Assistant to the Dean of Student Support, Refugee Youth Summer Academy

Position:Assistant to the Dean of Student Support

Reports to: Youth Program Supervisor, Patrick Curran

Position term and Hours:    June 1 – 30, 2020 (Minimum 15 hours per week, preference to candidate seeking more hours) 

June 30; July 1, 2 (full days of training)

July 6 - August 31, 2020 (Minimum 15 hours per week, preference to candidate seeking more hours) 

BACKGROUND:

Founded in 1933, the International Rescue Committee is a leading, non-sectarian, non-profit organization providing emergency relief, protection, rehabilitation assistance, resettlement services, and advocacy for refugees and victims of oppression or violent conflict.  Domestically, our 26 offices across the U.S. ensure new arrivals have food, shelter, and clothing, and work with refugees to help them gain self-sufficiency.

Since 1999, the IRC has developed partnerships with New York City public schools, community-based organizations, and local colleges and universities to support the positive development of refugee youth and their communities in New York City. The Education and Learning department provides year round programming working directly with refugee youth, their parents and families, and their schools.

SCOPE OF WORK:

The Refugee Youth Summer Academy (RYSA) is a six-week program focusing on preparing newly arrived refugee youth to succeed at their grade level in the New York City public school system. Up to 130 students ages 5 – 21 from over 20 countries will participate in academic, creative arts, physical education, and social emotional learning classes. Field Trips are held on Fridays.

The Assistant to the Dean of Student Support will work closely with the Dean of Student Support to ensure the smooth daily operation of Refugee Youth Summer Academy student support services.  The intern will assist the Dean in ensuring that all student support services are implemented in accordance with the guidelines of RYSA’s Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS). This includes collecting and compiling data on student use of Tier II supports (restorative conversations, peace corner) and Tier III supports (meeting with Dean, counseling with Student Support team). This is an unpaid internship.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

1.Develop skills in building rapport with newly arrived immigrant parents and building their understanding of the American education system.

2.Learn about the educational, behavioral and mental health needs of newly arrived refugee and immigrant youth.

3.Learn how to implement current best practices to ensure all students are provided support according to their level of need.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

·Participate in All Staff training and all program meetings and staff development activities, thereafter

·Collect and compile all data related to Tier II and Tier III services provided as part of the Multi-Tier Systems of Support from RYSA Co-Teachers and the Student Support Team

·Assist the Dean of Student Support in compiling a weekly report on fidelity to the MTSS model and Student Support services implemented

·Assist in enrolling new students into the Academy in compliance with IRC policies and procedures

·Add student information to ETO

·Manage the waitlist for potential RYSA students and coordinate intakes as space becomes available

·Prepare new student information sheet for teachers

·Support newly arrived families in enrolling their children in New York City public schools throughout the summer

·Participate in weekly Student Support team meeting, recording and distributing minutes

·Assist in the coordination and set up of parent teacher conferences

·Assist in managing student behavior issues as needed

·Perform other administrative tasks assigned by the Dean of Student Support

·Experience with school counseling, school social work and implementing behavioral interventions preferred

·Experience with data collection and analysis

·Strong organizational skills

·Strong written and oral communicative skills

·Cultural competence and cross-cultural or overseas experience required

·Experience working with refugee and/or immigrant populations desirable

·Ability to work independently and as part of a team

·Second language proficiency in relevant language desirable (including Spanish, French, Pashto, Fulani, Wolof, Dari, Farsi, Arabic, Russian, Ukrainian, Mandingo, Haitian Creole, Nepali, Tibetan, Tagalog, Tigrinya, Bengali)

·Must be available for all training days and for the entire duration of the Academy