Youth Program Specialist

Founded in 1933, the IRC is a leading nonsectarian, voluntary organization providing relief, protection and resettlement services for refugees and victims of oppression or violent conflict. One aspect of the IRC is to assist refugees with resettlement and integration in the United States. The IRC opened a Denver office in 2016 to provide reception and placement services to newly arrived refugees. The office is slated to resettle approximately 200-250 refugees per year and provides wraparound program services that assist refugees, asylees, Cuban and Haitian entrants, victims of trafficking, survivors of torture, and other immigrant population. Most services are available for at five years following arrival in the U.S. The IRC in Denver’s service approach is client-centered, empowerment-focused, trauma-informed, and multigenerational.

JOB OVERVIEW:

As an integral part of the IRC in Denver’s Safety and Wellness team and working in close coordination with the Resettlement Team, the Youth Program Specialist is responsible for providing year-round support to children and youth and their families, with an emphasis on social, emotional, and academic learning (SEAL) for children ages 5-13 and for youth and young adults ages 14-21. This is accomplished through summer camps and other out-of-school time programming, school enrollment support, and other youth-focused activities.

The work is driven by a belief in the capability of all clients, a commitment to empowering clients and promoting self-efficacy, and a strong orientation toward trauma-responsive and compassionate approaches to help children, youth, and families set and move toward goals. The Youth Program Specialist ensures that services are delivered in a timely, professional and efficient manner, in accordance with client needs; IRC quality standards, policies and procedures; local and state regulations; established federal guidelines; and donor requirements.

The Youth Program Specialist position is grant-funded and term-limited for 12 months, with the potential to extend contingent upon funding availability. It is part-time at 60% (22.5 hours per week) with the potential to increase up to full-time (37.5 hours per week).

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop and deliver and culturally- and age-appropriate SEAL curriculum for enrichment activities and out-of-school time programming, with a focus on the IRC/YMCA summer camp for children ages 5-13;
• Conduct outreach to families to recruit children and youth to participate in summer camps and other activities;
• Support families participating in programming with orientation to the programming, transportation training, bus passes, and other assistance to remove barriers to participation;
• Design and implement a Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) structure to promote participants’ wellbeing, and to ensure appropriate support is offered to participants based on their individual needs;
• Serve as a key liaison to camp coordinators and facilitators, teachers, school staff, and community partners;
• Provide training for staff and partners working with children and youth, to build their capacity to engage participants regardless of English language level or cultural background in a trauma-informed manner, and are equipped with de-escalation skills and other tools to foster a supportive and inclusive environment;
• Attend the 8-week IRC/YMCA summer camp regularly un to oversee implementation of programming tailored to refugee and immigrant children and manage programming delivered by community partners;
• Meet weekly with IRC/YMCA summer camp staff to consult on specific children and offer ongoing training;
• Support school enrollment and re-enrollment, in partnership with the Casework Team and volunteers;
• Aid families in navigating school systems to support student learning and ensure their children’s success;
• Assist in identifying and engaging youth for job readiness training, digital literacy, financial capability, summer employment, and other services;
• Recruit, train, and oversee volunteers and interns working in support of programming for children and youth;
• Assess and monitor participants’ social, emotional, and academic gains by regularly administering assessments selected by the IRC in Denver or required by donor;
• Evaluate outcome data to identify program strengths and areas for improvement;
• Collect and track participant data, maintain attendance records, assessment data, and other outcomes and metrics, and ensure documentation is entered into the Efforts to Outcomes (ETO) database timely;
• Participate in meetings and trainings with the Denver Office of Children’s Affairs and others as requested;
• Prepare reports on program activities and accomplishments per donor requirements;
• Ensure compliance with requirements of the program, including IRC policies and procedures, donor guidelines, and relevant federal and state regulations; and
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

• Undergraduate degree in the educational field or equivalent years of related work experience required;
• At least two years of experience working in youth development or in an educational setting preferred;
• Experience working in a multi-cultural non-profit and/or international setting with diverse client base;
• Strong English language skills, including written and verbal communications and as well as presentations;
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, particularly when working cross-culturally, across languages, and with individuals with low literacy and/or limited English proficiency;
• Ability to think and work independently; 
• Must be extremely flexible, capable of working under pressure with deadlines and managing multiple priorities;
• Strong computer skills particularly in MS Office applications and experience with databases;
• Proficiency in Kiswahili, Arabic, French, Dari and/or Pashto, or other relevant languages a plus;
• Superb organizational, planning, time and task management and logistical skills;
• Strong decision-making capabilities, with solid judgement and ethics consistent with the IRC Way;
• Demonstrated commitment to safeguarding principles to ensure the wellbeing of children and families;
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook), internet applications and relational databases; and
• Use of a reliable personal vehicle preferred, with valid driver’s license and current insurance.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

• Standard professional office environment combined with considerable time in the field and in neighborhoods where refugees live.
• Travel in and around the Denver metro area to facilitate service delivery, build community relationships and represent the IRC with community partners.
• Hours outside of typical office hours required on occasion.
• Work schedule to be negotiated with the supervisor, with regular on-site presence to implement programming at the IRC/YMCA summer camp required from June through early August.