Career Counselor-Refugee

Join Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest (LSS-SW), a nonprofit organization established in 1970 to assist our most vulnerable community members. LSS-SW is dedicated to delivering services that:

• STABILIZE during crises,
• BUILD self-reliant foundations, and
• PRESERVE dignity and respect.

Each month, LSS-SW supports over 5,000 Arizonans across Metro Phoenix, Tucson, and southern Arizona through programs in Refugee Services, Aging & Disability Services, Family Services, and Emergency Services.

Position Overview: The Career Counselor is responsible for the continuous assessment, vocational assistance, and counseling of adult refugee clients regarding their movement toward employment. This position is responsible for the creation of employment and career development plans, for referring refugee community members to training, vocation, and employment programs, and for continuous assessment to determine refugees' job readiness and career development.

Key Responsibilities:

• Complete employment orientation and specialized career development plan with participants.
• Hold career development and employment planning sessions with participants.
• Based on clients' interests, education, work experience, motivation and career goals, refer clients to appropriate training and vocation programs.
• Hold one-on-one meetings with participants to determine progression and next steps.
• Maintain client records, including training program evaluations, internship supervisor reviews, case notes, and other documents to demonstrate clients' progress toward career goals.
• Provide intensive support for employed clients as necessary to promote job retention.
• Make recommendations regarding candidates' fit for job openings.
• Build and maintain relationships with employer, vocational, educational, and other community partners
• Document all referrals, counseling sessions, and client information in database.
• Work with team members to determine employer needs and necessary revisions of training programs for participants

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree (B. A.) from four-year college or university; two to four years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Previous experience in vocational counseling and/or training preferred.
• Valid Arizona driver's license, reliable transportation, ability to clear background checks and obtain level-1 fingerprint clearance card.
• Individual must have the ability to speak, read and write English.
• Bilingual preferred English and at least one client language including Spanish, German, French, Arabic, Farsi, Karen, Swahili and Russian.
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Ability to collaborate with diverse individuals in a multicultural environment, working with people from diverse backgrounds non-judgmentally..
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Negotiation and conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to manage time effectively, work independently, and handle confidential information with discretion.
• Proficient with computers and related business electronics, systems and software, including Microsoft Office products.
• Professional communications in all forms, strong customer service skills, effective listening, ability to ascertain needs and exercise good judgement.
• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods, operate office equipment, and occasionally lift up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to work within the mission of LSS-SW.

Join Our Mission:

If you are passionate about making a difference and have a strong career advisement background, join us in fulfilling the mission of LSS-SW to support and empower our community's most vulnerable members, and our vision of "A future where all people thrive."

All positions at Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest require a background check.