Education and School Liaison

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IRC - The International Rescue Committee

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The Education and School Liaison will take part in initiatives to increase newcomer families access to education at all levels, help families better understand, connect and engage with local school systems, increase access to school information and resources, and family outreach and referral initiatives. The Education and School Liaison supports the enrollment of school-aged refugee youth in local schools and IRC Education Access and Family Engagement programs. They promote family engagement in children’s education and facilitates and strengthens communication between schools and refugee families. The Education and School Liaison will support programs for families in the community, including at temporary housing locations such as hotels, at school locations or in a virtual setting. They will report to the Education Access and Family Engagement Coordinator and work with the colleagues on the Youth Programs team to coordinate service delivery.

Major Responsibilities:

Case Management:

- Support the school enrollment process for newly arrived school-aged youth into local schools, including transporting families in IRC vehicles when needed. - Support adults and caregivers with enrollment in English as a Second Language (ESL) classes - Support newcomer families with special or high needs students navigate school enrollment, screening, and placement process. - Support the scheduling and facilitation of New School Orientations for newcomer students and families in partnership with local schools. - Support newcomer families to engage with their children’s education, providing systems navigation, advocacy, and facilitate strong connections between schools and families. - Assist with recruitment, screening, and enrollment of newly arrived families into Youth and other IRC programs. - Maintain regular communication with parents and refer, as needed, to community resources - Identify new community resources and partners to assist IRC’s new students

Program Outreach and Implementation

- Receive and respond to referrals from Youth Program Staff and school partners for families who need additional assistance connecting to school or navigating instructional changes. Using interpretation services, conduct family outreach and provide systems navigation and support to improve family’s connection to school and student(s) engagement in school. Make referrals for additional wrap-around services as needed. - Conduct family outreach and facilitate regular Education Cultural Orientations for youth and caregivers on topics appropriate to families and students who recently arrived in the United States. - Support group programs for families on topics such as the American school system, school enrollment and supporting children’s success in school - Lead volunteers and interns in parent focused programs - Connect with school districts to identify contact people, enrollment process, and feedback from school districts to improve IRC’s partnership with school districts and enrollment process.

Administrative and General Support:

- Assist with the collection and maintenance of family documents needed for school enrollment and assist with school application submission. - Keep current/accurate routine records of the program services and prepare required reports. - Assist with data collection and tracking to meet funder requirements and for internal program monitoring and evaluation. Help complete necessary program reporting documentation. - Attend Youth Education Team meetings and complete administrative duties, including but not limited to reporting, timesheets, and expense reports - Other duties as assigned

General

- Participate in all program meetings, staff development activities, and fully engage as a member of the IRC team. - Comply with all policies, procedures, and protocols of the agency. - Other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education:

Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in education, social work, or related field.

Work Experience:

- In-depth knowledge of local education systems preferred. - Minimum of 1 year of experience in parent and family engagement in schools, case management, or parenting support. - Experience working with refugee and/or immigrant populations; cross-cultural or overseas experience.

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

- Ability to build strong relationships with families while also maintaining professional boundaries. - Ability to build relationships and communicate effectively with external partners. - Ability to learn quickly and work independently. - Must be proactive and feel comfortable taking the lead - Excellent attention to detail and strong organizational skills - Reliable, professional, resourceful, team-oriented and sensitive to cultural differences - Flexible and adaptable – able to quickly problem solve and change plans and activities according to parent and student need or unexpected circumstances. - Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills. Ability to work well with people of diverse cultural backgrounds. - Ability to maintain responsibility for multiple tasks in the context of a diverse, fast-paced work environment. - Fluency in English, written and spoken. - Fluency in Ukrainian desired - Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Zoom, or willingness to learn - Must have reliable transportation and maintain valid driver’s license and insurance coverage for vehicle

Working Environment:

- Hybrid: In-person and virtual/ remote work programming at schools, home visits and other community locations in South King County and Everett School District. - Standard office setting at IRC’s office in SeaTac and remote within the King County vicinity; Occasional evening or weekend activities as needed. - Need access to reliable high-speed internet if opting to work hybrid from remote office. - Need access to reliable transportation to travel and work off-site at programs (i.e. schools, apartment complexes, etc.).

Timeframe: This is a temporary, 1-year contract with prospects but no guarantee of extending the contract for more than 1 year.

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to: Education Access and Family Engagement Program Coordinator Position directly supervises: Volunteers and Interns Other Internal and/or external contacts:

Internal: Resettlement , Volunteer and Development Team, Youth Program, New Roots Program, Health Empowerment Program, Survivor Services Program, Economic Empowerment Program, Immigration Program, and other IRC departments

External: Families, School Districts (Teachers, Admin, etc.), Colleges and Universities, Community Based Organizations

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.

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Added 11 months ago - Updated 9 months ago - Source: rescue.org