Youth Program Specialist

Major Responsibilities

Program Implementation

Academic and SEL program for middle school youth: Lead the implementation and support the design of IRC Washington’s middle school programs with a strengths based, experiential education approach. Sessions are aimed at targeting academic growth in ELL, Math, and Social Emotional Asset Development

- Confidently manage group dynamics during facilitation of activities and commit to growth in classroom management strategies - Create safe and healing learning spaces and build supportive relationships with youth from refugee and immigrant backgrounds utilizing a trauma informed and culturally responsive approach that promotes positive cultural identity, celebration of diversity, and is continually working towards equity and anti-racism in education. - Utilize academic resources and curriculum to ensure implementation of lesson plans are culturally-appropriate and level-appropriate newcomer youth. Settings may vary from during the school day push-in support to enrichment activities after school, during school breaks and during the summer - Manage data collection and tracking for internal program monitoring and evaluation, such as attendance records and implementing feedback mechanisms - Support and supervise volunteers and interns assisting with youth programming, including afterschool programs, tutoring services and summer school programs.

Outreach and Registration to Families

- Lead outreach, registration, and data management for assigned programs. Strategize with Youth Program Coordinators, stay up to date with eligibility requirements and creatively design opportunities for registration and eligibility verification documentation - Utilize interpretation resources to outreach to families, explain programs, provide ongoing support, answer questions and to complete required program forms - Maintain accurate and updated information on tracking files for external reporting purposes - Provide communication to families on program updates and creatively design materials and resources to answer frequently asked questions or to improve accessibility and understanding of the program information

Resource Development

- Independently maintain ongoing knowledge of level and grade appropriate English and Math Standards as well as High School and Beyond Plan Requirements (WA State) - Maintain ongoing knowledge of college and career pathways, application processes, financial aid requirements. and options, High School and Beyond Plan requirements, unique college and career programs for newcomer youth from refugee backgrounds. Creatively work with team to design opportunities for exposure at the middle school level - Research and build knowledge of available services and programs offered within IRC, schools, districts, community colleges, universities, partner agencies, and social service providers, in order to make referrals and connect youth and families to additional programs and services as needed.

General

- Be an active member of the IRC office with a commitment to learn about refugee resettlement and the growing number of departments, resources, services and supports available to newcomer refugee families - Partnership Engagement: Attend in person events in the community, co-facilitate arrangements of space and events, support the High School Youth Program Specialist and the broader Youth and Education Department with initiatives for family engagement events, field trips and other broader enrichment activities - Participate in all program meetings, staff development activities, and fully engage as a member of the IRC Washington Team - Take initiative as a member of the Youth and Education Department to support with organization of Department Section in the office and keep program supplies organized - Experience, ability and confidence to drive an IRC van, on occasion only, to transport participants to events as planned and as relevant quarterly or annual field trips, with prior planning and discussion. - Comply with all policies, procedures, and protocols of the agency. - Other related duties as assigned.

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to: Sr. Youth Program Coordinator

Indirect Reporting: Education and Learning Program Manager

Other Internal and/or external contacts:

Internal: Youth Program Team, AmeriCorps Members, other IRC Seattle staff

External: EL Teachers at partner school districts

Qualifications:

- Lived experience as a refugee or immigrant is preferred; In lieu of lived experience, experience working with refugees and/or immigrants; cross-cultural or overseas experience accepted - 2+ years experience teaching, tutoring or mentoring secondary youth as well as experience navigating post-secondary opportunities. Experience teaching/tutoring literacy and/or mathematics a plus. - Relevant degree or equivalent experience in fields such as youth development, college/career advising, teaching, tutoring, or mentoring desirable. Experience in group youth enrichment programs desired (such as day camps, youth groups, outdoor education programs, after school programs, field trips, sports/recreation programs or clubs). - Experience working with multi-lingual students with English Language Learners; TESOL certificate a plus. - Ability to work independently to ensure proactive, quality performance of duties, as well as ability to work as part of a team. - Adaptability and strong work ethic conducive to hybrid work environment, including work in the field, work from the office and work from remote settings as relevant - Strong ability to remain organized, keep attention to detail, and manage time. Ability to maintain quality case notes and documentation in an accurate and timely manner. - Must be comfortable in a fast-paced, multicultural environment. Team player willing to provide support to other staff and students. - Flexible and adaptable; able to quickly problem solve and change plans and activities according to student need or unexpected circumstances. Experience proactively communicating needs, changes, and status updates in a team environment - Committed to anti-racism and continual professional development, learning and growth. - Ability to maintain responsibility for multiple tasks in the context of a diverse, fast-paced work environment. - English proficiency, both spoken and written, proficiency in another language is preferred, especially of languages commonly present (Dari, Pashto, Somali, Arabic, Amharic, Ukrainian, and more) - Strong intercultural communication skills: demonstrated ability to work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds and across language diversity. Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills. - Experience and proficiency utilizing online platforms such as Zoom and Teams, and Microsoft Office Suite. Comfort learning new online systems as relevant to the work - Fluent in English both written and spoken and predominant language of local client base desired (Dari, Pashto, Arabic, Somali, Swahili, Kinyarwanda, Ukrainian etc.). a plus. - Willing to be First Aid/CPR certified upon hire. - Driver’s license and insurance

Working Environment:

- Need access to reliable transportation to travel and work off-site for participant related activities (i.e. schools, apartment complexes, community center etc.). - Varied work settings including in the field, IRC Washinton’s SeaTac office location and remote within the King County/Puget Sound vicinity; Occasional evening or weekend activities as needed. - Need access to reliable high-speed internet if working from remote office or ability to work from IRC’s office - Typical schedule will be Monday – Friday roughly 9:00 – 5:00, 10-6 or may shift slightly based on finalized program schedule - Access to reliable transportation to travel and work off-site at programs

Posted pay ranges apply to US-based candidates. Ranges are based on various factors including the labor market, job type, internal equity, and budget. Exact offers are calibrated by work location, individual candidate experience and skills relative to the defined job requirements.

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.

Gender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances.

Professional Standards: The IRC and IRC staff must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way – Global Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti-Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

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 $145 per month, dental starting at $7 per month, and vision starting at $5 per month, FSA for healthcare, childcare, and commuter costs, a 403b retirement savings plans with up to 4.5% immediately vested matching contribution, plus a 3-7% base IRC contribution (3 year vesting), 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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Qualifications Update