functions

• Attend required program training as recommended by the center. 
• Maintain current knowledge of program policies and procedures.
• If needed, deliver WorkSource services at the Express Center located within Central City Concern as an extension of the WSPM Center's offerings. This may include, but is not limited to, delivery of one-on-one services, WIOA documentation, resource room assistance and recommendations to additional WorkSource services and programs in response to customer need.
• Participate in regularly scheduled joint program meetings with partners and/or program orientations, as required.
• Perform other related duties as required by the WorkSource Center.
• Capable of meeting multiple, including conflicting deadlines. 
• Competent at maintaining a high level of confidentiality. 
• Ability to work flexible hours to meet the availability of clients.

Requirements

Education & Experience

MINIMUM JOB SPECIFIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of training and experience
• Minimum 2 years of work experience
• Ability to use a computer proficiently, especially Microsoft Office products 
• Ability to pass criminal background check

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience in the WorkSource System or in Workforce Development.
• Skilled in record keeping and case management systems.
• Experience in conducting training and workshops. 
• Knowledge of vocational counseling and career coaching for individuals with barriers to employment. 
• Proficient in facilitating scholarship processing.
• Knowledge of the local job market and concerns of private employers.

Physical, Mental, & Environmental Requirements 

• Hybrid setting job
• Physical: Position requires little physical effort such as lifting, carrying, or constant movement, but does allow for movement needed to complete work tasks.
• Mental: There is regular variation in tasks, and the job holder must decide which tasks to complete as well as the order in which tasks are completed. 
• Environment: This level has a work environment that is well protected, with virtually no hazards or obstacles.  There is very little element of personal risk or hazard.  Job conditions are stable, usually well managed, and very comfortable.
• Schedule: The work schedule is stable and does not fluctuate.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Positions at this level are not responsible for any supervisory functions or responsibilities but may occasionally be asked to orient and/or train new employees or volunteers.

What We Offer

IRCO is a very employee-friendly workplace and offers great benefit packages to our staff:

• Many flexible working arrangements and schedule
• Amazing opportunity to work with people who come from all over the world
• Work that helps your community 
• 3 to 6 weeks of PTO per year 
• 401k match of over 100% on first 5%, immediate vesting 
• 3% match for student loans or college savings 
• 12 Paid Holidays and 1 Floating Holiday
• Medical & Dental insurance options with 90% coverage for employee AND Families, no deductibles
• Employer Paid Life, Short term, and Long-term Disability Insurance 
• Flexible spending accounts

Required Engagement 

Engage fully in recommended professional development, as well as other assigned or required training activities. This engagement can also include participation in optional activities that embrace IRCO’s mission, vision, and values-based initiatives. 

How To Apply

1. Complete the IRCO application in our Careers Portal: IRCO Application for Employment.  
2. Upload your resume and cover letter addressing your qualifications for this position IRCO Careers.  
3. For questions about this position, please email [email protected]

Please note that physical applications are accessible from IRCO’s main office, 10301 NE Glisan, Portland, OR 97220. Due to the high volume of applications received, we will not be able to contact applicants or return calls regarding applications. Complete applications should include a cover letter, resume, and IRCO application. 

IRCO is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any characteristics protected by State and Federal law. We will make reasonable accommodations to meet our obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and state disability laws.