Youth School Success Specialist

International Rescue Committee • New York, NY

7h • Onsite

About The Position

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future. Job Overview/Summary: The Youth Program Specialist supports school-aged refugee youth and their families in successful adjustment and transitions to school. The Youth Program Specialist will play a vital role in the implementation of the Newcomer Youth Summer Academy. The role is part of the Student Support Team, promoting student social-emotional development, positive program engagement, and connection to resources. They will also lead outreach to families, parents, and caregivers. The Youth Program Specialist will also be expected to participate in SEL lessons, support field trips, and other special events.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, education, or a related field required
• Minimum of one year experience with youth required, preferably with English language learners
• Proficiency working with learners from a variety of cultural and linguistic groups is highly desired
• Experience in a public education setting is highly preferred
• Familiarity with refugee and immigrant populations highly preferred
• Experience designing student-centered, thematic-based curricula and developing monitoring and evaluation systems highly desired
• Solid diplomacy, relationship building, and networking skills; ability to effectively manage internal and external relationships, including community stakeholders and donors
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills; ability to work successfully in a cross-cultural environment
• Highly organized, responsible, and flexible; ability to maintain responsibility for multiple tasks in the context of a diverse, fast-paced work environment and maintain composure under pressure
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and Outlook
• The ability to read, write and speak English fluently is required.
• Fluency in one of the languages of the populations served is required (Spanish highly preferred, Ukrainian, Russian, Dari, Pashto, French preferred)
• All hiring is contingent on passing a background checks and submission of an annual physical form.
• If the school is located at a New York City Public School site, additional fingerprinting may be required.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in social work, psychology, education, or a related field (candidate or attained) preferred

Responsibilities

• Outreach to families confirming their attendance, and coordinating the distribution and translation of materials
• Assist in enrolling new students into the Academy in compliance with IRC policies and procedures
• Coordinate enrollment of parents and caregivers into Parent ESOL Classes
• Conduct behavioral observations of students in the classroom environment and develop behavior plans for students exhibiting the highest level of need
• Under the supervision of the Dean of Student Support, meet with students to implement individual and group behavioral interventions and strategies
• Collect and compile all data related to Tier II and Tier III services provided as part of the Multi-Tier Systems of Support from Classroom Culture Lead Teachers and the Student Support Team
• Monitor student progress toward goals and adjust support plans accordingly.
• Provide crisis intervention and de-escalation support when urgent behavioral issues arise.
• Coordinate student school enrollment, registration for school breakfast and lunch, student placement testing, immunization, and registration for after-school programs, mentoring, and summer programs
• Provide or secure interpretation services as needed to address issues involving children’s education
• Refer youth and families for community-based services, including mental health counseling, after-school programs, and other beneficial programming
• Plan for and lead Social Emotional Learning and affinity groups with small groups of students
• Maintain comprehensive case notes and regularly update the family’s individual service plan to respond to students’ academic, material, and special case management needs in accordance with standards set by IRC and funding partners
• Supervise and assign tasks to 1-2 supporting interns
• Participate in staff development and team meetings
• Perform other duties as assigned

Benefits

• 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 $163 per month, dental starting at $6.50 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees