WorkSource Career Specialist

About the role

The Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO) is a non-profit established in 1976 to serve immigrants, refugees, and the broader community in Portland, Oregon. IRCO’s mission is to welcome, serve, and empower refugees, immigrants, and people across cultures and generations to reach their full potential.

The WorkSource Career Specialist provides training and career services to job seekers of diverse backgrounds and skill levels, with a focus on workforce skills, career planning, WIOA documentation, Individual Training Account (ITA) scholarships, and job-seeking support.

Responsibilities

• Guide participants on WorkSource services and assess needs for career and/or training plans.
• Coach participants to create individualized career plans aligned with goals, needs, and skills for upskilling or retraining.
• Provide technical assistance with WorkSource registration and fund enrollment.
• Review and verify participant readiness for training opportunities; assist with ITA scholarship applications and reviews.
• Facilitate support services to help participants overcome barriers to WorkSource services and employment.
• Connect individuals to community resources, professional skill development, training opportunities, and wrap-around services.
• Refer participants to Aligned Partner Network organizations, WIOA-funded Youth Workforce System providers, and other WorkSource programs.
• Support customers throughout training with regular check-ins and customized support plans when obstacles arise.
• Follow up with training outcomes, collect required accreditation documents (certificates, diplomas, etc.).
• Assist customers with employment readiness: work readiness skills, job search, resume writing, interviewing, job leads, and employer networking.
• Follow up with enrolled participants to capture employment information and reconnect them to WorkSource Centers as needed.
• Engage hard-to-reach populations, increase participation, and build collaborative relationships with staff, client services, WorkSource Portland Metro programs, and funding agencies.
• Participate in weekly training scholarship meetings; gather and maintain current labor market data to advise clients on opportunities.
• Conduct regular workshops per monthly schedule and collect customer feedback.
• Coordinate closely with the WorkSource N/NE team and Worksystems; maintain accurate case files, detailed case notes, and outcome reports.
• Document service and performance data in the I-Trac database; track program/grant statistics and summarize in reports.
• Verify customers’ eligibility for SNAP Employment & Training (E&T) monthly; gather and report participant success stories.
• Assist with Layoff Transition Assistance Services and travel throughout the Portland Metro area as needed.
• Deliver WorkSource services at the Express Center within Central City Concern when required, including one-on-one services, WIOA documentation, and resource room assistance.
• Attend required program trainings and maintain current knowledge of program policies and procedures.
• Perform other related duties as required by the WorkSource Center.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Minimum 2 years of work experience.
• Proficiency with computers, especially Microsoft Office products.
• Ability to pass a criminal background check.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in the WorkSource System or Workforce Development.
• Skilled in record keeping and case management systems.
• Experience conducting training and workshops.
• Knowledge of vocational counseling and career coaching for individuals with barriers to employment.
• Proficiency in facilitating scholarship processing.
• Knowledge of the local job market and employer concerns.

Physical, Mental, & Environmental Requirements

• Physical: Minimal physical effort; occasional movement to complete tasks.
• Mental: Regular task variation; prioritization and sequencing decisions required.
• Environment: Well-protected, low-risk work environment with stable conditions.
• Schedule: Stable, predictable schedule.

Benefits

• Flexible working arrangements and schedules.
• 3 to 6 weeks of paid time off per year.
• 401k match over 100% on the first 5%, immediate vesting.
• 3% match for student loans or college savings.
• 12 paid holidays plus 1 floating holiday.
• Medical and dental insurance with 90% coverage for employee and families, no deductibles.
• Employer-paid life, short-term, and long-term disability insurance.
• Flexible spending accounts.