Cultural Orietation Specialist

Job Description

Job Summary

The Cultural Orientation Specialist is responsible for ensuring new arrival refugees and other eligible populations receive effective orientation to the US customs, systems, language through trainings pertaining to health, hygiene, job readiness, financial management, and transportation. The Specialist develops culturally and linguistically appropriate curriculum and materials to aid in client learning and implements tools to track client participation and assessment on learning outcomes. Additionally, the Cultural Orientation Specialist will outreach to community resources and providers to connect clients and enrich the classroom learning experience. In coordination with the Resettlement Team, the Specialist will monitor and evaluate the progress of client learning of IRC Boise Boise Orientation and Job Readiness Training programs. This position reports to the Casework Coordinator.

Major Responsibilities:

Responsibilities may include but are not limited to:

· Provide group adjustment training to IRC clients using adult learning methods and active engagement principles. This includes managing training logistics, scheduling interpreters and facilitating trainings.

· Track client participation and document client progress to ensure compliance with program requirements.

· Implement assessment protocols for all adjustment trainings and evaluate client learning to ensure attain learning goals.

· Communicate regularly with the Resettlement Team through weekly team meetings to coordinate the provision of adjustment training services

· Developing strategies to incorporate adult learning principles into all IRC programs and departments.

· Providing in-depth public transit training by riding with clients on Valley Metro buses and educating clients how to effectively use public transit.

· Collaborating with Resettlement team to maintain and distribute language specific and culturally appropriate materials and community resources to all clients.

· In compliance with contract and agency requirements, develop curricula for a standing orientation process for new arrivals along with expanding orientation programing for new arrivals clients.

· Establish written and language appropriate orientation aids for participants.

· Arrange guest speakers (i.e., law enforcement, CPS, etc.) as well as additional assistance and community connections for cultural orientation and adaptations for new arrival clients.

· Develop systems to incorporate all IRC’s services into the orientation process to ensure new arrivals understand the depth of programming available to them.

· Incorporate computer-based both remote and in-person learning into the orientation process through the utilization of apps such as WhatsApp, Zoom and others.

· Expand partnerships with community service providers, volunteer organizations, ethnic community organizations, English Language Training programs, and other adult education programs in order to enhance the cultural orientation and connected integration of new arrival refugees and asylees.

· Other related duties as assigned

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to: Casework Coordinator Other Internal and/or external contacts:

Internal: Resettlement Caseworkers and Assistants; Workforce Development Specialists; Assistants; Interns; Volunteers

External: Community Partners such as ValleyRide; City of Boise Police Department; Adult Education Partners through community colleges and universities; GED programs; Volunteer Assistance Organizations; Ethnic Community Based Organizations; Friendly House; English Language Training Programs

Job Requirements

· Undergraduate degree in Education, Adult Learning, Teaching English as a Second Language; Teaching pedagogy or similar degree.

· One + years of professional work experience with at least one year of classroom experience and developing of curriculum.

· Preferably teaching experience with students who have English as a second language.

· Some supervisory/ staff oversight experience preferred along with coordination and community outreach experience

· Fluency in written and spoken English, bilingual ability preferred in Swahili, Kinyarwanda, Arabic, Dari/ Farsi, Pashto, French or other refugee/immigrant language used in Arizona.

· Cross-cultural understanding and strong communication skills, both written and verbal with lived experience as refugee or immigrant or in lieu of lived experience, experience working with refugees and/or immigrants or experience working cross-culturally

· Ability to prepare accurate and timely case notes, reports, and assessments for timely documentation and organization client interactions and services provided, maintained, and updated in the case files.

· Computer proficiency with an emphasis on Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Teams, Outlook). Experience in web-based data entry systems and databases strongly preferred.

· Highly organized self-starter with success prioritizing multiple tasks, making critical decisions, and delivering results in a fast-paced environment with stringent deadlines

· Able to work through a variety of mediums in presenting and teaching effectively.

· Demonstrated ability to work as a team member in a multi-cultural environment.

· Must possess or be eligible to receive a fingerprint clearance card.

· Valid driver’s license, reliable vehicle with current insurance, and the ability to travel regularly throughout the service delivery area for remote, home or field-based teaching.

Working Environment:

Due to COVID-19, the IRC Boise office has only recently opened for partial staff to work in the office. Thus, the position will be a mixture teaching and working remotely from home, the field throughout the service delivery area, and in the office all in abidance by COVID-19 safety and health guidelines. IRC requires all staff to be vaccinated for COVID-19 and follow CDC health and safety guidelines. In the future, the position may move to a more standard office work environment.

This position is based out of Boise, ID.

Travel for the provision of resettlement services can range up to a 50-mile radius.

Work hours may vary outside of traditional work hours (early morning, evenings and weekend)

May also need to provide transportation for clients in personal vehicle or in a 15-passenger van

Benefits: We offer our employees phenomenal benefits such as paid parental leave, generous time off, and excellent medical, dental, and vision options.

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement****: In accordance with IRC’s duty to provide and maintain a workplace that is free of known hazards and our commitment to safeguard the health of our employees, clients, and communities, IRC requires candidates who are selected for interview to furnish proof of vaccination against COVID-19 in order to be considered for this position.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusivity****: IRC is committed to building a diverse organization and a climate of inclusivity. We strongly encourage applications from candidates who can demonstrate that they can contribute to this goal.

Equal Opportunity Employer****: 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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Qualifications