International Rescue Committee · 1 week ago
Economic Empowerment Specialist
Oakland, CA
Full-time
Hybrid
Entry, Mid Level
$26/hr - $27/hr
2+ years expThe International Rescue Committee (IRC) is a prominent humanitarian organization dedicated to helping individuals affected by conflict and disaster. The Economic Empowerment Specialist role focuses on supporting Limited-English-Proficient clients in employment services, providing job coaching, and ensuring compliance with program requirements.
CharityCommunitiesHumanitarianNon ProfitSocial
Responsibilities
Conduct Introductory Calls followed by Orientation, Appraisal, and Assessment (Intake) appointments for all referred LEP/VESL/ES clients
Collect and record all required onboarding documents, assessments, and county-specific forms
Determine and enroll clients into the appropriate activity track (VESL, ES, or dual enrollment) based on English proficiency, goals, and county criteria
Maintain timely and accurate case notes in both the IRC database (ETO/Caseload system) and the Alameda County database (CalSAWs or other required platforms)
Conduct monthly follow-ups with all active clients to verify program participation, collect attendance, and address barriers
Communicate regularly with Alameda County Employment Counselors regarding client participation, progress, and any compliance concerns
Ensure monthly attendance reports, CASAS scores, and activity verifications are submitted to the county on time
Provide clients with referrals and resources within IRC (Immigration, Financial Coaching, Health & Wellness, etc.) and to external community-based partner agencies including adult schools, community colleges, workforce programs, and other service providers
Provide one-on-one job coaching, including workplace expectations, resume development, job search skills, mock interviews, and career navigation
Coordinate and lead job readiness workshops aligned with LEP/ES program expectations
Identify appropriate job opportunities and guide clients through the hiring process when they are job-ready
Support retention services by following up with employers and clients to address post-placement issues
Maintain relationships with local employers and community partners to create pathways for training, volunteer work experience, and employment opportunities
Refer clients to VESL programs at adult schools and community colleges based on location, English level, and client preference
Coordinate CASAS testing appointments and ensure scores are properly submitted to IRC and county staff
Follow up on monthly attendance from adult schools/community colleges and ensure compliance with participation requirements
Travel regularly to IRC’s main and satellite offices—Fremont, Hayward, Oakland, Livermore, or others as needed—to conduct client intakes, assessments, and in-person meetings
Conduct occasional home visits or field-based appointments when programmatically required
Ensure accurate and timely completion of all county and IRC reporting requirements
Maintain organized digital and physical files in compliance with IRC and county audit standards
Monitor clients with county-mandated participation requirements and ensure any non-compliance is communicated and documented appropriately
Coordinate closely with IRC’s Economic Empowerment team, VESL referral partners, and community-based social adjustment agencies for clients with additional needs
Participate in staff meetings, trainings, and required county coordination meetings
Assist in onboarding and supervising program interns and volunteers
Support special projects, pilot initiatives, and cross-department collaboration as needed
Qualification
Required
Undergraduate degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience
Fluency in English required
Valid driver's license, reliable insured vehicle, and willingness to travel throughout Alameda County
Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to multitask and manage deadlines
High digital literacy (Outlook, Microsoft Office Suite, Teams, Box/Dropbox, and web-based databases)
Strong communication skills, verbal and written
Preferred
Minimum two years of direct services experience preferred
Experience completing intakes, assessments, or case management in a social service, workforce, or educational setting preferred
Strong understanding of job search processes, workplace norms, and employer expectations; familiarity with the East Bay job market preferred
Experience working with immigrant, refugee, or LEP populations
Bilingual abilities in Dari/Farsi, Pashto, Spanish, Arabic, Tigrinya, Russian, or Ukrainian highly preferred
Benefits
10 sick days
10 US holidays
20-25 paid time off days depending on role and tenure
Medical insurance starting at $163 per month
Dental starting at $6.50 per month
Vision starting at $5 per month
FSA for healthcare and commuter costs
A 403b retirement savings plans with immediately vested matching
Disability & life insurance
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
Company
International Rescue Committee
IRC responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises & helps some of the most vulnerable people from harm to home.
10001+ employees
H1B Sponsorship
International Rescue Committee has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (15)
2024 (13)
2023 (20)
2022 (17)
2021 (13)
2020 (9)
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$1.25MKey Investors
American Student AssistanceThe Pfizer FoundationU.S. Department of Agriculture
2024-03-25Grant· $0.5M
2021-11-30Grant
2021-10-07Grant· $0.75M
Leadership Team
David Miliband
President & CEO
Katherine Crowley
Associate Director, Global Corporate Partnerships
Recent News
2026-01-22
Business Wire
2025-12-09
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