Career Development Specialist, NVPPA

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

This position is open to candidates with existing work authorization in the location where the position is advertised.

Program Background:

The National Virtual Program for Professional Advancement (NVPPA) is a nationwide, fully virtual program through which the International Rescue Committee (IRC) serves newly arrived refugees under a cooperative agreement with the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR). Participants receive career navigation, training, job placement support, and direct financial assistance to advance an individualized career goal. NVPPA operates alongside other federally funded programs, such as initial resettlement services and Matching Grant, and is designed to complement rather than replace or duplicate these programs.

Job Overview 

The Career Development Specialist is the participant's primary point of contact in the program, working remotely with refugees across the country by phone, video, and online tools. From intake and eligibility verification through an approved Professional Advancement Plan (PAP), this position guides each participant toward their career goal, whether that means finding a training partner, completing credential evaluation and recertification, or moving forward with an approved vehicle purchase. The role coordinates closely with the Economic Empowerment Technical Unit, administrative and job development staff, and external resettlement partners to ensure participants move smoothly between services, while maintaining accurate case records and documentation in Efforts to Outcomes (ETO) in line with ORR reporting requirements and IRC financial controls.

Major responsibilities:  

Outreach and Intake

• Conduct virtual outreach, intake, and enrollment for eligible participants, including verifying eligibility documentation.
• Coordinate with IRC offices, resettlement agencies, and local partners to identify and connect with eligible participants.

Career Navigation

• Complete a skills assessment with each participant and develop an individualized Professional Advancement Plan (PAP) that defines their career goal, pathway, and planned use of direct financial assistance.
• Review the PAP with each participant, provide feedback on the career goal, and confirm that proposed use of funds meets ORR eligible-use requirements.
• Provide ongoing navigation by phone and video to help participants access training, credential evaluation and recertification, and other approved supports.
• Research career advancement, certification, and vocational education opportunities across state and local labor markets.
• Connect participants to resources and services within IRC and in their local communities.
• Maintain working knowledge of credential evaluation services and state licensing requirements in high-demand fields, and carry a caseload of participants pursuing those pathways.

Coordination

• Work with the Economic Empowerment Technical Unit, Administrative Staff, and Job Development staff so participants move smoothly between navigation, training, and placement services, and to ensure financial assistance requests align with approved PAPs.
• Coordinate with other service providers, including PIR providers and Matching Grant employment specialists, to support co-enrollment and avoid duplication of services.

Compliance

• Maintain accurate, timely case files in Efforts to Outcomes (ETO), including documentation and the service and outcome data required for ORR reporting.
• Ensure documentation for each financial assistance request is complete before submission, consistent with IRC financial controls.

Job Requirements (Simplified)

• 1-2 years of demonstrated experience in a human services field, preferably in a nonprofit or social services setting.
• Strong written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to build rapport with clients by phone and video.
• Ability to deliver services remotely to clients across states and time zones, protect client confidentiality and sensitive documents, and work independently as part of a fully virtual team.
• Experience managing a high-volume caseload, with strong organization, prioritization, time management, and follow-through.
• Ability to build and maintain productive internal and external relationships.
• Ability to research and navigate workforce, education, and social service systems in unfamiliar local markets.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, video conferencing, and remote collaboration tools, and with tracking and reporting information in a database.
• Commitment to anti-racism, ongoing learning, and equitable service to all eligible clients.
• Fluency in spoken and written English.

Preferred

• Undergraduate degree in Social Work or a related field
• Experience in workforce development, career coaching, or case management.
• Lived experience as a refugee or immigrant.
• Experience with Efforts to Outcomes (ETO).
• Familiarity with credential evaluation, professional licensing, or recertification pathways.
• Fluency in an additional language relevant to current refugee populations.

Compensation: (Pay Rate: $19-$28/hr). 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. 

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.

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Benefits: IRC offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package. Highlights include 10 paid sick leave, 10 U.S. holidays, 20-25 generous paid time off based on role and tenure, medical insurance starting at $163/month, dental starting at $6.50/month, and vision starting at $5/month, flexible spending accounts (healthcare, dependent care, and commuter), a 403(b) retirement savings plan with employer match (immediate vesting) along with a non-elective employer contribution based on age and years of service (3-year vesting), disability and life insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offering confidential counseling and support services for employees and their families.

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.