Bilingual Korean Workforce Empowerment Coordinator 

Job Description

HANA Center (HANA) is a Chicago-area non-profit community-based 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 Workforce Empowerment (WE) 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 WE program, including engagement of instructors and volunteers. 

Position Summary

The Workforce Empowerment Coordinator will be responsible for building a strong network of job seekers, employers, and resources to enhance the knowledge and capacity of immigrant communities residing in suburban areas across multiple generations. The Coordinator will facilitate a variety of daily workforce and education-related activities, including recruitment, intake, job coaching, individualized case management, digital literacy training, job placement readiness, preparation for Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) certification, and education and advocacy regarding workers’ rights. Additionally, the role will involve cultivating partnerships with local businesses in collaboration with the Senior Manager of Community Engagement. The Coordinator will be based at HANA’s Prospect Heights office. 

Major Responsibilities

  • Outreach, engage, and build strong relationships with primarily Korean-speaking job seekers 

  • Conduct comprehensive needs assessments and develop individualized case management plans for program participants, 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 

  • Develop and facilitate interactive 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. 

  • Oversee IT for Jobseekers classes including supervising contracted instructor, registration, testing, and monitoring student attendance 

  • Monitor program participant progress and provide needed case management toward participant success 

  • Conduct pre/post surveys to assess skills achievement, job readiness, and program satisfaction 

  • Consistently and accurately track program activities, participant success, and outcomes, assisting with grant proposals and other reporting as assigned 

  • 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  

  • Support coordinating annual Job Fair in partnership with Education & Workforce Empowerment Teams 

  • 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 

  • Previous experience in case management, facilitation, English language training, or related area of work strongly preferred 

  • Excellent time management, organization, and ability to prioritize multiple projects at once 

  • Previous job coaching experience 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, and volunteers as assigned 

Reports To: Sr. Manager of Community Engagement  

Compensation: This is a full-time, exempt position with a salary range of $45,000 - $50,000. HANA Center offers full benefits that include paid leave, paid sick leave, health, dental, vision, long-term disability, life, and 401K.

Application: Applicants should submit a resume and cover letter to jobs@hanacenter.org with the subject line “Workforce Empowerment Coordinator.”

  

HANA Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Women, people of color, and LGBTQ+ individuals are encouraged to apply.