Youth Program Specialist

Background:

Founded in 1933, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) is a leading non-sectarian, voluntary organization providing relief, protection, and resettlement services for refugees and victims of oppression or violent conflict.  The Elizabeth, NJ IRC office serves over 1,000 refugees and other humanitarian entrants annually, providing them a fresh start and opportunities to use their greatest resources—their motivation, their skills and their experiences—to become independent and self-sufficient new Americans. 

Scope of Work:

The Youth Program Specialist ensures school aged refugee youth and their families have the academic and socio-emotional support necessary for a successful adjustment and transition to school. The Specialist implements IRC’s youth program, including program intakes and service planning, school enrollment, ongoing case management, school advocacy, parent orientations, and after school enrichment programming. The program currently serves approximately 160 refugee youth in Elizabeth and Roselle public schools, along with select high needs students out of district.

Responsibilities:

School Enrollment and Program Intake

·Ensure timely school enrollment for all newly arrived refugee youth in Elizabeth and Roselle Public Schools, including collaboration with Federally Qualified Health Clinics (FQHCs) to meet vaccination requirements

·Coordinate with schools and families to gather appropriate documents necessary for registration.

·Complete intake with families and gather information about children’s educational histories and needs; distribute this information to educators and school officials at time of enrollment.

Youth Case Management

·Provide task supervision and support to interns, in consultation with education and learning supervisor;

·Coordinate case management for students, including initial intake and orientation with newly arrived refugee youth and their families, and development, implementation, and evaluation of individualized service plans to ensure youth and families make a positive transition to education in the US.

·Ensure high quality case management services are provided to families including appropriate follow up and developing strong connections between the family, school, IRC and relevant community agencies. Ensure all services are appropriately documented in case files.

Out-of-School Time Programming

·Implement after school enrichment and social emotional learning programs

·Coordinate and schedule enrichment events with community partners

·Facilitate program orientation for families and communication with parents

Parent Orientations

·Facilitate and/or supervise intern facilitation of parent orientations including introduction to the U.S. school system, parent engagement, how to choose a high school in Elizabeth and post-college pathways

·Assess parents’ understanding of information and develop tools to evaluate increases in knowledge

Reporting, Data Collection and Funding

·Ensure program participants are properly enrolled and files are up to date

·Ensure data collection systems are up to date with program information at all times

·Other duties as assigned

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to:  Education and Learning Supervisor

Position Supervises: Master and Bachelor level interns

Requirements:

·Bachelor’s degree in education and/or social work strongly preferred

·A minimum of 2 years’ experience working with children and youth, specifically in the context of educational and social programs

·Experience working with English Language Learners, refugee and/or immigrant populations

·Experience working in New Jersey public schools and after school programs preferred

·Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills

·Ability to work well with people of diverse cultural backgrounds

·Ability to work independently and as part of a team 

·Organized and flexible: able to maintain responsibility for multiple tasks in the context of a diverse, fast-paced work environment 

·Fluency in English required.  Fluency in one of the languages of IRC’s client base is preferred (Arabic, Kiswahili, French, Dari, Pashto)

·Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite

Working Environment:

Standard office work environment. Local travel to client homes, schools and other community-based organizations is required.  Some evening/weekend work may be required.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

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