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 Office. 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:

• Help clients enrolled in both Refugee Support Services (RSS) and Matching Grant (MG) programs of CWS local office; create resumes and complete initial enrollment documentation.
• Updates client’s case notes, case files and other records.
• 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 assigned Employment Specialist.
• Assist the Vocational and ESL Instructor to create online accounts, referrals, keep class attendance and other duties as necessary.
• Works with the assigned Employment Specialist in assisting the clients to remove any barriers to employment with the goal of family self-sufficiency.
• Assists in program tracking and reporting in accordance with 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 and Experience: 

• 2 years minimum of related work experience is required. 
• Associate's degree or equivalent work experience. 
• Previous work experience and interest in refugee resettlement or other direct social services. 
• The ability to provide culturally sensitive assistance is required.

 

Other Skills:

• Fluency in English. 
• Written and verbal communication skills are required.
• The successful candidate must be computer literate, with proficiency in MS Office (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint) and Internet applications.

 

The job will require reference checks, standard criminal background checks, and motor vehicle background checks.  

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