Employment Specialist

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

IRC Background: The mission of the International Rescue Committee (IRC) is to help people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover and gain control of their future. Founded in 1933, the IRC has a presence in over 40 countries and 27 offices in the United States; the IRC leads the way from harm to home. IRC opened an office in Spokane in 2022 and provides a continuum of services including intensive case management, employment services, immigration assistance, health and wellness programming, and education support to refugee and immigrant families in Washington State. IRC Spokane is committed to providing trauma-informed, equitable, and accessible services and maintaining and evolving a diverse, inclusive, and supportive workplace.

Job Overview: 

The Employment Specialist is responsible for effectively administering services aimed at attaining self-sufficiency through employment for refugees and immigrants who are new to the U.S. Under the supervision of the Economic Wellbeing Program Manager, the Employment Specialist provides employment services to program participants and works closely with employers, community organizations, service providers, and other IRC staff to facilitate job readiness and job placement among program participants. The position is also responsible for documenting employment activities and outcomes and supporting program compliance. The Employment Specialist will predominantly be working under state funded employment programs.

Major Responsibilities: 

Case Management Services

• Provide employment-focused case management to program participants
• Facilitate intake, assessment, and pre-employment orientation for individuals eligible for IRC employment services
• Develop comprehensive employment and self-sufficiency plans for each employable adult and service plans for family members.
• Provide relevant referrals for other resources to clients.
• Provide both group and one-on-one intense job readiness workshops that provide program participants with basic skills required to support employability in the U.S.
• Communicate effectively with DSHS Case Management staff. 
• Identify specific employment opportunities appropriate for individual participants and assist participants in pursuing these opportunities by guiding them through the application, interview, and hiring process.
• Maintain detailed and timely case notes and documentation throughout the service period.
• Monitor and document job performance, wage level, and employer/employee satisfaction post job placement for reporting and compliance purposes.
• Complete 6- & 12-month check in’s with program participants. 
• Enroll clients in IRC provided classes and trainings. 

Employer Relations

• Develop and cultivate strong relationships with area employers to develop and identify appropriate employment opportunities for program participants.
• Actively seek out new employers to become employer partners.
• Provide participants and employers with post-placement support, as needed.

Compliance Documentation

• Monitor and track participant job performance and wage levels as required by program funding
• Gather required documentation and data for case files throughout service period and to support case closeout procedures
• Ensure timely and accurate compliance to all reporting requirements, including database management, case noting, and file maintenance

Team/Office Participation

• Work as part of a team to provide comprehensive, strength-based services to IRC participants through coordination of cases and effective communication between team members and departments
• Participate in all program meetings, and staff development and wellness activities
• Comply with all policies, procedures, and protocols of the agency

Other duties as assigned

Key Working Relationships: 

Position Reports to:  Economic Wellbeing Program Manager

Other Internal and/or external contacts: 

Internal: IRC Spokane Economic Wellbeing team,

other IRC Spokane program teams

      External: DSHS Caseworkers, Local employers, WA Office of Refugee & Immigrant Assistance (ORIA), LEP Pathway contractors, BFET program contractors

Job Requirements:

• Relevant degree or equivalent professional or lived experience
• Knowledge about the U.S. job search, interview, placement, and work experience.
• Demonstrated success working and communicating effectively in a multi-cultural environment.
• Proven ability to contribute both independently and as a key team member.
• Self-starter with excellent problem-solving skills combined with the proven ability to multi-task, prioritize duties, and manage time effectively.
• Professional proficiency in English, both spoken and written.
• Highly organized and capable of keeping up with administrative requirements.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook)
• Commitment to anti-racism and ongoing learning

Preferred:

• Lived experience as a refugee or immigrant is preferred
• Bilingual ability in a language spoken by the local refugee population strongly preferred (including Arabic, Spanish, Swahili, Dari, Pashto, Burmese, Vietnamese or Tigrinya).
• Strong connection and relationship with local client community members.
• Previous experience in employment services programming.

Working Environment:  

• Standard, professional office environment (flexible remote and in-office)
• May require occasional weekend and/or evening work

Compensation: (Pay Range: $23-$25/hr) Posted pay ranges apply to US-based candidates. Ranges are based on various factors including the labor market, job type, internal equity, and budget. Exact offers are calibrated by work location, individual candidate experience and skills relative to the defined job requirements.

This is a short-term role with an anticipated end date of September 30, 2026, and is not eligible for IRC's full benefits package. 

U.S. Benefits for Short‑Term Employees: Short‑term roles are not eligible for IRC’s full benefits package. However, U.S.‑based short‑term employees are eligible for a 403(b) retirement savings plan with employer match (immediate vesting) along with a non-elective employer contribution based on age and years of service (3-year vesting), paid sick leave in accordance with policy, and access to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), which provides confidential counseling and mental health support for employees and their families.  

PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS

All International Rescue Committee workers must adhere to the core values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. Our Standards are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Safeguarding, Conflicts of Interest, Fiscal Integrity, and Reporting Wrongdoing and Protection from Retaliation. IRC is committed to take all necessary preventive measures and create an environment where people feel safe, and to take all necessary actions and corrective measures when harm occurs. IRC builds teams of professionals who promote critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity to deliver the best possible services to our clients.

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US Benefits: We offer a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. In the US, these include: 10 sick days, 10 US holidays, 20-25 paid time off days depending on role and tenure, medical insurance starting at $163 per month, dental starting at $6.50 per month, and vision starting at $5 per month, FSA for healthcare and commuter costs, a 403b retirement savings plans with immediately vested matching, disability & life insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support counseling and care in times of crisis and mental health struggles.

Equal Opportunity Employer: IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.