Somali Employment Counselor

Hmong American Partnership (HAP) is a non-profit social service and community development organization located in the heart of Minnesota who addresses the needs of more than 30,000 immigrants and refugees across the Twin Cities each year.

We are looking for a motivated and passionate individual to join our team as the Somali Employment Counselor in our Workforce Development impact area.

Under the Employment Services Manager's direction, the Employment Counselor will help and assist the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) participants in Ramsey County achieve self-sufficiency by providing job search assistance, career counseling, and employment case management.

As an Employment Counselor, you will work closely with English, Hmong, Karen, and or Somali speaking participants (whereas English is a second language) to identify barriers in employment, and develop individualized employment plans, document and collect participant activities and hours, respond to client questions and needs, and enter all information relevant to each participant into the Workforce One (WF1) data system.

• Salary : $19.23 - $21.63 / hour; depending on qualifications.
• Hours / Days : Mon-Fri, 8 : 30am-5 : 00pm (evenings and weekends as needed).
• Benefits : Medical, Dental, Vision, STD, LTD, Life, Accident & Critical Illness, PTO, Holiday Pay, & 401K.

Position Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive intake assessment of participants that identify strengths and barriers to employment.
• Develop, review, and update participant employment plans based upon assessment information.
• Collect and verify participant documentation according to activities in the employment plan; track, monitor, case note, and report participant activities and progress in Workforce One system.
• Effectively track and manage cases through reports, personal databases, and the Workforce One data system to meet performance goals and meet deadlines.
• Inform participants of relevant job leads and encourage work-eligible participants to apply for jobs.
• Provide support services including family assistance, transportation, childcare referral, problem-solving, encouragement, and make appropriate referrals internally and to community organizations.
• Stay current on MFIP related policies, including federal, state, and county; knowledge of labor market and employment trends, current employment and training providers and programs, and other relevant resources.

Education and Experience

• A high school diploma or GED is required.
• An AA / AS in a Human Services or related field; BA / BS is preferred, or a combination of related education and work experience to equal at least three (3) years.
• Minimum of one (1) year of relevant work experience in social work, human services, or a related field, focusing on BIPOC communities
• The ability to speak and write in Somali is required.

Please see the attached Employment Counselor job description for the complete position overview.

HAP is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. Our organization will not discriminate against or harass any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, familial status, membership, or activity in a local human rights commission, or status with regard to public assistance.

Individuals with disabilities in need of accommodation should contact us at [email protected].