Career Development Specialist

Job Overview/Summary:

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) in San Diego's Connect2Work Program empowers opportunity youth ages 16–24 to achieve economic mobility through education, career exploration, work-based learning, occupational skills training, and employment services. The program utilizes a trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and strengths-based approach that integrates all 14 WIOA Youth Program Elements into individualized career pathways designed to support long-term success.

The Career Development Specialist provides comprehensive case management, career coaching, and workforce navigation services to youth facing barriers to education and employment, including refugees, immigrants, English learners, justice-involved youth, youth experiencing homelessness, foster youth, parenting youth, and other opportunity youth.

Working closely with employers, educational institutions, community partners, and IRC staff, the Career Development Specialist supports participants in developing Individual Service Strategies (ISS), enrolling in education and training opportunities, participating in paid work experiences, obtaining industry-recognized credentials, and securing meaningful employment aligned with their long-term career goals.

This position requires creativity, flexibility, excellent relationship-building skills, and a commitment to empowering young adults through participant-centered service delivery.

Major Responsibilities:

The Career Development Specialist is responsible for delivering comprehensive workforce development and case management services to opportunity youth through a trauma-informed, participant-centered approach. Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Career Coaching & Case Management

• Conduct outreach, eligibility screening, intake, and enrollment.
• Complete assessments and develop Individual Service Strategies (ISS).
• Provide ongoing career coaching, case management, and goal monitoring.
• Coordinate referrals and supportive services to address barriers to participation.
• Maintain regular contact with participants to promote engagement and successful outcomes.

Employment & Career Development

• Deliver one-on-one and group instruction in work readiness, career exploration, job search, resume development, interviewing, and professional skills.
• Assist participants in identifying and securing employment, internships, apprenticeships, and other work-based learning opportunities.
• Provide post-placement coaching to support job retention and career advancement.

Education & Training Navigation

• Support enrollment and persistence in secondary school completion, postsecondary education, occupational training, and credential programs.
• Monitor participant progress and coordinate resources that promote educational success.

Employer & Community Engagement

• Build partnerships with employers, training providers, schools, and community organizations to expand career opportunities for youth.
• Coordinate work-based learning experiences, hiring events, and employer engagement activities.

Program Administration & Compliance

• Maintain accurate case files and document participant services, outcomes, and activities in required databases.
• Track performance metrics and ensure compliance with WIOA, funder, and IRC requirements.
• Participate in program planning, outreach, continuous quality improvement, and other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in social work or related field of study preferred.

Work Experience:

• Relevant professional experience in the field of human services required; minimum of 3 years’ experience strongly preferred.
• Experience working with refugee and/or immigrant populations required.

Demonstrated Skills & Competencies:

• Strong relationship building, diplomacy, and networking skills; ability to effectively build internal and external relationships.
• Demonstrated success working and communicating effectively in a multi-cultural environment.
• Self-starter with excellent problem-solving skills combined with the proven ability to multi-task, prioritize duties, and manage time effectively.
• Attention to detail and accuracy in work product.
• Fluent in English, both spoken and written; proficiency in language(s) spoken by local refugee and immigrant populations is strongly preferred;
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook); ability to use the internet and other digital tools for data entry, research and problem-solving purposes.
• Valid driver’s license and access to a personal, insured vehicle; ability to drive an IRC passenger van.

Working Environment***:***

• Standard, professional office environment, including the current hybrid mode of remote work within San Diego County and required in-office days and some 'field' time within the service delivery area to perform the above-outlined responsibilities. Office working environment is subject to change based on organization/business needs.
• Requires regular work from IRC's El Cajon and City Heights offices, with occasional travel throughout San Diego County to support program activities and community partnerships.
• San Diego office hours are scheduled Monday-Friday, 8:30 am-4:30 pm, but will require occasional work during evenings and weekends.

This position is expected to end on July 6, 2027.

Compensation: (Pay Range: $23.00-26.80/hr) 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.

Professional Standards: All International Rescue Committee workers must adhere to the core values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. Our Standards are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Safeguarding, Conflicts of Interest, Fiscal Integrity, and Reporting Wrongdoing and Protection from Retaliation. IRC is committed to take all necessary preventive measures and create an environment where people feel safe, and to take all necessary actions and corrective measures when harm occurs. IRC builds teams of professionals who promote critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity to deliver the best possible services to our clients.

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 $163 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.