Location and Job Title:

Refugee & Newcomer Employment Specialist
Jewish Community Alliance of Southern Maine
1342 Congress St
Portland, ME 04102

Principal Responsibilities:

The JCA's HIAS Refugee Resettlement Program seeks an energetic, compassionate, and detail-oriented Refugee & Newcomer Employment Specialist to support newly arriving refugees seeking employment services or furthering their education. This program works with newly arrived refugees, Special Immigrant Visa holders, Afghan and Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolees, to coordinate timely employment screening and services for each HIAS client.

The Refugee & Newcomer Employment Specialist is currently a full-time, 1-year grant-funded position.

Responsibilities include:

• Keeping thorough and accurate documentation of services provided in compliance with contractual requirements
• Supporting the Employment Specialist, this will include:
  • Drafting and editing resumes, applications, and cover letters
  • Meeting with clients to prepare them for job interviews
  • Providing transportation to career fairs, networking events, or interviews when necessary
• Advocating for equitable workplace environments and teaching clients their employee rights
• Cultivating relationships with employers and engaging in outreach to raise community awareness of refugee workers.
• Other duties as assigned by the HIAS Resettlement Director

Hours & Location: This is a full-time (40 hours per week), non-exempt grant funded position reporting to the HIAS Refugee Director. The office will be based in Augusta, with travel to several sites in Southern Maine required. Occasional evening and weekend work required. While renewal is possible, the current grant runs from 10/01/2023 to 09/30/2024.

Preferred Start Date: October 30, 2023

Salary: $25.00 per hour The JCA offers a competitive benefits package that includes generous programmatic discounts, 11 Federal Holidays and up to 10 Jewish holidays off each year, employer-provided Dental Insurance and Long-and Short-term disability coverage, as well as 90% of individual health insurance, and a 401(k) retirement plan with employer contribution after 6 months of work.

To Apply: Email cover letter and r?sum?, as a PDF or Word document only, to jca@mainejewish.org Please indicate "Refugee & Newcomer Employment Specialist" in subject line of email.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree required. Degree in social work, human services, sociology, career development, government, international relations, or other related field, or equivalent professional experience preferred.
• Experience in direct services with refugee, immigrant, or other multi-cultural populations strongly preferred
• Experience providing employment-related screening or services preferred
• A strong understanding of the KJFS tradition "welcoming the stranger", this includes someone who is enthusiastic, persistent, compassionate, patient, and comfortable working in a diverse group setting
• A Valid driver's license is required
• Outstanding attention to detail and scheduling/time management skills
• Excellent editing, proof reading, group facilitation and motivational interviewing skills
• Language skills beyond English preferred
• Strong Microsoft Word skills, strong Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint skills preferred

Salary:

$45,000 - $55,000

Agency Information:

Based on the tradition of "welcoming the stranger," Michael Klahr Jewish Family Services (KJFS) provides supportive services to refugees from all backgrounds to assure their full integration into American society. Refugee resettlement is a humanitarian program designed to assist those who have been persecuted due to their race, religion, nationality, membership in a social group or political opinion. Refugees are people who have been displaced from their home countries and are selected to come to the US through our federal Resettlement Program. Our program works with partners across the community to ensure families have what they need not just to survive but thrive.