Job Title: Employment Specialist
Location: Rohingya Culture Center, 2740 W. Devon Ave. Chicago, IL 60659
Schedule / Duration: Full time
Starting Salary: $40,000 annual
Overtime Eligible: No (Exempt)
Supervised by: Program Director, Program Assistant, Senior Case Manager
Rohingya Culture Center Background:
The Rohingya Culture Center (RCC) was founded in 2016 in the heart of Chicago’s West Ridge/West Rogers Park neighborhood to meet the needs of the city’s growing Rohingya refugee population. Since 2010, over 600 Rohingya families have resettled in Chicago, and RCC has become a vital resource for them, offering language classes, employment support, youth programs, and access to social services. RCC serves not only the Rohingya but also other refugee and immigrant communities seeking assistance.
Job Overview:
Position Summary: We are seeking an Employment Specialist to join our team in providing comprehensive employment services to refugee and immigrant clients. This role involves working collaboratively with case managers, RSS assistants, and other team members to develop Individual Employment Plans (IEPs), provide job readiness training, facilitate job placements, and offer post-employment support. The Employment Specialist will also provide social adjustment services, connect clients to community resources, and assist in securing Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) as needed.
Key Responsibilities:
Complete Individual Employment Plans (IEPs) as part of the Family Self-Sufficiency Plan (FSSP).
Provide job readiness training and pre-employment counseling.
Assist clients with job search, placement, and securing sustainable employment.
Conduct 90-day job retention follow-up and provide post-employment support.
Offer social adjustment services and refer clients to community resources.
Assist clients in obtaining Employment Authorization Documents (EADs).
Collaborate with team members (case managers, RSS assistant, etc.) to meet client goals and track progress.
Establish new employer partnerships and regularly reach out to existing employer partners to maintain contact
Host and coordinate job fairs and job outings with employment partners.
Work with other case managers and the RSS assistant to meet team metrics
Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Human Services, Business, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
At least 1 year of experience in employment services, workforce development, or related fields.
Experience working with refugee or immigrant populations preferred.
Fluency in English is required.
Fluency in Rohingya, Burmese, or Malay is preferred.
Strong organizational, communication, and teamwork skills.
Tech savvy; proficiency with MS Office
Excellent communication skills and ability to quickly build rapport with clients and staff.
Self-motivated and accountable, with commitment to service.
Highly organized and able to meet strict deadlines.
Creative approach to assisting clients with multiple barriers to gain employment and keep employment.
Understanding of social media in relation to employment searches and professional networking.
Working Conditions:
Full-time with occasional evening or weekend work to support client engagement.
Requires local travel to meet clients and attend community outreach activities.
The role is based in an office setting but includes some fieldwork for client support.
How to Apply: Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter to Maddie@rccchicago.org.