About JFCS Pittsburgh

In today’s world, it is important that your life’s work brings you value and purpose. By joining the team at JFCS, you will experience hands-on opportunities that directly help people in the Greater Pittsburgh region through life’s changes and challenges.

Proudly voted by JFCS employees as one of Pittsburgh’s best places to work for +10 years, our care and commitment to our employees and our clients is our top priority. We are looking for new employees who share our commitment to providing critical, high quality services to the community.

Benefits:

• Collaborative work environment and diverse staff
• 37.5 hours work week with flexible scheduling to support work-life balance
• Hybrid work model (part of the week in office, part remote)
• Sick Time = 12 days a year
• Vacation Time = starts at 2 weeks the first year and then increases with longevity up to 4 weeks total
• Additional paid time off for all employees = most federal holidays, 3-5 floating holidays (to be used at employee’s discretion), and a number of Jewish holidays
• Comprehensive health insurance - medical, dental and vision
• Short and long term disability, life insurance and a 401k package for which JFCS contributes 4% of salary after the first year of service
• Annual longevity bonuses after the first year of service

JFCS Career Development Center:

Holding down a job is part of life, but keeping a job or finding a job that you love is challenging. You can help improve peoples’ lives and careers at the JFCS Career Development Center. The team at JFCS helps people find their pathway to obtaining and maintaining satisfying employment by providing career counseling, workshops, job fairs, and other services for job seekers of all ages and backgrounds.

There is a strong ripple effect to our service delivery - happy and well-matched employees actively support the growth and wellbeing of our region’s economy. JFCS Career Development Center works holistically with all other departments in the agency to ensure that people who are struggling get the range of assistance they need.

Position Summary:

The Refugee Employment Developer is responsible for ensuring employable adult refugees find their first jobs in the US within designated timelines specified by federal guidelines. The Employment Developer documents activities and shares client status with appropriate refugee resettlement team members. The Employment Developer stays up to date with local job market trends, and develops relationships with companies and employers. The Developer provides assistance and information to refugee clients on all aspects of employment search and career planning.

Why you should apply

Refugee resettlement brings economic benefits to communities; refugees contribute billions of dollars each year to the US economy through consumer spending and creating business opportunities. Refugees help create vibrant communities and are vital to the labor market. These contributions are now more important than ever due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the decline of the population experienced in Pittsburgh over the last decade. The Employment Developer will be key in helping refugees find jobs, achieve self-sufficiency, and help them revitalize the region’s economy.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree in social service, education or related field; experience preferably in refugee or immigrant social services; bilingual a plus (especially in Arabic, Swahili, Dari or Pashtu); excellent organizational and communication skills as well as ability to work under strict deadlines; ability to work as part of a team, including case workers, employment specialists, interpreters and others; sensitive to cultural differences of clients and staff from diverse backgrounds; functional vehicle required; able to work flexible hours.

Duties and Responsibilities

Pre-employment Counseling Activities:

• Help the employment team develop and strengthen relationships with local employers
• Work closely with the employment team to identify industries and specific companies interested in hiring refugees
• Assess employment needs of clients
• Create individualized job plan and resume with each client
• Provide job counseling (managing client expectations), job search and job development assistance to clients
• Conduct initial employment enrollments
• Communicate frequently with refugee case workers about client progress

Job Placement Activities:

• Assist clients with job applications and follow-up as needed
• Work closely with the employment team to plan and implement job-related workshops for clients
• Prepare clients for interviews, ensures transportation to interview and provides post-interview communication
• Help clients obtain bank accounts and any other documents required for employment

Post-employment Activities:

• Follow up with employed clients according to required schedule and program requirements
• Act as liaison with employers, available to trouble-shoot problems, especially as they relate to cross-cultural issues
• Assist clients with upgrading to better paying/career-oriented jobs as allowed by program priorities

Administrative and Other Activities:

• Maintain accurate written and electronic records in accordance with funding and agency requirements
• Prepare case notes on all contacts with or on behalf of clients as soon as possible
• Participate in departmental staff and planning meetings
• Attend local, regional and national employment meetings and refugee resettlement conferences as needed
• Participate in staff development and training opportunities provided by JFCS
• Assume other responsibilities as assigned related to refugee services and JFCS employees in general.