Imagine waking up every morning with the chance to change someone's life. Imagine knowing your efforts will benefit both your career and our neighbors around the world. At CWS, our team knows they are making a difference every day. Whether you're in our U.S.-based offices supporting refugees, asylees or unaccompanied children ... implementing hygiene initiatives in Cambodia or rebuilding projects in Central America ... or even connecting remotely from your home on fundraising campaigns, grant reports, or critical communications - you have the opportunity to work towards a world where everyone has food, a voice and a safe place to call home.

The Employment Aide is responsible for providing employment readiness sessions and overall assistance to eligible clients in the Employment Program of CWS-Harrisonburg. The goal of the position is to prepare every employable client for the workplace and help them successfully complete the employment readiness classes to then begin job searching alongside the assigned employment specialist. This staff will assist the employment specialist with interpretation during the job search, job placement, job orientation and follow up calls to clients after a job has been secured.

Essential Duties:

• Conducts employment readiness classes for clients enrolled in both Refugee Social Service (RSS) and Matching Grant (MG) programs of CWS-Harrisonburg.
• Maintains client attendance at classes and provide a certificate of attendance.
• Updates client’s case notes based on class attendance and client learning objectives.
• Communicates updates to the assigned employment specialist as clients complete the class and are ready to begin the job search.
• Identifies specific needs and qualifications, including English language ability, transferable job skills, personal objectives, and barriers to employment, documents these in the case notes and verbally communicates them to the employment specialist.
• Provides employment-related translation and interpretation for clients with limited English proficiency during the job search, employment placement and retention checks with the clients.
• Works with employment specialist in assisting the clients to remove any barriers to employment with the goal of family self-sufficiency.
• Assists employment specialist with other support services that may support clients in becoming self-sufficient, such as classes for English as a Second Language, and others as assigned.
• Assists in community outreach 
• Assists in program tracking and reporting in accordance to requirements of program funders.
• Assists the Employment Supervisor in any duties he/she deems necessary.

Common Duties:

 

• Advocates on behalf of refugees, and refugee-serving voluntary agencies
• Keep informed about refugee and immigrant issues, and available services to clients, using current information to better identify and serve refugee clients.
• Represent the program at meetings and speaking engagements relevant to the responsibilities of the position.
• Performs all duties in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner.
• Undertakes other duties as assigned.
• Works varied hours.

Education: Bachelor’s degree or 2 years’ experience in refugee resettlement or related field.

 

Experience: Previous work experience and interest in refugee resettlement or other direct social services.  Ability to provide culturally sensitive assistance is required.

 

Other Skills:

 

Fluency in English and a primary refugee language is preferred. The successful candidate must be computer literate, with proficiency in MS Office (Excel, Word and Access) and Internet applications.

 

Competencies:

Communications: Able to communicate thoroughly and with self-confidence a broad range of information relating to program or department. Communicate detailed and/or technical information clearly, in writing and orally. Speak publicly with defined constituencies regarding specific assigned topics. Anticipate constituent needs and interests and take proactive steps to respond to them. Promote “transparency of information” by sharing relevant information with staff and other stakeholders.

 

 

Job Knowledge: Know the history of CWS and its place among non-governmental organizations (faith-based, ecumenical, secular, relief and development).  Knows a broad range of information regarding specific program or department and use that knowledge to perform effectively and independently.  Apply a depth of knowledge within area of responsibility to implement assigned activities.  Use technology in varied, creative ways to support individual and program performance.  Identify learning opportunities for self and others and take/ recommend action.  Interpret CWS’s policies and procedures for staff and stakeholders, keeping the “human” side in sight. Understand general business practices that support individual and program performance.

 

 

• The successful candidate must have a car, a valid driver’s license and insurable driving record.
• This is an in-person position

CWS offers a competitive benefits package that includes:    
- 403 (b) Retirement Plan                                               
- Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance                                                  
- Generous Paid Time Off (18 Paid Days Off; 24 Days after 2 Years)  
- 14 Official Holidays  
- 12 Sick Days Off (Accrued monthly)                                      
- Life Insurance and AD&D                                             
- Long Term and Short-Term Disability                                                  
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)                                                 
- Health Savings Account                                               
- Flexible Spending Accounts      
- Commuter Benefits