NorCal Language Access and Cultural Orientation Coordinator

Job Description

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. The IRC has been resettling refugees in Northern California for over 30 years, providing reception and placement services to newly arrived refugees.

Job Overview: The NorCal Language Access and Cultural Orientation (CO) Coordinator is responsible for leading the Northern California region’s efforts to ensure language access and provide culturally appropriate education including orientation services, classes, and workshops for refugees and other newcomers. This position is also tasked with completing surveys and screenings with clients and establishing and maintaining partnerships that support IRC classes and programs. This position will also serve as the lead role in the development and management of NorCal’s language access services beginning with development of a regional strategy on language access. They will oversee the delivery of high-quality, reliable language interpretation and interpreter training that will facilitate access to health, education, government, legal, and community services for the limited English proficient (LEP) population in Sacramento. This position reports to the Sacramento Site Director. In addition, the position is responsible for overseeing strong cultural orientation practices across Northern California.

Major Responsibilities:

Language Access

- Develop and implement the NorCal Language Access Plan in coordination with site directors and the executive director to strengthen the region’s interpretation and language access capacity. - Frequently assess and re-evaluate language access and interpretation needs across four sites in the NorCal region, and hire interpreters accordingly. - Manage the scheduling of appointments with clients and contract interpreters - Assign appropriate interpreters taking into consideration the interpreter’s availability, training, experience, past performance, and familiarity with the client’s needs - Reconcile interpreter assignments with client encounter information for invoicing - Work with IRC management and financial staff to coordinate the efficient billing of clients and the timely payment of contract interpreters - Ensure excellent customer service - Prepare reports as needed by the IRC and interpreter service management - Identify the language needs of clients/customers, IRC, and the community - Conduct a search for bilingual speakers through advertisements and networking with community partners and organizations - Coordinate interpreter orientation sessions and training sessions - Test candidates for language competency in English and target language(s) using outside 3rd party - Conduct ongoing training and regular program updates with contract interpreters focused on ethics, accuracy, impartiality, professionalism, confidentiality, attitude, special terminology, customer service, and other topics - Evaluate the performance of interpreters through shadowing, client feedback/ evaluation, and related activities - Ensure that contract interpreters adhere to national standards of interpreter ethics. - Maintain professional competency in all aspects of language services by remaining up-to-date on current trends, developments, and latest practices with interpretation and language services. - Provide interpretation in critical/last minute situations and as part of training and shadowing - Respect the diverse beliefs and values of customers/clients, contract interpreters, and LEP clients - Participates in IRC management and staff meetings as appropriate - Undertake other interpreter services duties as assigned by IRC management.

Cultural Orientation

- Review, improve, and grow IRC’s cultural orientation system, with consideration towards grant requirements, agency best practices, and refugee assets and needs; - Develop creative solutions and practices to maximize refugee understanding of essential information; - Teach multiple cultural orientation classes each week to new refugee arrivals, using engaged learning and nontraditional teaching methods; - Develop and review orientation resources, such as written and language-appropriate orientation aids for participants, as necessary; - Implement safety and crime prevention education to promote security and safety for refugee communities, including workshops and neighborhood watch groups; - Ensure regular case file documentation and tracking of class attendance, screening outcomes, and referrals; - Ensure cultural orientation assessments are conducted and tracked; - Complete surveys; track and analyze survey data to share with program supervisors; - Discover and cultivate community partners to assist in the cultural orientation of newly arrived refugees, including arranging guest speakers (i.e. law enforcement, CPS, etc.); - Work closely with staff across departments to coordinate services and gather feedback; - Empower and equip interns and volunteers to assist in the provision of education in creative and impactful ways;

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

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to: Sacramento Site Director Position directly supervises: Cultural Orientation Caseworker, Cultural Orientation Case Aid, Interpreters

Indirect Reporting: N/A Other Internal and/or external contacts:

Internal: Must work closely with all NorCal teams on cultural orientation and ensuring adequate interpretation services.

External: Coordination with guest speakers and community organizations for partnerships.

Job Requirements:

- Bachelor’s degree and the skills and knowledge typically acquired through two to three years of relevant work experience. - Demonstrated teaching ability and experience, preferably in a cross-cultural setting. Adult education certification preferred. - Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills needed to work effectively with partners and colleagues in a cross-cultural, multi-disciplinary environment. - High level of energy, motivation, and commitment to continuously improve service delivery; - Superior communication and interpersonal skills and strong English writing and communication skills. Bilingual or multilingual abilities preferred; - Strong organizational skills with the ability to juggle multiple tasks, set priorities, effectively manage time, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment. - Highly organized self-starter with excellent problem-solving skills and proven ability to multi-task, prioritize duties and manage time effectively; - Experience serving as an interpreter in healthcare, education, legal, and/or community strongly preferred - Experience supervising a culturally diverse staff and/or contractors. - Valid driver’s license, active insurance policy, and access to reliable transportation. - Proven ability to work independently and as a team member in a fast-paced, cross-cultural environment; - Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications: Word, Excel, Outlook;

Working Environment:

- Hybrid work environment (remote, field, and home) . - Travel to field site operations and external stakeholder meetings occasionally. - Occasional evening and weekend hours may be required.

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 new hires to furnish proof of vaccination against COVID-19 in order to be considered for any in-office or hybrid positions. All IRC US offices require full vaccination to attend any in-office functions (e.g., meetings, trainings).

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.

US Benefits: We offer a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. In the US, these include: 10 sick days, 10 US holidays, 20-25 paid time off days depending on role and tenure, medical insurance starting at $120 per month, dental starting at $7 per month, and vision starting at $5 per month, FSA for healthcare and commuter costs, a 403b retirement savings plans with immediately vested matching, disability & life insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support counseling and care in times of crisis and mental health struggles.

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