About ORIS: The Organization for Refugee and Immigrant Success (ORIS) is an ethnic community-based nonprofit organization with the mission to aid in the resettlement of refugees and immigrants in Massachusetts and New Hampshire by providing training, assistance, resources, and opportunities that promote self-sufficiency. ORIS’s Board of Directors and staff are majority new Americans, representing more than 15 countries and fluent in over 25 languages. The power of ORIS lies in its cultural understanding, linguistic expertise and first-hand knowledge of the immigrant experience. We offer a wide range of programs to support new Americans in our communities, including Reception and Placement, bridging case management, services for survivors of domestic violence, employment services, farmer training, food access, and youth enrichment.
Job Summary: The Employment Specialist will join ORIS’s Shelter and Overlap Services team in Worcester, MA, and work under the direction of the Shelter and Overlap Services Program Manager. They will be responsible for providing culturally-appropriate employment services for newly arrived refugee and asylum-seeking clients by collaborating with Case Managers in the Refugee Resettlement and Shelter Service Programs. The Employment Specialist will serve a critical role in facilitating improved economic stability for newly arrived refugees and asylum-seeking families in the greater Worcester area. The Employment Specialist will secure access to job opportunities with livable wages, including by providing one-on-one coaching on resume building, interviews, and other work readiness services.
Responsibilities:
Employment Searches & Record-Keeping
- Lead efforts to ensure that safe, near-term employment with a living wage is identified and secured for ORIS’s refugee and asylum-seeking clients by working with case managers to match client needs with available jobs.
- Meet with clients individually to discuss career goals and develop short-term plans and long-term strategies for achieving goals, including career counseling and assistance with accessing education and resources for pursuing desired careers.
- Facilitate the job application process for clients, including assisting with resume development that highlights skills from employment in other countries; completing necessary application paperwork; and interview preparation.
- Maintain an up-to-date database of employer partners (including pertinent information regarding job requirements and availability).
- Maintain accurate up-to-date records of employment services and placements, offer letters/employment agreements, and other job documentation in applicable online case management systems and digital client case files.
- Appropriately document all expenditures on employment activity including donated items and volunteer time and effort expended on employment-related services for clients; including securing volunteer and/or client signatures for case files.
Employer Outreach & Management
- Conduct regular outreach to develop and maintain positive relationships with employer partners; educate employers on resettlement programs, including advocating the benefits of working with New Americans.
- Act as the main agency point of contact for employment partners during a client’s initial 90-days of employment and beyond, as needed, in order to facilitate communication between employers and clients.
- Research employment opportunities and trends. Collaborate with local employers, agencies, and service providers to understand and keep current with employment needs and available resources.
- Mediate conflicts between employers and clients/employees as needed.
Job Training & Orientation
- Standardize orientation for clients starting new roles to ensure each family has the tools they need to be stellar employees, including information on budgeting income and expenses, cultural norms related to employment expectations, and procedures for employer communications for common issues like needing time off and accessing pay stubs.
- Educate clients on how to search for, apply for, and maintain employment beyond their initial work with ORIS, including identification and utilization of community resources to increase their employment options.
- Research and connect clients with applicable career/trade training programs available throughout the greater Worcester area and remotely.
- Ensure that employers provide adequate job training and clients have access to appropriate language/interpretation resources for training and other critical communications from their employer.
Client Services & Management
- Provide ongoing support and assistance to clients in maintaining their employment as well as addressing any issues or concerns that may arise post-job placement.
- Collaborate regularly with clients’ case managers, and other agency staff, to ensure clients are appropriately supported.
- Conduct 30- and 90-day check-ins with clients after hire to support retention and employment stability.
- Ensure clients have access to appropriate clothing and gear for employment opportunities by providing donated goods and/or referring them to other providers in the community.
- Identify and refer longer-term employment issues to the appropriate staff to provide longer-term supportive services.
- Write and submit case notes for all client-specific employment efforts, including identifying and securing jobs; job training; job orientation; and any follow up conversations with clients or employers regarding employment.
- Maintain professional knowledge and skills by attending relevant workshops, training, and conferences; review professional materials and literature.
- Participate in ORIS staff meetings, and other events as scheduled.
- Perform other duties, and contribute to all-staff activities as needed.
Required Qualifications:
- Experience working across multiple languages and cultures, particularly with refugees or immigrant populations with diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds.
- 2-3 years of experience in providing services that support clients in obtaining and maintaining successful employment.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills; able to communicate effectively and respectfully with clients with varying beliefs, behaviors, orientations, identities, and cultural backgrounds.
- Ability to effectively and efficiently document and report on activities; excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Familiarity with local employment opportunities and resources.
- Ability to be self-directed, motivated, and an independent problem solver. Ability to organize and manage multiple client needs simultaneously.
- Ability to create and maintain healthy professional boundaries with clients.
- Experience using technology, including Microsoft Office, Google Suite, Zoom, and online job search and application platforms.
- Valid driver’s license with a clean driving record and reliable private vehicle. Travel around the greater Worcester area is essential.
- Availability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends, if needed.
- Bilingual proficiency required, preference for languages spoken by ORIS’s clients: Haitian Creole, Arabic, Dari, Pashto, Kiswahili, Vietnamese, Malay, Rohingya, Farsi, among others.
Physical Demands and Working Conditions: The ability to sit and work in an office setting for extended periods of time is required to execute job responsibilities. This role also requires frequent local travel in the employee’s own vehicle (mileage reimbursements available).
How to Apply: Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and resume. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. ORIS is an equal opportunity employer.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $24.00 - $27.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
Schedule:
- 8 hour shift
- Day shift
- Monday to Friday
Ability to Relocate:
- Worcester, MA: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person