REGIONAL EMPLOYMENT SPECIALIST, International Professionals Program

Terms of Employment

Contract position from July 2025-December 2025, with possibility of extension contingent on funding.

Organization

The Welcoming Center’s (TWC) mission is to promote inclusive economic growth through immigrant integration. We seek to open doors of economic opportunity for immigrants of all education and skill levels and to build immigrants’ individual and collective agency to address barriers to integration and well-being. TWC does this through training programs focused on social, civic, and economic engagement which enhance skills and expand opportunities. TWC believes that immigrants broaden the productivity, profitability, and stability of this region and contribute to both Pennsylvania’s and the nation’s economic growth. Primary program areas include Work Readiness, Entrepreneurship, Community Leadership, and ESOL & Digital Skills Training, all designed to help immigrants overcome integration barriers. TWC is based in Philadelphia, PA. For more information, visit www.welcomingcenter.org.

Position Summary

The Regional Employment Specialist (ES) is a full-time position on the Work Readiness team and plays an integral role in relationship management with program staff, participants, and external employer stakeholders. In collaboration with the program manager, staff, and volunteers, the Employment Specialist is responsible for supporting International Professionals Program (IPP) participants in their job search and career development process. The ES will work closely with participants to assess their skills, develop individualized employment plans, and connect them with suitable job opportunities and career development resources. The role involves both direct service and partnership building with local employers. The Regional ES will be responsible for supporting IPP’s expansion into Chester and Montgomery Counties, working with participants from those regions. Services will be primarily offered in Philadelphia and virtually, but occasional travel will be required.

Essential Functions

• In all duties, demonstrate a commitment to organizational core values which uplift the skills, experience, and aspirations of program participants and recognize their role as agents of the change they seek.
• Under the supervision of the IPP Program Manager, facilitates workforce programming and assists in the development and maintenance of coaching standards based on best practices for English Language Learners (ELLs).
• Conduct intake assessments to identify program participants' skills and career goals and work with them on a plan for how to achieve those goals.
• Work closely with the Employer Partnership Coordinator and other Employment Specialists to identify and share resources and job opportunities concerning our job seekers. Using best practices for individual coaching the ES will provide one-on-one coaching to participants on resources for job search or accredited job training programs and future professional success. Maintains familiarity with the resources to assist participants with their job searches in a variety of professional and non-professional fields.
• Support participants in identifying transferable skills from one profession to another unrelated profession, as well as providing job readiness training. This includes tackling large issues such as career exploration and decision-making, as well as tactical skills such as resume and cover letter writing, interviewing, networking, and application preparation.
• As a part of outreach, intake and program administration, collect various forms of data from participants, volunteers, and employers with high attention to detail, privacy and data integrity.
• Keep current records in Salesforce and other platforms for all participants and programming details. Provide data internally as requested.
• In coordination with the rest of the team, organize networking events and attend job fairs to connect employers with potential candidates.
• Assist in alumni community building efforts through outreach, communication, planning activities, and long-term support, collaborating with all programming within the organization.

Compentencies

• Understanding of career coaching/counseling practices, techniques, and theories. Attend related continued education opportunities for professional development such as associations, meetings, and conferences. Ability to share knowledge, expertise, and learnings with colleagues and participants.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and demonstrated experience working with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.
• Experience working with ELLs is desirable.
• Demonstrated initiative and creativity in program planning and implementation, especially regarding participant outreach and job search.
• Strong commitment to the core values of community, collaboration, imaginative thinking, and taking an asset-based, participant-centered approach.
• Ability to externally share information and promote the program in outreach efforts to local institutions, organizations, community groups, and potential employer partners.
• Availability to share evening and weekend hours with fellow teammates (evening hours until 7:30 up to two times per week) for programming.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented with an ability to see projects through to completion and effectively communicate updates to supervisors, colleagues, and staff across programs. Ability to manage files and data in consistent ways so that file-sharing is efficient.
• Strong computer skills, including an understanding of cloud-based computer platforms. Familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite and SharePoint, Salesforce, LinkedIn, and other job-seeking online tools, and remote learning tools.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• None

Work Environment

• Operates in a professional office environment or remotely. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and filing cabinets.
• Occasional travel is possible when attending conferences and representing the organization at various events.

Physical Demands

• Prolonged periods ofsitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Prolonged periods ofstanding and facilitation in a classroom setting.
• Must be able to lift 5-10 pounds at times.

Preferred Education and Experience

• Lived experience from immigrant and refugee communities and/or communities of color.
• Bachelor’s degree required in human resources, business, intercultural communication, education, or another relevant field.
• Demonstrated experience or equivalent classroom training in career pathway development, one-on-one coaching, and tutoring.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively facilitate or give presentations.
• Experience working with English Language Learners desirable.
• Bilingual in Arabic, Spanish, French, or Russian desirable but not required.

Affirmative Action/EEO Statement

• The Welcoming Center does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.
• The Welcoming Center will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities unless doing so would result in an undue hardship. This policy governs all aspects of employment, including selection, job assignment, compensation, discipline, termination, and access to benefits and training.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Compensation and Benefits

This is a full-time / 40 hours per week position that will require schedule flexibility to accommodate for some evening hours. We offer a competitive benefits package, including vacation, health care (medical, dental, vision), sick leave, and access to a 401(k) plan.

Salary: $48,000-$54,000 annually

Application Submission

To apply, please send your resume and a cover letter to jobs@welcomingcenter.org with the subject “Regional Employment Specialist.” We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and identities, including those of any age, race, religion, gender, ability, or sexual orientation.