Employment Specialist

Refugee Dream Center (RDC) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization engaged in the reception, placement, and post-resettlement of refugees. Our approach is based on offering direct services to refugees and gap-filling to ensure self-sufficiency. RDC is also a strong advocacy agency for the rights of refugees.

Refugee Dream Center is a common venue for community engagement and cultural exchange, and it is a home away from home for refugees. It is a place for caring, self-help, healing, personal and professional development, and a venue for empowerment, strengths cultivation, and accompaniment toward success.

Position Assignment Objectives & Staff Role

Goal of the Position: The Employment Specialist supports the Education & Employment department by supporting the Workforce Development Project. This includes coordinating, planning, executing, and assigning program activities; workforces training and skills development; computer skills; and employment placement for clients. The Employment Specialist also engages volunteer coordination, mentor management, and data collection analysis, reporting, and dissemination. The goal includes the objectives below, as well as any other tasks assigned by the Programs Manager of the Education & Employment department, Sanjana Nair.

Objective 1:

• Workforce Coordination
• Individual employment plan development & resume building
• Career counseling & interest assessment
• Job readiness training (work culture understanding, personal hygiene, timeliness, finances, respect for authority, interpersonal relationships, work performance responsibility, rights and responsibilities, importance of maintaining jobs)
• Personalized job search assistance
• Job interview training
• Employer engagement & partnership building
• Phone call/email outreach to internal & external referrals
• Workplace accompaniment & transportation assistance
• Coordination with Education Specialist & volunteer instructors
• Job & Employer Partnership Building
• Job fair visits
• Tailoring internal job fairs
• Inviting & hosting employers & community organizations
• Forging new employer collaborations

III. Collaboration & Capacity Building

• SNAP Employment &; Training (SNAP E&T) and Rhode Island Works (RIW), both funded by the Department of Human Services (DHS).
• Meeting with State Refugee Coordinator (DHS) - ORR
• Meeting with Programming Services Officer (DHS) - RI Works
• Ensuring states & organizational participant requirements are met
• Tracking, reporting, & coordination of services

Objective 2:

• Data Management
• Capturing photos and videos of services
• Recording testimonials from clients post service
• Timely entries into Google Drive, Salesforce, & other reporting platforms
• Maintenance & tracking submissions on the enrollment form

Key duties include:

• Monitor, track, and maintain up-to-date records of all SNAP E&T prospective and active
• participants, including determining eligibility, completing applications, verifying English
• class attendance, and coordinating with participants referred by DHS.
• Coordinate and deliver SNAP E&T services: group or 1:1 tutoring of ESOL classes and transportation assistance (bus passes).
• Accurately record all services delivered and maintain detailed participant profiles in
• Salesforce and other relevant platforms such as the EARR.
• Support Rhode Island Works participants through assessments and referrals for
• supportive services, including domestic violence intervention, housing search
• assistance, mental health treatment, and others.
• For every RIW referral, facilitate and document work readiness and supportive services
• in Salesforce and EARR.
• Attend all SNAP E&T and RI Works training sessions and meetings as required.
• For SNAP E&T: prepare and submit comprehensive monthly reports, including
• reimbursement reports, outcome reports, eligibility reports, and narrative summaries. For
• RIW: prepare weekly outcomes reports for each referral as needed.
• Assist with document evaluation for employment
• Help with work-based trainings

Skills & Qualifications

Applicants should have the following skills and experience:

• A bachelor’s, master’s degree and/or relevant experience in the field
• Possess an understanding of refugee resettlement and the perceptions about refugees in Rhode Island
• Possesses excellent writing, public relations, and speaking skills
• Ability to identify learning opportunities for self and others, and take/recommend action
• Ability to communicate and model the Refugee Dream Center’s mission, values, and priorities to staff and stakeholders
• Ability to work independently and with teams, with great interpersonal skills, and to build core leadership structures among team members
• Ability to delegate work among staff and volunteers, holding them accountable for deadlines
• Ability to empower staff and/or volunteers to take initiative and be creative
• Be able to work with groups of people at varying levels and positions
• Possesses problem-solving skills and the ability to quickly assess issues and develop new strategies
• Be proficient with Microsoft Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and Google Suite (Docs, Sheets, Slides), as well as standard office equipment and related software tools
• Able to manage multiple projects with attention to detail and the ability to maintain focus while dealing with interruptions
• Be willing to learn and master Salesforce data management tool
• Be creative, innovative, and able to take initiative
• Must be able to pass a criminal background check

Working Conditions:

Work is typically performed in an office and office settings. On occasions, work may be conducted outside the office for activities within the community. There may be occasional travel for home visits, attending meetings, and workshops. Driving is required.

Supervision: The Employment Specialist reports directly to the Program Manager with additional supervision by the Executive Director.

Application Process:

Refugee Dream Center participates in E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility. We are an equal opportunity employer and encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and experiences. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Pay: $25.00 - $26.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40.0 per week

Work Location: In person

Salary : $25 - $26