Employment Specialist, Refugee Resettlement

Position Title: Employment Specialist

Organization: Jewish Family Service of San Diego

Department: Refugee Resettlement

Position Type: Full-Time (37.5+ hours/week), Non-Exempt

Work Setting: Hybrid

Reports To: Employment Program Manager

Pay Range: $23/hour

Total Compensation:  

In addition to standard pay, compensation for this position includes:

• Comprehensive, low-cost healthcare coverage for employees
• Generous employer 401(k) contributions
• Employer-covered life insurance

Time Away from Work:

Being able to take time away from work is critical in bringing your best self to work. Time off benefits for this position include:

• Paid vacation time and sick leave
• 15 paid holidays, including Federal and Jewish holidays (as long as the holiday lands on a normal scheduled work day), and floating holidays
• 2 Wellness Days to be taken any time during the year to support employees’ mental wellness

Position Overview: 

JFS is looking for a compassionate, mission-driven individual to join the Refugee Resettlement team as the Employment Specialist. In this role, you have the opportunity to use your training skills and customer service experience to make a meaningful difference in your community and help change lives across San Diego. The Employment Specialist plays an integral role on the team and supports the entire agency by providing workforce development coaching to refugee clients in employment programs. This position reports directly to the Employment Program Manager and works closely with the Employment Team and the rest of the Refugee Resettlement team.

Responsibilities:

• Provide employment services to refugees and other eligible populations under the Wilson/Fish San Diego Newcomers Project
• Conduct comprehensive employment assessments to determine job readiness, skills, and career goals
• Develop individualized employment plans outlining steps for job placement and career advancement
• Assist clients with resume development, job applications, and interview preparation, providing 1-1 job search and application support
• Identify and cultivate relationships with employers to create job opportunities for clients, collaborating with Job Developer and rest of Employment Team
• Conduct job readiness workshops, including workplace culture, soft skills, and financial literacy, coordinating space reservation, creation of workshop materials and interpretation
• Facilitate the creation of workshops such as Job Readiness Trainings, Hygiene Management, US Workplace Culture, Public Transportation, LinkedIn 101 for group and 1-1 presentation
• Coordinate vocational training, certification programs, and ESL referrals to enhance employability
• Support clients in accessing supportive services such as transportation, medical attention and food assistance to remove employment barriers
• Collaborate with case managers, housing specialists, and other staff to provide holistic client support
• Maintain accurate case notes, track client progress, and submit required reports in compliance with program guidelines
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and program-specific employment regulations
• Advocate for equitable workplace practices and employer accommodation as needed
• Conduct follow-ups with both clients and employers to ensure job retention and success
• Represent the agency in community outreach efforts, attending approved meetings, business mixers, job fairs, and other events to expand employment opportunities
• Stay informed on labor market trends and workforce development strategies relevant to refugee employment
• Uses specialized database software to complete data entry updates daily while updating physical files
• Other duties as assigned

Skills/Experience/Abilities That Are a Must-Have:

• Must have a valid CA driver's license, insurance, a reliable personal vehicle, and a willingness to travel off-site to conduct meetings with employers and facilitate interviews with clients, providing client transportation
• Experience serving as a trainer, preferably with diverse and underrepresented groups
• Strong computer skills including ability to learn and use specialty database software, proficiency in Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook, familiarity with web-based applications including Canva and Google products
• Excellent written, telephone and oral communication skills
• Ability to work effectively in a high-str