Korean Speaking Employment Specialist
HANA Center (HANA) is a Chicago-area non-profit organization working to meet the critical needs of Korean, Asian American, and multiethnic immigrant communities and build power toward systemic change. HANA has offices in Chicago and Prospect Heights, Illinois.
HANA Center’s Education & Workforce Empowerment (EWE) program equips English-language learning Korean and multiethnic immigrant community members with the education, tools, and resources toward developing core skills and actualizing their goals, including naturalization, enrollment in continued education, and employment in safe, living wage jobs. Outreach to HANA’s community is a critical aspect of the EWE program, including engagement of instructors, volunteers, and interns.
The Employment Specialist will be responsible to build a strong base and network of job seekers, employers, and resources that develops knowledge and capacity of multigenerational Suburban residing immigrant communities. The Specialist will facilitate a range of day-to-day workforce and education-related activities including recruitment, intake, job coaching, case management, local business partner cultivation, job placement and retention, and workers’ rights education and advocacy. The Specialist will be based at HANA’s Prospect Heights office.
Major Responsibilities:
- Engage and build strong relationships with primarily Korean American job seekers, assisting them to assess strengths and potential barriers to employment and access critical financial support resources, training, and continuing education to obtain and retain gainful employment
- Facilitate quarterly ESL/IT for Jobseekers Classes on topics such as basic life skills, financial literacy, digital literacy, interviewing, resume writing, time management, professionalism, online job searches, workers rights, etc.
- Coordinate day-to-day administration of workforce classes, including registration, testing, monitoring student attendance and progress, providing referrals, and follow-up
- Consistently and accurately track program activities, participant success, and outcomes, assisting with grant proposals and other reporting as assigned
- Working closely with the Manager, cultivate mutually beneficial employer relationships to develop a pool of high-quality employment opportunities for participants enrolled in workforce classes
- Actively contribute to the development of culturally appropriate tools and initiatives, such as workers rights, gender justice, financial education and resources for small businesses workshops, job training curriculum, and joint organizing actions with the Organizing team
- Effectively promote HANA Center, its programs, campaigns, and mission at community and funder meetings and events
- Coordinate annual Job Fair in partnership with Education & Workforce Empowerment Team
- Participate in and complete all required training
- Other duties as assigned
Key Qualifications:
- Commitment to immigrant rights and social, economic, and racial justice
- Demonstrated ability to encourage communities to support each other, organize, and achieve desired goals together
- Experience working on Korean American, Asian American, immigrant community issues, and/or social, economic, and racial justice issues preferred
- Bilingual proficiency in Korean and English required
- Bachelor’s degree in education, social work, social science or related field
- Minimum 1 year of experience in case management, facilitation, English language training, or related area of work
- Excellent time management, organization, and ability to prioritize multiple projects at once
- Previous job coaching experience is strongly preferred
- Self-starter with an ability to work well independently with minimal supervision and within a team
- Proven record of developing mutually beneficial community partnerships
- Willingness to stay up to date and research local job market trends and implications for supporting economic growth for immigrants and other job seeker communities including labor rights and protections
- Demonstrated ability to take initiative, critically analyze issues, and advance innovative solutions
- Creativity, flexibility, and open-mindedness in approach to community members and programming
- Ability to work with a flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends when required
- Valid driver’s license and flexibility to travel for events as needed; regular access to a car required
Supervises: Instructional staff, interns, and volunteers as assigned
Reports To: Workforce Empowerment Manager
Compensation: This is a full-time position with a salary range of $37,000-$39,000 and benefits that include paid time off, health, dental, vision, long-term disability, life, and 401K.
HANA Center is an equal opportunity employer.
Womxn, people of color, and LGBTQ+ individuals are encouraged to apply.