Job Developer - Client Focused

About the Organization

Nationalities Service Center (NSC) serves more than 5,000 immigrants and refugees each year from over 110 countries. We provide comprehensive services in immigration law matters, community transition and integration, access to health and wellness, language access and proficiency, and job readiness training for immigrants and refugees. NSC’s mission is to welcome and empower immigrants to thrive in our communities and pursue a just future. Our vision is that all immigrants achieve a life of safety and stability, sustainable opportunities, and meaningful community connections.

Program Summary:

The Employment Team is dedicated to providing specialized assistance to resettled immigrants and refugees in their pursuit of employment, aiming to foster financial security and independence. Our team concentrates on essential aspects such as resume writing, conducting mock interviews, and achieving retention goals to facilitate the establishment of sustainable careers. Functioning as intermediaries between employers and clients, the Employment Team is committed to ensuring successful job placements. Additionally, our services extend to achieving job upgrades, and attaining long-term career stability through building long-lasting employer partnerships.

Job Summary/Definition:

The Job Developer’s primary responsibility is to provide direct, client-centered support to newly arrived refugees and immigrants, helping them navigate the U.S. job market and achieve self-sufficiency. This role focuses on working closely with clients to set realistic employment goals, match job opportunities to their skills and qualifications, and guide them through the job search and application process. The Job Developer also assists clients in overcoming workplace challenges related to cultural differences, language barriers, and job adaptation.

Reporting to the Manager of Employment Team, this role requires a compassionate approach, strong communication skills, and attention to details. The position plays a vital role in supporting NSC’s Employment Team by providing tailored job readiness support, maintaining accurate client records, and ensuring compliance with program and funder requirements.

Job Duties:

Essential Duties:

1. Strategically match job opportunities tailored to clients’ skills, qualifications, and work history, ensuring realistic expectations of employment in the U.S. job market.
2. Use motivational and persuasive techniques to guide clients toward understanding the importance of early employment as a key step toward achieving self-sufficiency.
3. Provide comprehensive support to clients in resume development, interview preparation, and job application, facilitating Job Club, to ensure long-term client success.
4. Collaborate with clients to set clear employment goals and actively seek new employment opportunities to advance their career pathways.
5. Accompany clients to job interviews, offering guidance on transportation routes and providing necessary training to ensure preparedness and confidence during the interview process.
6. Assist clients in navigating workplace challenges related to cultural differences, language barriers, and job adaptation.
7. Act as a primary liaison between clients and other Job Developers, being available to interact with employers when needed.
8. Maintain an up-to-date case notes in database, track progress, job placements, and retention, ensuring compliance with funder guidelines and organizational standards.
9. Work closely with employment staff and case managers to meet program goals and attend weekly meetings to represent the Employment Team.
10. Assist in interviewing, supervising, and training interns to support the growth and development of the employment team.
11. Utilize persuasive techniques to ensure clients are successfully employed according to the timelines required by our funders.
12. Perform any additional duties or tasks as required by the supervisor or in response to evolving program needs.

Non-Essential Duties:

1. Cultivate and foster strong partnerships with employers when needed, to hire refugees and immigrants, including those with limited English skills, through strategic in-person networking, outreach calls, and participation in job fairs.
2. Assist in identifying and securing employment opportunities, ensuring realistic expectations for clients’ first job in the U.S.
3. When needed, engage with new employers and maintain relationships with existing partners to expand job placement opportunities.
4. Serve as the primary liaison between employers and clients, helping to resolve concerns related to cultural differences, language barriers, and workplace adaptation.
5. Accompany clients to interviews and provide training on transportation routes and interview preparedness to ensure clients are well-equipped throughout the hiring process.

Knowledge/Skill Requirements:

• Basic understanding of NSC’s mission, vision, values, programs and services.
• Ability to effectively use standard office equipment.
• Possesses strong interpersonal skills as demonstrated by compassionate, courteous, cordial, cooperative, and professional interaction with diverse groups of co-workers, external business partners, and the community.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and effectively communicating with individuals and groups.
• Knowledge of basic client management procedures for determining eligibility, assessing needs, identifying resources, making referrals, following up, and documenting client interactions and proactively supporting clients’ pursuit of goals.
• Ability to effectively interview and engage a client in appropriate programming.
• Ability to effectively conduct one on one advocacy and/or educational presentations.

Education/Experience Requirements:

Minimum Experience: 2+ years of Career Coaching or Job Developing experience is preferred. Working within the refugee and immigrant community is a plus. Bilingual skills are preferred, with preference given to Swahili, French Spanish, or Arabic languages.

Minimum Education: BA/BS degree from an accredited college or university in a related field of study or 1 + experience in a related field.

Licensure: Valid driver’s license with access to reliable transportation is preferred but not required

Location and hours:

This is a full-time, in-person position based in our Philadelphia office with potential for hybrid work as team needs allow. Our regular hours are Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, and this position requires working occasional evenings and weekends. We have COVID-19 safety protocols in place, and we revisit and update them in accordance with city, state, and federal guidelines.

Working Conditions:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
2. This position will be fully in-person at NSC’s Center City office.
3. COVID-Vaccine: NSC has determined that the best way to protect our employees and the community we serve is to require all staff who are working on-site be fully vaccinated.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. While performing the duties of this job, the employees will need to maneuver around the office, be in a stationary position for extended periods of time, handle or feel objects, tools or equipment.
2. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
3. Operate related office equipment and use necessary tools.
4. Specific vision abilities required by the job include: frequent reading and close vision; distance vision; color vision; peripheral vision; depth perception; and the ability to adjust focus.

Commitment to Inclusion Statement:

NSC is an equal opportunity employer committed to a policy of non-discrimination in all employment practices and does not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, nor any other basis protected under applicable law.

Disclaimer:

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.