Employment Coach (IIMN)

Job Title: Employment Coach

Department: Business Career Pathway

Reports To: Business Program Manager

FLSA Status: 1.0 FTE

Salary Range: $51,000-53,000 plus benefits

Estimated start date: January 8, 2023

Organization Description:

The International Institute of Minnesota (IIM) is a fast-paced, innovative organization with talented staff who are mission driven and support one another in their work. Since 1974 IIM has resettled 25,000 refugees in the Twin Cities and remains one of the largest sponsors of refugees statewide. Its immigration and citizenship services helped nearly 15,000 New Americans achieve U.S. citizenship since 2001. From 2012 to 2018, IIM experienced exponential growth, establishing the organization as an expert in education and workforce development for immigrant and refugee communities. With more than 21 million refugees worldwide waiting to begin new lives, and an increasing workforce shortage in Minnesota, IIM’s programs continue to be in demand and important abroad and in Minnesota.

Purpose:

The Business Pathway Program, which includes Professional Leadership training (PLT) and Entrepreneurship, was developed to help newly arrived immigrants and refugees overcome obstacles related to finding long-term employment in the Business through intensive training, ongoing job counseling and case management to improve job skills and increase earning power. The

Employment Navigator will provide teaching, coaching and case management for graduates of the program.

 

Duties and Responsibilities:

Teaching (10% of time)

  • Provide workplace readiness instruction with provided curriculum in a classroom setting for Professional Leadership Training class.
  • Arrange and conduct mock job interviews and informational interviews with colleagues and employer partners for Professional Leadership students.
  • Make program or curriculum update recommendations to Business Pathway team.
  • Hold regular job search-related workshops at IIMN

Employment Casework (75% of time)

  • Work with PLT students and graduates to secure promotions, internships, additional education opportunities in conjunction with PLT instructor.
  • Connect students to employment opportunities with employer partners and make recommendations onbehalf of students to HR
  • Work with Entrepreneur graduates to develop a business plan, identify resources and support them in their stated goals
  • Serve as a professional reference to graduates
  • Hold regular employment appointments with program participants to address student goals, barriers and supports.
  • Review and create cover letters and résumés with program participants.
  • Conduct follow-up calls to students and employers to track job retention, satisfaction, and performance.
  • Provide Job Search help to walk-ins when needed
  • Coordinate with IIMN departments and programs to promote job search services
  • Meet with students to assist in individual job search including; interview prep, resume revision, cover letter writing, career assessment, and goal setting.
  • Refer students to appropriate trainings, programs, and social services as relates to their job search.

Employer and Resources Relations (5%)

  • Develop and maintain positive employer relationships to create job opportunities for program participants under the direction of the manager.
  • Respond to employer inquiries about Business Pathway
  • Update employer database
  • Assist students in advocating for themselves with employers
  • Send targeted employer engagement communication and program updates to employers
  • Organize annual Job Fair for employer partners in coordination with other employment staff.
  • Organize the Entrepreneur Resource Fair

Program support (10%)

  • Recruit students for Business Pathway programs by communicating cross-departmentally as well as assisting with weekly in-take
  • Attend IIM All-staff meetings, Employment staff meeting, Education Professional Development meetings and program weekly staff meetings.
  • Assist in set-up and clean-up of Pathway graduations and celebrations
  • Assist Program Manager with training and overseeing interns and volunteers with job search related work.
  • Enter data and case notes in program database. (CRM, SID and Excel)
  • Other duties as assigned

Requirements:

  • Demonstrated commitment to the International Institute of Minnesota’s mission and vision.
  • Undergraduate degree in related field.
  • Ability to work with students in a group setting and one-on-one
  • Knowledge of the Twin Cities’ job market, hiring trends, and application procedures
  • Ability to speak a second language (Spanish, Somali, French, Arabic, Swahili or Amharic) preferred
  • Experience working with immigrants preferred
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills
  • Highly organized and able to handle multiple projects simultaneously
  • Skilled in problem solving and able to independently address issues as they arise
  • Ability to work some evening hours
  • Driver’s license, adequate insurance preferred
  • Be fully vaccinated from COVID-19

Physical Demands:

  • Use of manual dexterity, tactile, visual, and audio acuity.
  • Use of repetitive motion, prolonged periods of sitting, and sustained visual and mental applications and demands.

EEO Statement:

International Institute of MN is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.

To Apply:

Submit cover letter and resume to Lynn Thompson via email [email protected]. Position opened until filled. No phone calls or walk-ins please.