Requisition ID: req57360 Job Title: Economic Empowerment Specialist Sector: Economic Recovery & Livelihood Employment Category: Fixed Term Employment Type: Full-Time Compensation: USD 26.00 - 26.80 Hourly Location: Oakland, CA USA Work Arrangement:Hybrid Job Description This job posting was opened on 2/26/25. Please note that we will be considering applications from internal employees and former IRC Staff exclusively for the first 5 days. After this period, if necessary, we will extend the opportunity to external candidates. Background: The IRC in Northern California was established in 1975 in response to the needs of the growing refugee and immigrant population. Over the past 40 years, the IRC has resettled nearly 60,000 clients in Northern California. Originally focused on reception and placement, the IRC now provides a range of services including economic empowerment, immigration, community gardening, and case management for victims of trafficking. IRC’s Economic Empowerment programming focuses on connecting individuals to employment opportunities in an effort to lead them towards economic self-sufficiency and financial stability. This is accomplished through a combination of employment services, financial education and coaching, and access to public benefits and income supports. IRC Oakland’s Anti-Trafficking department provides comprehensive case management services to survivors of trafficking and other violent crimes. IRC Oakland primarily serves immigrant survivors of trafficking. The Anti-Trafficking program works to find sustainable solutions that are appropriate for the unique situations of each client. Job Summary: The Economic Empowerment Specialist is a full-time position that will support the Economic Empowerment department and the Anti-Trafficking Department in case management, financial counseling, job search and placement assistance, and ensuring that survivors of trafficking are accessing the full range of supportive services available to them through trauma-informed services. This position requires thorough knowledge and understanding of human rights, strengths-based, and trauma-informed approaches to best serve survivors of trafficking. This role employs key social work values, including survivor empowerment, professional boundaries, and requires familiarity with self-care practices and addressing vicarious trauma.This is a limited-term position funded through 09/30/2025 with the possibility of an extension contingent upon funding. The Economic Empowerment Specialist will support survivors of trafficking by conducting initial assessments and developing corresponding service plans to meet their employment, asset-building, and self-sufficiency goals through a trauma-informed service delivery model. The Economic Empowerment Specialist will work in coordination with the wider Anti-Trafficking team to ensure clients are accessing the full scope of IRC’s services, including case management, job readiness training and 1:1 job counselling, and financial education and counseling. Additionally, the Specialist will ensure clients are referred to other departments within the IRC, as well as partner providers, as relevant. The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation. Major Responsibilities: Economic Empowerment Services + Provide intake, assessment, and program orientation to clients interested in employment and asset-building services. + Provide job search and job readiness coaching to clients preparing to enter the US job market. + Provide ongoing case management to enrolled clients, including income supports screening and financial counseling, as well as transportation assistance to employment-related activities as needed. + Assist clients and employers as necessary with post-placement issues and continuing employment and asset-building needs. + Support with developing and maintaining employer partnerships as needed. + Train and supervise program interns/volunteers. Compliance Documentation + Monitor and track client financial health indicators including job wage levels, net worth, family/individual budgets, and credit score. + Ensure timely and accurate compliance to all reporting requirements, including database management, case noting, and file maintenance. Team/Office Participation + Participate in all program meetings, staff development activities, and other duties as assigned. + Work as part of a team to provide comprehensive strength-based services to IRC clients through coordination of cases and effective communication between team members and departments. + Comply with all policies, procedures and protocols of the agency. + Train and provide guidance to volunteers recruited to support IRC’s mission. + Other duties as assigned. Key Working Relationships: Position Reports to: Anti-Trafficking Coordinator Position directly supervises: Program Interns and Volunteers Other Internal and/or external contacts: Internal: Anti-Trafficking Economic Empowerment Specialist will work closely with all members of the Anti-Trafficking department. The Economic Empowerment Specialist will also develop working relationships with direct service providers in the following IRC departments: Economic Empowerment, New Roots, Health and Wellness, Housing, Resettlement, and Immigration. External: Economic Empowerment Specialist will develop working relationships with local legal providers, social services, healthcare providers, educational institutions, employment programs, anti-trafficking task forces, relevant consulates, law enforcement, and other community-based organizations to support achievement of program requirements. . Job Requirements: + Fluency in Spanish required + Undergraduate degree preferred; equivalent work experience may be substituted + 2+ years of related professional experience preferred + Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel) + Minimum of 1 year of experience with direct client services and/or case management preferred + Demonstrated success working and communicating effectively in a multi-cultural environment + Ability to maintain a positive, cooperative, and professional demeanor with clients, partner organizations, and team members + Working knowledge of legal providers, social services, public benefits, community organizations, health care systems, and related human services in the Bay Area strongly preferred + Ability to de-escalate stressful situations in a trauma-informed manner + Excellent oral and written communication skills, and high degree of organization related to the management of multiple clients, priorities, and projects + Strong ability to develop and maintain external partnerships + Promote and actively participate in initiatives and efforts to build team engagement and cohesion in IRC Oakland office + Foster ongoing learning, honest dialogue and reflection to strengthen safeguarding and to promote IRC values and adherence to IRC policies Working Environment:Hybrid work schedule, standard office environment; travel in and around the service delivery area required. Compensation:Posted pay ranges apply to US-based candidates. Ranges are based on various factors including the labor market, job type, internal equity, and budget. Exact offers are calibrated by work location, individual candidate experience and skills relative to the defined job requirements. Equal Opportunity Employer:IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. US Benefits:We offer a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. In the US, these include: 10 sick days, 10 US holidays, 20-25 paid time off days depending on role and tenure, medical insurance starting at $143 per month, dental starting at $6.50 per month, and vision starting at $5 per month, FSA for healthcare and commuter costs, a 403b retirement savings plans with immediately vested matching, disability & life insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support counseling and care in times of crisis and mental health struggles.