Join Our Team

Summary/Objective

The Employment Specialist is a full-time position on the Workforce Development team and plays an integral role in relationship management with program staff, participants, and external employer stakeholders. In collaboration with program manager/staff/volunteers, the Employment Specialist facilitates group training sessions and guides individual participants in planning for short- and long-term career goals.  The Employment Specialist also supports cross-programmatic coaching efforts, including, but not limited to, the International Professionals Program, ESOL for Job Search, and individual participant coaching support.  The Employment Specialist coordinates with the Program Manager, IPP to contribute to the development and maintenance of coaching standards as a part of overall workforce strategy and program design.

Reporting to the Program Manager, International Professionals Program the Employment Specialist guides participants in navigating professional work opportunities and workplace environments by facilitating the program curriculum and serving as an individual career coach.  The IPP Employment Specialist reviews participants’ education level, work history, interests and goals and suggest potential career paths and job opportunities. Identifying career goals for our program participants and guiding them on how to achieve those goals is essential to this position.

Essential Functions

• In all duties, demonstrate a commitment to organizational core values which uplift the skills, experience, and aspirations of program participants and recognize their role as agents of the change they seek.
• Maintains familiarity with the resources to assist participants with their job searches in a variety of professional and non-professional fields.
• Provide coaching to participants on resources for job search or accredited job training programs and future professional success using best practices for individual coaching. Recognize transferable skills from one profession to another unrelated profession. This includes tackling large issues such as career exploration and decision making as well as tactical skills such as resume and cover letter writing, interviewing, networking, and application preparation. Deliver constructive critiques and guidance to strengthen various aspects of participants’ job search.
• Support cross-programmatic coaching efforts, including, but not limited to, the International Professionals Program, ESOL for Job Search, and individual participant coaching support.
• Under the supervision of the Program Manager, IPP, assist in the development and maintenance of coaching standards based in best practices for ELLs. Provide support and guidance to program staff in the implementation of these standards.
• As a part of outreach, intake and program administration, collect various forms of data from participants, volunteers, and employers with high attention to detail, privacy and data integrity. Keep current records in Salesforce and other platforms for all participants and programming details. Provide data internally as requested.
• Facilitate workforce programming that is consistent with the goals of the curriculum and responsive to the needs of English Language Learners (ELLs).
• Learn participant’s education level, work history, interests and goals and suggest potential career paths, networking, volunteer and other opportunities. Identify career goals with our program participants and work with them on a plan for how to achieve those goals.
• Coach participants through available experiential learning opportunities (when appropriate) and resources, such as volunteer work and internships/fellowships. This includes administration of the Immigrant Fellowship Program, a collaboration with the City of Philadelphia and private industry to provide meaningful, paid work experience to current IPP participants.
• Practice excellent communication and time management skills that can serve as a model to program participants. Manage communication with individual participants, cohort groups, and team members as a part of program delivery. Guide participants through communication challenges with great sensitivity as they adapt to US workforce culture.
• Assist in alumni community building efforts through outreach, communication, planning activities, and long-term support, collaborating with all programming within the organization.
• In coordination with the workforce development team, maintain records and relationships with various employers as hiring partners, volunteers, content experts, internship and fellowship resources and other roles which uphold the value of immigrants in the workforce.

Competencies

• Thorough understanding of career coaching/counseling practices, techniques, and theories. Attend related continued education opportunities for professional development such as associations, meetings, conferences. Ability to share knowledge, expertise, and learnings with colleagues and participants.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and demonstrated experience working with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.
• Strong intuition and an ability to adapt to intercultural communication, presenting both a professional and approachable demeanor. Excellent listening skills, allowing for language and culture differences in communication. Ability to empathize.
• Demonstrate a holistic approach to coaching and rapport-building; be able to have discussions with participants about a full range of interests and needs and refer participants to appropriate resources as necessary.
• Excellent verbal, written, and telephone communication skills. Comfortable adapting communication style to a diverse range of participants. Demonstrated evidence of ability to navigate conversations which may be difficult due to language, culture, and other circumstances which may lead to misunderstanding. Experience working with ELLs desirable.
• Demonstrated initiative and creativity in program planning and implementation, especially with regard to participant outreach and job search.
• Strong commitment to the core values of community, collaboration, imaginative thinking and taking an asset-based, participant-centered approach.
• Commitment to inter-team communication and cohesiveness and sustaining a supportive and collegial culture during programmatic changes and growth. Willingness to be a part of a team where everyone’s highest and best work is a goal.
• Ability to externally share information and promote the program in outreach efforts to local institutions, organizations, community groups and potential employer partners.
• Availability to share evening and weekend hours with fellow teammates (evening hours until 7:30 up to two times per week) for programming.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented with an ability to see projects through to completion and effectively communicate updates to supervisor, colleagues and staff across programs. Ability to manage files and data in consistent ways so that file-sharing is efficient.
• Strong computer skills, including an understanding of cloud-based computer platforms. Familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite and SharePoint, Salesforce, LinkedIn and other job- seeking online tools, and remote learning tools.

Supervisory responsibilities

• None

Work environment

• Operates in a professional office environment or remotely. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and filing cabinets.
• Occasional travel is possible when attending conferences and representing the organization at various events.

Physical demands

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Prolonged periods of standing and facilitation in a classroom setting.
• Must be able to lift 5-10 pounds at times.

Preferred education and experience

• Lived experience from immigrant and refugee communities and/or communities of color.
• Bachelor’s degree required in human resources, business, intercultural communication, education, or other relevant field.
• Demonstrated experience or equivalent classroom training in career pathway development, one-on-one coaching, tutoring.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively facilitate or give presentations.
• Experience working with English Language Learners desirable.
• Bilingual in Arabic, Spanish, French, Russian or Chinese, desirable but not required.

Affirmative Action/EEO statement

• The Welcoming Center does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.

• The Welcoming Center will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities unless doing so would result in an undue hardship.  This policy governs all aspects of employment, including selection, job assignment, compensation, discipline, termination, and access to benefits and training.

Other duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Compensation and Benefits

This is a full time / 40 hours per week position that will require schedule flexibility to accommodate for some evening hours. We offer a competitive benefits package, including vacation, health care (medical, dental, vision), sick leave and access to a 403(B) plan.

Salary:  $48,000 annually

Application Submission

To apply, please send your resume and a cover letter to jobs@welcomingcenter.org with the subject “Employment Specialist.”

We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and identities, including those of any age, race, religion, gender, ability, or sexual orientation.

FLSA Classification

Exempt

Salary Grade/Level/Family/Range

Development & Communications

 Reports to

Director of Development

Effective Date

September 26, 2022

Organization

The Welcoming Center (TWC) mission is to promote inclusive economic growth through immigrant integration. We seek to open doors of economic opportunity for immigrants of all education and skill levels and to build immigrants’ individual and collective agency to address barriers to integration and well-being. TWC does this through training programs focused on social, civic, and economic engagement which enhance skills and expand opportunities. TWC believes that immigrants broaden the productivity, profitability, and stability of this region and contribute to both Pennsylvania’s and the nation’s economic growth. Primary programs and initiatives include Workforce Development, Entrepreneurship, and Community Engagement. TWC is based in Philadelphia, PA.

Summary/objective

The Welcoming Center (TWC) is looking for a self-directed, highly motivated, and reliable individual for the position of Communications Manager. Reporting to the Director of Development, the Communications Manager implements communications strategy for TWC and is responsible for content creation, ethical storytelling, social media, marketing, and media relations.

The successful candidate is an experienced communicator and effective storyteller. The successful candidate will use these skills, plus project management skills and digital savvy, to amplify TWC’s initiatives, vision, and mission to our three key audiences:  participants, donors, and employers.

The candidate will work closely with the Director of Development to implement communications for fund development and donor stewardship purposes; and will work closely with the Chief Operating Office and Program Directors to develop and implement an outreach and communications plan to increase TWC’s visibility in immigrant communities and online.

Essential functions

• Content creation and ethical storytelling
  • Meet with teams to learn about each program and their participants, alumni, volunteers and building TWC’s multimedia story repository
• Development Communications
  • Work with the development team to create marketing for fundraising appeals and events
  • Work with the development team to create TWC Annual Report (print & digital)
  • Work with the development team to create a quarterly e-newsletter
  • Work with the development team and event planners to promote TWC’s annual fundraising gala the Solas Awards
• Digital communications
  • Develop and manage social media strategy and content calendar
  • Daily monitoring and posting on all social media accounts
  • Promote accomplishments, showcase participant stories, and highlight events on social media
  • Develop and manage email content calendar
  • Update content on website and track relevant metrics
  • Conduct SEO and other relevant website optimization as needed.
• Design
  • Create print and digital collateral (program flyers, social media graphics
• Media
  • Contact point for all media inquiries and subsequent coordination
  • Maintain up to date media list
  • Draft press releases, pitch stories, and work with Communications and Marketing Committee to develop and implement media campaigns
• Thought partner on other external public communications as necessary

Competencies

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong storytelling and writing skills.
• Highly collaborative relationship-building/connecting skills.
• Strong interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to work comfortably and create comfort cross- culturally.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent project management skills.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.
• Adobe Photoshop and HTML skills are preferred but not required.
• Experience with marketing automation; Marketo experience a plus.

Supervisory responsibilities

• Hires, trains, and supervises all communications interns, volunteers, and consultants.

Work environment

• Operates in a professional office environment or remotely. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and filing cabinets.
• Dynamic, fast-paced, and sometimes ambiguous environment.

Physical demands

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift 5-10 pounds at times.

Preferred education and experience

• Lived experience from immigrant and refugee communities and/or communities of color, highly desireable.
• We are looking for people who are passionate about TWC’s mission and who are excited to bring their unique set of skills and experience to the table.
• Background in marketing and communications.
• Demonstrated experience with all types of social media (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.).
• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, strategic communications, or equivalent preferred.
• Minimum three years of communications experience in a non-profit setting preferred.

Affirmative Action/EEO statement

• The Welcoming Center does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.

• The Welcoming Center will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities unless doing so would result in undue hardship.  This policy governs all aspects of employment, including selection, job assignment, compensation, discipline, termination, and access to benefits and training.

Other duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Salary range

Starting salary ranges between $50,000 and $55,000; based on skills and qualifications

To Apply

Please send your resume and cover letter to: jobs@welcomingcenter.org with the subject line Communications Manager. No calls please.

FLSA Classification

Non-Exempt

Salary Grade/Level/Family/Range

ESOL

Reports to

Director of ESOL

Effective Date

October 17, 2022

Organization

The Welcoming Center’s mission is to promote inclusive economic growth through immigrant integration. We seek to open doors of economic opportunity for immigrants of all education and skill levels and to build immigrants’ individual and collective agency to address barriers to integration and well-being. The Welcoming Center (TWC) does this through training programs focused on social, civic, and economic engagement which enhance skills and expand opportunities. TWC believes that immigrants broaden the productivity, profitability, and stability of this region and contribute to both Pennsylvania’s and the nation’s economic growth. Primary programs and initiatives include: Workforce Development, Entrepreneurship, and Community Engagement. TWC is based in Philadelphia, PA. Check out our website: www.welcomingcenter.org.

Position Summary

The Coordinator will provide English instruction integrated with digital literacy and other critical workforce and life skills to adult learners in the Philadelphia area. As part of this role, they will coordinate and serve as the lead facilitator of The Welcoming Center’s ESOL for Job Search course as well as related workshops in connection with The Welcoming Center’s Workforce Development team. In conjunction with the Director of ESOL, the Coordinator will also play a significant role in developing and supporting digital literacy activities for English Language Learners across the organization. They will help to develop and refine existing curriculum and will contribute to building innovative approaches to working with immigrants and English learners that enhance and accelerate language proficiency, job attainment, and social and economic integration.

Responsibilities

• Provide English and digital skills instruction using strategies that are effective with participants of various linguistic, educational, cultural competence, and ability levels.
  • Teach in-person and/or online lessons using existing curriculum with adaptations as needed.
  • Use both standardized and authentic assessment methods to measure student progress.
  • Develop warm, welcoming relationships with participants and provide regular feedback.
• In collaboration with the Director of ESOL, develop and implement digital literacy and ESOL opportunities that are integrated with other TWC program areas and goals.
• Coordinate volunteers to support ESOL and/or digital skills classes and workshops, and work collaboratively with volunteers who provide classroom and individual assistance to participants.
• Collaborate with other Welcoming Center staff regarding participant goals, progress, and employment opportunities/career pathways. Establish and maintain connections with other TWC programs and staff that strengthen ESOL support organization-wide.
• Refer participants as necessary to TWC student support resources and/or other organizations.
• Conduct recruitment, outreach, intake, and program administration activities for classes and workshops, including the collection of various forms of data from participants, volunteers, and employers. Maintain high attention to detail, privacy, and data integrity. Keep current records in Salesforce and other platforms, for all participants and programming details. Provide data to external funders and TWC Directors as requested.
• Work with the Director of ESOL, the Director of Strategy and Impact, and relevant program staff to develop and conduct assessments and evaluations for ESOL and digital literacy activities, and report results.
• Share information and promote the program in outreach efforts to local institutions, organizations, community groups and potential employer partners.
• In collaboration with the Director of ESOL, cultivate partnership opportunities that strengthen The Welcoming Center’s ESOL and digital skills training work – including presenting at conferences, attending networking events, and developing connections with area adult education providers, immigrant community organizations, and advocacy groups.
• Stay informed of developments in the areas of adult ESOL, digital literacy and digital equity, integrated education and training (IET), contextualized ESOL, language access, and immigrant integration.
• Identify opportunities for institutional partnership or collaboration; philanthropic and governmental support; and policy advocacy; and pursue such opportunities upon consultation with leadership.
• Ensure ongoing programmatic excellence. This includes overseeing implementation of programs, including managing timelines and resources needed to achieve program and organizational goals.
• In all duties, demonstrates a commitment to organizational core values which uplift the skills, experiences, and aspirations of program participants and recognize their role as agents of the change they seek.

Required Education & Experience

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree and certification in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). A combination of education and experience will also be considered.
• 2-3 years experience teaching adults in a community-based setting. Familiarity and experience with a range of adult education pedagogical approaches.
• 2-3 years experience teaching digital literacy, including using internet, email, word processing, and online job searching.
• 2-3 years of program coordination, especially in an education and training setting.
• Strong commitment to and demonstrated experience with participant-centered, asset-based, relational approaches to education and community-building.
• Excellent verbal, written, and telephone communication skills. Comfortable adapting communication style to a diverse range of participants. Demonstrated evidence of ability to navigate conversations which may be difficult due to language, culture, and other circumstances which may lead to misunderstanding.
• Strong computer skills, including an understanding of cloud-based computer platforms. Familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite, SharePoint, Salesforce, LinkedIn, and other online job search and remote learning tools.
• Detail-oriented, creative thinker with strong sense of initiative and commitment to equity.

Preferred Education & Experience

• Lived experience from immigrant and refugee communities and/or communities of color.
• Master’s degree preferred – or five years of progressive experience in ESOL instruction, adult education, training, facilitation, or workforce development fields.
• Experience in workforce development, such as teaching job search skills like job interviews, resume, and cover letter development, a plus.
• Bilingual ability is a plus, though not required.
• Curriculum design experience a plus.

Work environment

• Operates in a professional office environment or remotely. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and filing cabinets.
• Dynamic, fast-paced, and sometimes ambiguous environment.

Physical demands

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift 5-10 pounds at times.

Affirmative Action/EEO statement

The Welcoming Center does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.

The Welcoming Center will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities unless doing so would result in undue hardship. This policy governs all aspects of employment, including selection, job assignment, compensation, discipline, termination, and access to benefits and training.

Other duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Application Process

This is a full-time / 40 hours per week position that may require occasional evening or weekend hours. We offer a competitive benefits package, including vacation, health care (medical, dental, vision), sick leave and access to a 403(B) plan. Starting salary range for this position is $48,000 – $53,000 a year based on skills and qualifications.

To apply, please send your resume and a cover letter to jobs@welcomingcenter.org with the subject “Coordinator, ESOL and Digital Skills Training.” Applications due by Friday, Sep. 30.

We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and identities, including those of any age, race, religion, gender, ability, or sexual orientation.