Bilingual Employment Specialist

Download Bilingual Employment Specialist Job Description PDF

Area/Program Focus: The Refugee Employment Program

Position Summary: The LEP CalWORKS and Refugee Employment Program has three main goals. The first goal is to assist Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) and Non-cash clients to become economically self-sufficient within the shortest period of time after their arrival in the United States of America. The second is to assist LEP CalWORKs clients to meet their CalWORKs work requirements and to become economically self-sufficient, and the third is to assist LEP GA clients to successfully gain employment.

The Bilingual Employment Specialist is responsible for providing comprehensive employment services to limited English-proficient CalWORKS and refugee clients. This includes orienting them to U.S. work settings, helping them to set goals, apply for jobs, and prepare for interviews. The Employment Specialist is also responsible for job development, by building relationships with local employers that leads to placing clients in employment positions with local employers. The Employment specialist works closely with the VESL teachers, VESL teacher aides, computer instructors, and program manager to ensure a successful program.

Reports to: Director of Refugee Resettlement & Employment

Responsibilities: All responsibilities will be in line with the Council on Accreditation (COA) standards including:

Essential Responsibilities:

• Develop positive rapport with clients to encourage positive participation in program.
• Establish contracts and relationships with employers that will result in jobs and on-the-job training contracts for clients
• Work with employers to develop individualized on-the-job training plans that will prepare clients for work within a specific field. Monitor the progress of the training plans through frequent follow-up calls and visits.
• Mediate client-employer communication difficulties or cultural differences that are interfering with client’s job performance.
• Set up and maintain client files, comply with all county reporting requirements, and enter data in agency database.
• Ensure that clients are making adequate progress in scheduled VESL and basic employment skills classes.
• Help clients develop short term and long-term employability and educational goals that will lead to long-term economic self-sufficiency.
• Help clients devise strategies for overcoming multiple barriers to employment (such as child care, transportation).
• Work with program staff to develop comprehensive VESL and employment skills program.
• Provide one-on-one motivational counseling to clients that will prepare them to overcome obstacles to entering the workforce. Counsel clients on the reality of the American workplace, how to get and maintain employment, and how to present a positive image to employers.
• Conduct formal follow-up evaluations with employers and clients.
• Other duties as assigned.

Culture of Philanthropy: A culture of philanthropy is each person in the organization serving as an ambassador, promoting the organization’s mission and promoting giving to the agency. 

Agency Culture: The business and social environment we operate in today has changed. What worked yesterday may not work today and will likely not work tomorrow. To thrive, we must incorporate new ways of thinking and embrace new practices. As part of our individual and agency cultural change process, it is critical that all employees of Catholic Charities aspire to the following:

• A commitment to the agency’s mission, vision, and values
• A commitment to excellence in everything we do
• A commitment to accreditation as well as performance and quality improvement
• A commitment to outcomes and measured results
• A commitment to innovation and to what is possible

Qualifications/Requirements:

• BA or equivalent.
• Experienced and skilled in negotiating with employers to hire our clients.
• Knowledge of labor market information and local trends in employment.
• Familiar with cultures of local refugee and immigrant groups.
• Must be bilingual in one of the following: Burmese, Bhutanese, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Dari/Pashtu/Farsi or Arabic.
• Experienced working with diverse populations including English and Non-English speaking clients.
• Team player.
• Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Computer skills including word processing, Internet, and data entry.
• Valid driver’s license & insurance.
• Must provide own vehicle for transportation.

Benefit Status:   Benefits include group medical, dental and vision insurance; 403(b) Plan, plus life and disability insurance, paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave.

FLSA Status:   Non-Exempt

Full Time/Part Time Status:   Regular Part-time

TO APPLY: Please include the title of position in the subject line before submittal of cover letter and resume. Position is open until filled. Please send your cover letter and resume as follows:

Via Email (preferred method of submittal): HR@cceb.org

Via Mail: 
Catholic Charities of the East Bay 
Attn: Human Resources 
433 Jefferson Street 
Oakland, CA 94607