Family Education Supports (FES) Mentor & Employment Counselor (Bilingual)

Status: Full time (32hrs/week, 0.8 FTE) with benefits

Salary Range: $23 to $26 per hour depending on qualifications

Benefits: Health insurance (100% of employee premium for Silver-level plan covered by employer), life insurance, short-term disability insurance, approx. 107 hours/year of paid time off (0.0644 hours per hour worked), 48 hours/year ESST (0.033 hours of earned sick and safe time per hour worked), KOM covers 50% of employee premiums for Minnesota Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML), 10 paid holidays, and regular employer-paid training opportunities.

Languages: English and one of the following languages: Pashto, Dari, Karen, or Spanish.

Reports to: Program Director, Asadullah Zazai

Position Description:

The Family Education Supports (FES) Mentor & Employment Counselor is a split position that supports two distinct programs at KOM designed for newly arrived refugee and other protected status populations – youth mentorship and adult employment counseling.

In the FES Mentor role (60% of time), the employee provides individualized mentoring, family engagement, and case management services to refugee and newcomer youth using the Check & Connect mentoring model. The goal of the program is to promote school engagement, educational success, positive youth development, and overall family well-being.

In the Employment Counselor role (20% of time), the employee assists refugee and immigrant adults with employment preparation, job placement, job retention, and career advancement services. The goal of the program is to support economic self-sufficiency through sustainable employment and workforce development.

The successful candidate will work collaboratively with schools, families, employers, community partners, and service providers to help participants overcome barriers, achieve their goals, and access opportunities for long-term success.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Recruitment and Enrollment

• Recruit and enroll eligible participants seeking employment or career advancement services.
• Meet enrollment and service targets established by program funders.

Documentation and Data Entry

• Maintain complete and accurate participant files.
• Document services, placements, outcomes, and follow-up activities in required databases, including MRIS and Apricot.
• Collect and maintain eligibility documentation, employment verifications, releases of information, and other required records.
• Submit timely reports and documentation required by funders and program partners.

Youth Mentorship (60%)

Youth Recruitment, Assessment, and Goal Planning

• Collaborate with K-12 school staff to identify and recruit eligible refugee and newcomer youth participants.
• Conduct participant intake, assessments, and needs evaluations.
• Develop individualized student success plans and goal-setting strategies with youth and their families.

Mentoring and Family Engagement

• Provide consistent, one-on-one mentoring using the Check & Connect model.
• Support students in improving school engagement, attendance, academic progress, and long-term educational outcomes.
• Build trusting relationships with youth and families by providing culturally and linguistically responsive support.
• Promote meaningful family involvement in students’ education and school activities.
• Serve as a liaison between students, families, schools, and community partners.

Student Support and Referrals

• Identify academic, social, emotional, behavioral, and mental health concerns and connect participants to appropriate resources and services.
• Assist students in accessing tutoring, volunteering, internship, social work, and community-based support.
• Support students transitioning from high school to post-secondary education, workforce training, or employment opportunities.

Employment Counseling (20%)

Employment Preparation and Placement

• Assist participants in identifying employment opportunities and completing job applications.
• Support participants with resume preparation, interview skills, and job search strategies.
• Coordinate interviews, onboarding activities, interpretation services, transportation arrangements, and other employment-related supports as needed.
• Deliver individual and small group employment readiness training.

Workforce Development

Provide coaching and instruction on:

• Resume development and application best practices
• Interview preparation and communication skills
• Workplace expectations and professional behavior
• Employee rights and responsibilities
• Understanding wages, benefits, taxes, and pay stubs
• Career advancement and long-term workforce planning

Job Retention and Advancement

• Conduct follow-up services with newly employed participants at 7, 30, and 90 days after placement.
• Support participants in achieving employment advancement goals, including:
  • Higher wages
  • Increased work hours
  • Transition from temporary to permanent employment
  • Improved career opportunities and long-term economic stability

Qualifications

Required

• Fluency in English and at least one of the following languages: Pashto, Dari, Karen, or Spanish.
• Reliable transportation and ability to travel frequently throughout the Twin Cities Metro area. Mileage reimbursed by KOM.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining accurate documentation and meeting deadlines.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and electronic data management systems.

Preferred

• Experience working with refugee, immigrant, and newcomer communities.
• Experience in youth development, mentoring, education, workforce development, employment services, case management, social services, or related fields.
• Knowledge of community resources, educational systems, and workforce development programs.

To Apply:

Email your resume, cover letter, and 3 professional references to humanresources@mnkaren.org.

The Karen Organization is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants and employees will be considered for employment and advancement without regard to gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, or any other basis protected by applicable laws. This policy applies to all employment practices and terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to promotions, transfers, compensation, terminations, training, and participation in KOM-sponsored benefits or programs. Employees and applicants should raise any concerns they might have regarding possible discrimination or harassment with KOM’s Executive Director.