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The ONA Professional Pathways Job Coach supports skilled immigrants and refugees in resuming their professional careers in the United States. This role works closely with IIB staff, the NYS ONA network, and Upwardly Global to guide clients through credential evaluation, recertification, and reentry into their previous skilled fields. The Job Coach provides individualized case management, career coaching, and referrals, as well as enrolling clients in individual workshops to prepare them for the U.S. job market. Additional responsibilities include tracking client progress and ensuring compliance with documentation requirements. This position requires the use of a personal vehicle.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Education, Human Resources, Social Work, Business, or a related field.

Experience:     Candidates should have familiarity with refugee and immigrant populations and the ability to work independently with minimal supervision. Strong research and problem-solving skills, along with initiative to address challenges proactively, are essential. Previous experience in employment services, including employer outreach for immigrant and refugee communities, is highly preferred. Candidates must demonstrate a history of positive collaboration with nonprofit organizations and workforce development agencies in the Western New York region, as well as an understanding of local economic trends, the job market, and available community resources. Experience working with low-income immigrant and refugee communities in Western New York is required, and the position serves clients across the five counties of the ONA WNY region: Erie, Niagara, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, and Allegany.

Requirements:                         

• Current valid driver’s license, active auto insurance, and personal vehicle required.
• Excellent communication (oral and written), interpersonal and organizational skills, including time management and good judgement.
• Ability to work cooperatively with a diverse team of colleagues, clients, and external partners.
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural setting and communicate with clients from a variety of ethnic and religious backgrounds and lifestyles.
• Flexible schedule to accommodate the needs of the organization and our clients.
• Ability to meet short timelines and deadlines, coupled with multi-tasking ability.
• Knowledge of computers, e-mail, and Microsoft Office suite of products/software.

• Meet with qualified candidates to assess current qualifications, identify desired career outcomes, and develop a plan to achieve those goals, including determining necessary credentials.
• Manage client expectations by discussing realistic options and opportunities based on education, English proficiency, and prior experience.
• Ensure clients have essential job readiness skills and are connected to appropriate services while pursuing re-credentialing, licensing, or certification (such as preparation for standardized tests, TOEFL placement, and professional language acquisition).
• Research and explain state, federal, and local regulations regarding licensing and certification, and advise clients on how prior experience may apply toward credentialing requirements.
• Assist clients with translation and evaluation of academic and professional credentials (transcripts, licenses, certificates) through appropriate agencies and organizations, informing clients of related fees.
• Support clients in securing available funding to cover costs related to credentialing or certification.
• Maintain accurate case notes, case files, and Career Development Plans for each client.
• Communicate regularly with partners, including educational institutions, credentialing organizations, and the ONA lead agency.
• Develop employment opportunities to meet current and future client placement needs, and assist clients with employment preparation, placement, and retention.
• Conduct outreach to regional chambers of commerce, workforce development boards, local and county governments, educational institutions, and immigrant and refugee organizations and communities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
  

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The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by people assigned to this role. This is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The International Institute of Buffalo reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet business and organizational needs, as necessary.

Office environment requires employees to consistently use manual dexterity in reaching, writing, navigating around the workspace. This position requires fully functional vision and auditory abilities. This position requires standing, sitting, walking, including up and down stairs, lifting and moving items of up to 30-pounds.

Qualified candidates should send a cover letter and resume to careers@iibuff.org to apply. Please include the job title in the subject line. Thank you.