The Career Pathways Employment Counselor will work alongside immigrants and refugees to find meaningful work after completing KOM’s career pathways training programs. This role will support both youth and adult participants in close collaboration with KOM’s Training Coordinator and Financial Coach.
The Employment Counselor will support youth in finding and applying for part-time work, internships, or other work experience opportunities and support adults in navigating high-demand careers in the fields of translation and interpreting, healthcare, manufacturing, warehouse, or the construction trades. They will work alongside participants to develop a job search plan and provide on-going job search support.
Benefits: Health insurance (100% of premium covered for employee), life insurance, short-term disability insurance, approx. 180 hours/year of paid time off, 10 paid holidays, and regular employer-paid training opportunities
Time Commitment: 40 hours/week; Monday-Friday typically 8:30AM-5:00PM; evening hours as needed
Location: Hybrid between office/remote sites in Roseville, MN and virtually from home
Reports to: Lisa Gibson, Program Manager
Responsibilities
Outreach, Recruitment, & Enrollment:
Support the Career Pathways team in developing recruitment strategies and recruiting clients
Coordinate participant enrollment, program activities, and data entry with the Training
Coordinator, Financial Coach, and Data Specialist
Employment Navigation:
In partnership with participants, create individualized employment plans designed to support goals and job placement needs, continually updating the plan to track and celebrate progress
Support participants in finding meaningful employment, which may include but is not limited to sharing relevant job leads, introducing participants to employers, assisting with job applications and resume writing, and helping jobseekers prepare for interviews
Connect participants with appropriate resources to overcome barriers to employment, including issuing client support in the form of gas/bus cards, interview/work clothing, car repairs, etc.
Help participants build soft skills one-on-one and in group settings
Stay up-to-date on local employment trends, employer needs, and job counseling best practices
Maintain accurate and organized client records in compliance with KOM policies and contract guidelines, entering data into multiple systems (Apricot, Salesforce, and Workforce One)
General Support:
Attend regular partner meetings to develop programming, plan activities, and monitor outcomes
Attend weekly KOM staff meetings
Provide walk-in services for refugees to address needs including translation/interpreting, completing paperwork, and contacting other agencies for referrals and follow-up
Other duties as assigned
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
Proven ability to effectively connect to diverse immigrant communities and build strong working relationships with others
Strong written and verbal English skills
Must pass a criminal background check
Valid Minnesota Driver’s License with reliable vehicle, proof of insurance, and good driving record. Must be willing to use personal vehicle to provide transportation for clients with mileage reimbursement provided by KOM at the federal rate.
Preferred Qualifications: (Any applicant demonstrating the skills needed to do the work outlined above will be considered for this position)
Meet any ONE of the following levels of experience or commensurate education level: 2 years of experience in any of the following: employment or workforce development/career pathways work, academic services, social services/case management, community outreach work, or other roles requiring high levels of organization and communication; OR 1 year of experience in any of the above and an associate’s degree; OR A bachelor’s degree
Proficiency in Sgaw Karen, Pwo Karen, Karenni, or Burmese highly desired but not required.
Highly approachable and collaborative work style with the ability to work with partners and colleagues in diverse sectors
Extremely organized with the ability to juggle competing priorities and meet deadlines
Strong computer skills including Microsoft Office, internet searching, and data entry
Individuals from immigrant and refugee communities highly encouraged to apply!
COVID Protocols:
KOM requires employees to be vaccinated as a condition of employment, subject to reasonable accommodation required by law. All vaccination doses must have been received at least fourteen days prior to starting employment. KOM requires and provides masks, social distancing, sanitizes common services regularly and is currently open to in-person services to vaccinated clients. As roles and responsibilities allow, most staff are working a hybrid schedule with some days in the office and some days work from home to allow for appropriate social distancing while working at KOM sites. Hybrid work arrangements is subject to change based on KOM’s protocols, the needs of specific roles, and the needs of those that KOM serves.
Karen Organization of Minnesota
Ste 240
Roseville, Ramsey, MN 55113
US
