P/T CAREER SPECIALIST (20 hrs./wk) - Northeast Philadelphia

The Career Specialist is a part-time (20 hours per week) position on The Welcoming Center’s (TWC) Workforce Development team and plays an integral role in relationship management with program staff, participants, and external employer and training program stakeholders. In collaboration with program staff/directors/volunteers, the Career Specialist guides participants in planning for short- and long-term career goals. The P/T Career Specialist will provide direct support to participants in TWC’s English for Job Search classes and other programming geared toward English Language Learners (ELLs), primarily in Northeast Philadelphia. The Specialist may coordinate, develop, and deliver career-related workshops and seminars that are consistent with TWC participants’ career interests and responsive to employer and/or other job training program demands.

A successful candidate for the Career Specialist position will operate effectively in a dynamic, fast-paced, and sometimes ambiguous non-profit environment; embrace diverse opinions and viewpoints; and operate from an asset-based perspective. We’re seeking someone who will strive for quality in program delivery and outcomes without sacrificing attention to individual participant needs. This role requires strong interpersonal, time management, organizational, and administrative skills as well as the ability to professionally engage external relationships with employer partners and job training programs. An ability to interact with a wide variety of people from different backgrounds with cultural competency and respect and a commitment to quality is a must. The candidate will be bilingual and/or have experience working with adult English Language Learners (ELLs).

· Thorough understanding of human resources recruitment/onboarding or career coaching/counseling practices, techniques, and theories.

· Strong interpersonal skills and an ability to adapt to intercultural communication, presenting both a professional and approachable demeanor.

· Demonstrate an integrated approach to coaching and rapport-building; Excellent listening skills, allowing for language and culture differences in communication with an ability to demonstrate empathy.

· Excellent verbal, written, and telephone communication skills.

· Strong commitment to the core values of community, collaboration, imaginative thinking and taking an asset-based, participant-centered approach.

· Commitment to inter-team communication and cohesiveness and sustaining a supportive and collegial culture during programmatic changes and growth. Willingness to be a part of a team where everyone’s highest and best work is a goal.

· Strong ability to externally share information and promote the program in outreach efforts to local institutions, organizations, community groups and potential employer partners.

· Availability to share evening and occasional weekend hours with fellow teammates (evening hours until 7:30pm) for programming and rendering workforce development services.

· Highly organized and detail-oriented with an ability to see projects through to completion and effectively communicate updates to supervisor, colleagues, and staff across programs.

· Strong computer skills, including an understanding of cloud-based computer platforms. Familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite and SharePoint, Salesforce, LinkedIn, and other job- seeking online tools, and remote learning tools.

Work environment

• A dynamic, fast-paced, and sometimes ambiguous non-profit environment
• Operates in a professional hybrid office environment involving in-person and virtual work. This role routinely uses standard office equipment and virtual platforms such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, Microsoft Teams, and Zoom.
• Travel is required. Career Specialist will work in-person at TWC’s main office in Center City and the PATH Inc in Northeast Philly.

Required education and experience

· Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required in human resources, business, intercultural communication, education, or other relevant field.

· Minimum of 2 years of experience in workforce development or human resources such as job placement, training job search/career readiness skills, creating career development plans, screening applications, interviewing, and hiring.

· Minimum of 1 year demonstrated experience or equivalent training in career pathway development or one-on-one job search coaching.

· Lived or working experience with immigrant and refugee communities and/or communities of color.

· Experience working with English Language Learners strongly preferred.

· Bilingual ability is a plus, though not required.

· Familiarity with Northeast Philadelphia communities, organizations, employers, and job search resources a plus.

Affirmative Action/EEO statement

· The Welcoming Center does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.

• The Welcoming Center will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities unless doing so would result in an undue hardship. This policy governs all aspects of employment, including selection, job assignment, compensation, discipline, termination, and access to benefits and training.

Salary and hours

$30.00 per hour; 20 hours per week (Maximum wages of $14,400 for contract period)

Grant funded, six (6) month contract (January 2024 to June 2024)

A copy of the full job description will be provided to qualified candidates prior to the interview.

How to apply

Please send cover letter and resume to jobs@welcomingcenter.orgwith subject line: P/T Career Specialist, Northeast Philly. Applications must include a cover letter and resume tailored to this job posting. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please send any inquiries or questions via email.

Applications due by Sunday, November 12, 2023.

Job Types: Temporary, Contract, Part-time

Pay: $30.00 per hour

Expected hours: 20 per week

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Application Question(s):

• Do you have lived or working experience with immigrant and refugee communities and/or communities of color?
• How many years of job coaching or recruiting experience do you currently have?
• Do you have professional connections in the Northeast Philadelphia?

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

Work Location: In person