Job Title: Employment Counselor

Department: Refugee Services

Reports To: Resettlement and Matching Grant Senior Manager

FLSA Status: Exempt, 1.0 FTE

Salary: $50,000 - $52,000 Annually, depends on experience

Prepared Date: 05/30/2024

Organization Description:

The International Institute of Minnesota (IIMN) is a dynamic organization that provides services to maximize the talents and opportunities New Americans bring to our state. IIMN assists low-income New Americans in their transition to a new homeland by providing comprehensive services for successful integration. IIMN serves more than 4,000 New Americans annually with new arrival social services to employment placement and advancement through to U.S. Citizenship attainment. Programs are divided into three primary areas: Refugee Services, Education and Employment Training Services, and Immigration Services. IIMN also provides advocacy for policy reforms and supports systems change that improve opportunities for New Americans to move their lives forward.

Purpose:

The Employment Counselor will work with clients in the Matching Grant program to provide employment services for refugees, asylees, and other eligible immigrants. Participants receive job counseling to find permanent employment in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area. This is an innovative program, and staff members work closely with clients to secure employment at an accelerated pace shortly after their arrival in the United States. In addition to employment counseling and assistance, clients in the program receive financial support, housing, and transportation assistance.

Duties and Responsibilities:

· Provide culturally-informed advice and assistance to newly-arrived immigrant clients

· Work with employable adults to attain employment goals, address barriers to employment, and identify and make use of appropriate community resources

· Network with employers to create job opportunities for immigrant clients

· Provide intensive orientation to the U.S. work culture.

· Maintain detailed records of services provided in case files and case notes in CRM database

· Teach weekly job club and help clients create resumes

· Assist clients with opening bank accounts and provide financial orientation

· Ensure that clients can arrive at work independently and on time

· Plan and coordinate bi-monthly Institute employment team meetings

· Attend weekly, monthly, and quarterly staff meetings

· Train and mentor program interns and volunteers

· Other duties as assigned

Requirements:

·

· Commitment to the human rights and general welfare of refugees, and immigrants

· An undergraduate degree preferred but equivalent experience will be considered

• Strong interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, multicultural environment, take initiative, work independently, and prioritize multiple simultaneous needs
• Bilingual in English and Amharic, Arabic, French, Karen, Kiswahili, Oromo, Somali, or Spanish preferred

· Must have a valid driver’s license, insurance, and own car and be willing to transport clients in your vehicle

· Knowledge of the Twin Cities’ job market, hiring trends, and application procedures

· Experience working with immigrants and refugees preferred

· Skilled in problem solving and able to independently address issues as they arise

· Contacts in the human resources field helpful

· Experience with Microsoft Office applications.

· Fully vaccinated for COVID-19

Physical Demands:

· Use of manual dexterity, tactile, visual, and audio acuity

· Use of repetitive motion, prolonged periods of sitting, and sustained visual and mental applications and demands

· Occasional lifting (up to 25 pounds), bending, pulling, and carrying

EEO Statement:

International Institute of Minnesota values a diverse workplace and strongly encourages women, people of color, LGBT individuals, New Americans to apply. IIMN is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will not be discriminated against because of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religion, national origin, citizenship status, disability, or any protected category prohibited by local, state, or federal laws.

To apply: Visit our website: www.iimn.org. No phone calls or walk-ins, please.

Position open until filled.

References will be required at the time of the final interview.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $50,000.00 - $52,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Mileage reimbursement
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

Ability to Relocate:

• Saint Paul, MN 55108: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person