Description

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:

The WorkSource Career Specialist is responsible for providing training services and support to clients of various backgrounds and skill levels. The focus is on workforce skills, career planning support, training provision, connecting customers to services, ITA/scholarship application review and support to customers, post training follow-up and job placement support. The WorkSource Career Specialist handles inquiries from prospective, current, and former job seekers about the workforce skills training and eligible occupational training opportunities and updated employment opportunities. The WorkSource Career Specialist is responsible for outreach and referral to community resources. The Career Specialist is also responsible for documentation of eligibility and the management of workforce data in Work systems’ data management system.

The WorkSource Career Specialist joins a large team in IRCO’s Workforce Development Sector under the Workforce & Refugee Services Division and collaborates with WorkSource partners (Oregon Employment Department, SE Works, Portland Community College, Mt. Hood Community College among others). This program is funded through Work systems.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Assist and guide participants on use of WorkSource services and assess needs for career and/or training plan development. Work with participants on plans for skill attainment in support of career goals and to update or retrain for the current labor market.
• Review and verify participant readiness for training opportunities, review applications for training scholarships and recommend scholarships to support training as defined by the regional program standards.
• Attract customers, increase engagement, and facilitate access for traditionally underserved population.
• Develop and maintain collaborative working relationships between the staff, client services, and the funding agencies.
• Gather, compile, and maintain current labor market data to provide information to clients seeking advice on the current labor market and projected employment opportunities.
• Participate in training scholarship committee meetings, present applications to the scholarship review team and assist in the decision-making process for awarding WorkSource training scholarships funded through WIOA and other grants.
• Facilitate support services to help participants overcome barriers to participation in WorkSource services and employment as defined by the regional program standards.
• Stay up to date on the evolving service offerings; promote and facilitate customer access to the full suite of WorkSource services.
• Follow-up with training performances of customers awarded training scholarships and collect the required accreditation documents like certificate, diplomas, and others.
• Follow-up with completers of WorkSource-funded training to capture employment information and connect them to employers as needed.
• Conduct participant eligibility documentation for WIOA Adult, Dislocated Worker and Youth as defined by regional program standards.
• Refer WorkSource participants to Aligned Partner Network organizations and WIOA-funded Youth Workforce System providers as appropriate.
• General SNAP outreach activities
• Refer scholarship applicants receiving SNAP to OED’s STEP program for co-enrollment.
• Conduct and help develop regular career workshops to the customers as well as community resources webinars as outlined by monthly workshop schedules. 
• Follow-up with cohort training schedules and provide outreach to engage customers in these training opportunities. 
• Document service and performance data in I-Trac database. 
• Monitor the day-to-day customer service flow by documenting everyday activities.
• Verify customers eligibility for SNAP E&T program services on monthly basis.
• Identify and document client tracking using iTrac and WOMIS, review reports for accuracy and makes corrections as needed.
• Keep track of clients’ status in a shared spreadsheet 
• Track program services, collect data, and secure release of information agreements according to WorkSystems policies.
• Deliver WorkSource services for career coaches within Central City Concern as an extension of the WSPM Center's offerings – in collaboration with Central City Concern Liaison. This may include, but is not limited to, presentations to Central City Concern career coaches; delivery of one-on-one services, WIOA documentation, resource room assistance and recommendations to additional WorkSource services and programs in response to customer need.

SECONDARY FUNCTIONS:

• Explore other community resources regarding available alternatives for addressing client barriers. 
• Participate in regularly scheduled joint program meetings with partners and/or program orientations and trainings, as required. 
• Maintain current knowledge of program policies and procedures. 
• Attend all-staff meetings with OED to keep up to date with Center policies.
• Perform related duties as defined by the WorkSource Operational Standards.

Requirements

JOB SPECIFIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience in record keeping and case management systems.
• Experience in conducting training and workshops.
• Experience in in facilitating ITA/scholarship processing.
• Knowledge of vocational counseling for individuals with barriers to employment
• Knowledge of the local job market and concerns of private employers
• Must be able to pass an extensive criminal history background check. 

KNOWLEDGE:

Education:  Bachelor's Degree (4)

Experience: 1-2 years of experience is required (3)

Licensure, Certification:

Additional Language Required: Bi-lingual preferred, but not required.

Computers: All positions at IRCO require use of a computer and experience working with Microsoft Products including but not limited to Microsoft 365, Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint. 

SKILLS:

Communication:

Regular communication inside and outside the organization to exchange ideas and gather information (5)

Creativity:

Minimal need for the redesign of single focus process or procedure is needed (2)

EFFORT:

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 (3)

Physical:

Positions at this level require minimal physical effort such as light lifting, carrying or movement, etc. Physical capability involves use of office or equipment where some agility and hand eye coordination are needed (2)

RESPONSIBILITY:

Impact and Influence:

Positions at this level have some need or ability to analyze problem or concepts or make decisions on the information. Positions at this level have some impact to and influence on organization operations, programs, expense or budgetary outcomes. (3)

Work Independence:

Positions at this level are expected to handle regularly assigned work which includes making decisions and taking action under limited supervision. New or unusual work is performed with a moderate degree of supervision, assistance, and review. (3)

Planning:

Positions at this level must consider own work and work of others. Planning processes will include determination of issues or obstacles and preferred courses of action. Ability to forecast for the near future (six to twelve months) is required (3)

Supervision:

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. (1)

WORKING CONDITIONS:

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. (1)

Schedule:

The work schedule is mostly stable and does not fluctuate without prior notice. (2)

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 www.irco.org. 

3. Email jobs@irco.org with questions about this position. 

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. Applications without both a cover letter and Resume will be dismissed as incomplete.

ABOUT IRCO:

IRCO's mission is to welcome, serve, and empower refugees, immigrants and people across cultures and generations to reach their full potential. Our vision is a future where all refugees and immigrants belong, our staff are nurtured, and all communities thrive. 

Founded in 1976 by refugees for refugees, IRCO has over 40 years of experience working with refugee and immigrant communities in the Portland metropolitan area, and over five years in Eastern Oregon. IRCO is the largest provider of employment services and job training for newly arrived refugees in Oregon; and we support families at every stage of their lives from the time they arrive in Oregon. Find out more at www.irco.org.