Early Employment Program Coordinator

IRC Background:  The mission of the International Rescue Committee (IRC) is to help people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their future. Founded in 1933, the IRC has a presence in over 40 countries and 27 offices in the United States; the IRC leads the way from harm to home. IRC opened an office in Seattle in 1976 and provides a continuum of services including intensive case management, employment and economic empowerment services, immigration assistance, health and wellness programming, and education support to refugee and immigrant families in Washington State. IRC Seattle is committed to providing trauma-informed, equitable, and accessible services and maintaining and evolving a diverse, inclusive, and supportive workplace.

Job Overview: Under the direction of the Economic Empowerment Manager, the Early Employment Program Coordinator is responsible for coordinating early employment services for newly arrived refugee and other immigrant families particularly under US Office of Refugee Resettlement “Matching Grant” program funding. This position ensures high quality service provision and compliance with federal contract rules governing enrollment, ongoing eligibility, case close-out, and conducting regular quality control checks on case files. 

Major Responsibilities: 
Contract oversight (70% FTE)
•Provide expert Matching Grant and other early employment programs knowledge and guidance to colleagues and program participants
•Develop and maintain thorough understanding of Matching Grant manual, all compliance requirements, and changes and updates to the program
•Monitor incoming refugee arrivals and referrals, liaising regularly with Resettlement staff, to identify potential program participants
•Coordinate delivery of Matching Grant orientation to new program candidates
•Assign enrolled cases to case management staff
•Complete timely self-sufficiency reports and other reporting requirements 
•Review program participant files weekly for compliance and progress toward completeness; Discuss case progress with Economic Empowerment Manager and identify patterns through case tracking tools
•Prepare monthly reports and invoices for other employment programs, including LEP Pathway
•Represent the Matching Grant program at bi-weekly Collaborative Case Management meetings, monthly IRC US network Matching Grant calls, and quarterly consultation meetings with Washington State’s Office for Refugee and Immigrant Assistance and other stakeholders
•Represent the LEP Pathway program at monthly consortium meetings
•Attend and engage in all team meetings, staff meetings, and other relevant meetings
•Oversee and support match documentation efforts, providing training and guidance to supporting staff from Economic Empowerment, Logistics, Development, and Finance departments; share match gathered and reported with Economic Empowerment Program Manager; help colleagues design and implement plans to grow volunteer and in-kind donations to meet annual match targets
•Recruit, supervise and support early employment Interns/Volunteers
•Ensure provision of gender equitable services to promote gender parity in services and economic potential amongst communities served

Direct Services (30% FTE)
•Create and implement plans for program participants’ progression to independence:  Develop comprehensive employment plans for each employable adult and additional household members; Assist program participants in creating a budget and provide strategies for budget improvements
•Curate and steward long-term relationships with area employers to identify appropriate employment opportunities for program participants
•Identify and engage additional community partners and resources to enhance service and support options for Matching Grant and LEP pathway program participants. 
•Collaborate with Adult Education Specialist to coordinate delivery of learning opportunities for program participants.
•Support program participants in securing employment: In close coordination with program participants, prepare resumes and applications; prepare program participants to navigate the hiring process, assisting with interviews, onboarding, drug screening, new hire orientations and paperwork; provide follow-up during initial training period to ensure successful placement
•Support Services: Ensure delivery of monthly rent and pocket money as needed for program participants 
•Documentation and Quality Control:  Document all services to program participants, including commitments and actions taken to fulfill them, using data tracking systems Efforts to Outcomes (ETO), Integra, and others as instructed
•Regularly review paper and electronic documentation produced to ensure it is complete and follows all IRC data entry rules; Complete corrections as instructed; Prepare for monitoring
•Team planning:  Coordinate regularly with supervisor and colleagues to ensure timely communication on status of service provision and discuss program participants’ adherence to program requirements. 
•Participate in all program meetings, staff development activities, and fully engage as a member of the IRC Economic Empowerment team
•Follow all IRC ethics policies including but not limited to the IRC Way, Adult & Child Safeguarding, Harassment Free Workplace Policy, Gender Equality policy, Global Information Security Policy
•Following IRC COVID-19 safety protocols
•Other duties as assigned
•Support case managers, interns and volunteers in providing trauma informed and person-centered services to all program participants.
•Support the professional development of early employment team members 

Key Working Relationships: 
Position Reports to:  Economic Empowerment Program Manager
Indirect Reporting:  Resettlement Manager, Matching Grant Program Officer
Position Supervises: Employment Specialists & Job Placement AmeriCorps
Other Internal and/or external contacts: 
Internal: Resettlement team, Health Empowerment Team, Operations Team, Finance Team, other IRC Seattle Program teams, IRC US office network, IRC HQ Matching Grant program support team
External: Employers, Office for Refugee and Immigrant Assistance, LEP Pathway Consortium partners, other refugee and immigrant service providers