[Hiring] Career Development Specialist @International Rescue Committee

Role Description

The Career Development Specialist is the participant's primary point of contact in the program, working remotely with refugees across the country by phone, video, and online tools. From intake and eligibility verification through an approved Professional Advancement Plan (PAP), this position guides each participant toward their career goal, whether that means finding a training partner, completing credential evaluation and recertification, or moving forward with an approved vehicle purchase. The role coordinates closely with the Economic Empowerment Technical Unit, administrative and job development staff, and external resettlement partners to ensure participants move smoothly between services, while maintaining accurate case records and documentation in Efforts to Outcomes (ETO) in line with ORR reporting requirements and IRC financial controls.

Major Responsibilities

• Outreach and Intake
  • Conduct virtual outreach, intake, and enrollment for eligible participants, including verifying eligibility documentation.
  • Coordinate with IRC offices, resettlement agencies, and local partners to identify and connect with eligible participants.
• Career Navigation
  • Complete a skills assessment with each participant and develop an individualized Professional Advancement Plan (PAP) that defines their career goal, pathway, and planned use of direct financial assistance.
  • Review the PAP with each participant, provide feedback on the career goal, and confirm that proposed use of funds meets ORR eligible-use requirements.
  • Provide ongoing navigation by phone and video to help participants access training, credential evaluation and recertification, and other approved supports.
  • Research career advancement, certification, and vocational education opportunities across state and local labor markets.
  • Connect participants to resources and services within IRC and in their local communities.
  • Maintain working knowledge of credential evaluation services and state licensing requirements in high-demand fields, and carry a caseload of participants pursuing those pathways.
• Coordination
  • Work with the Economic Empowerment Technical Unit, Administrative Staff, and Job Development staff so participants move smoothly between navigation, training, and placement services, and to ensure financial assistance requests align with approved PAPs.
  • Coordinate with other service providers, including PIR providers and Matching Grant employment specialists, to support co-enrollment and avoid duplication of services.
• Compliance
  • Maintain accurate, timely case files in Efforts to Outcomes (ETO), including documentation and the service and outcome data required for ORR reporting.
  • Ensure documentation for each financial assistance request is complete before submission, consistent with IRC financial controls.

Qualifications

• 1-2 years of demonstrated experience in a human services field, preferably in a nonprofit or social services setting.
• Strong written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to build rapport with clients by phone and video.
• Ability to deliver services remotely to clients across states and time zones, protect client confidentiality and sensitive documents, and work independently as part of a fully virtual team.
• Experience managing a high-volume caseload, with strong organization, prioritization, time management, and follow-through.
• Ability to build and maintain productive internal and external relationships.
• Ability to research and navigate workforce, education, and social service systems in unfamiliar local markets.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, video conferencing, and remote collaboration tools, and with tracking and reporting information in a database.
• Commitment to anti-racism, ongoing learning, and equitable service to all eligible clients.
• Fluency in spoken and written English.

Preferred

• Undergraduate degree in Social Work or a related field.
• Experience in workforce development, career coaching, or case management.
• Lived experience as a refugee or immigrant.
• Experience with Efforts to Outcomes (ETO).
• Familiarity with credential evaluation, professional licensing, or recertification pathways.
• Fluency in an additional language relevant to current refugee populations.

Benefits

• 10 paid sick leave.
• 10 U.S. holidays.
• 20-25 generous paid time off based on role and tenure.
• Medical insurance starting at $163/month.
• Dental starting at $6.50/month.
• Vision starting at $5/month.
• Flexible spending accounts (healthcare, dependent care, and commuter).
• A 403(b) retirement savings plan with employer match (immediate vesting) along with a non-elective employer contribution based on age and years of service (3-year vesting).
• Disability and life insurance.
• An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offering confidential counseling and support services for employees and their families.

Equal Opportunity Employer

IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.