Senior Youth Program Specialist

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. IRC opened an office in the greater Seattle area in 1976 and provides a continuum of services including intensive case management, employment and economic empowerment services, immigration assistance, health and wellness programming, and education support to refugee and immigrant families in Washington State. IRC Washington is committed to providing trauma-informed, equitable, and accessible services and maintaining and evolving a diverse, inclusive, and supportive workplace.

Job Overview: The vision of the IRC Washington’s Youth Programs is that youth from refugee and immigrant backgrounds will have the skills and resources necessary to achieve academic success and pursue a future of opportunity. The Youth Program Team works towards this vision by providing educational and enrichment opportunities to help school-aged and young adult youth from refugee and immigrant backgrounds catch up on their education, accelerate English proficiency, plan and prepare for post-secondary education and career, and build positive relationships in the school and community. The Senior Youth Program Specialist for middle school programs is a lead curriculum developer and program facilitator for IRC Washington’s in person programs for middle school students. This includes designing and facilitating programs that IRC Youth Futures and IRC Social Emotional Asset Development, literacy, English language acquisition, math skills, college and career readiness, and social/emotional asset development for newcomer youth and families.

Major Responsibilities:

Program Design, Outreach and Implementation

Youth Futures Academic and SEL programs for middle school youth: Lead the design and implementation of IRC Washington’s middle school programs including planning, curriculum development (targeting academic growth in ELL, Math, and Social emotional learning), lead facilitation, outreach and enrollment.

Serve as lead curriculum developer focusing on culturally-appropriate and level-appropriate middle school curriculum for IRC Youth Futures Sessions and serving in a Curriculum Mentor role to New Youth Program Specialist supporting Middle School Programs.

• Build and document knowledge of strategies that best support participants in the the push- in models
• Work with team to strategize around district wide “kick-off” events, modified for individual program needs. Support the logistics and create program materials for events to promote awareness of IRC as a resource, build relationships, and promote upcoming programs and/or conduct registrations and verifications

Data Tracking- Strategize around effective registration and documentation strategies. Manage data tracking for program participants from outreach, to registration, to verification and reporting.

Youth Voice -Proactively strategize around creating touchpoints to strengthen youth voice before during and after programs as well as data collecting for Youth and Education Department Priorities around IRC’s SAP 100 and Anti-racist Education. Create internal structured timelines for accountability

Resource Development

• Build database for resources and identified needs for Middle School Participants as related to SEAD, IRC Youth Futures and more; Present and facilitate trainings of best practices, experiences, and  upcoming opportunities
• Maintain ongoing knowledge of level and grade appropriate math content and 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.
• 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

• Support in ongoing onboardings and trainings internally and externally
• Participate in all program meetings, staff development activities, and fully engage as a member of the department and the IRC WA Team
• Comply with all policies, procedures, and protocols of the agency.
• Other related duties as assigned.

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to: Youth 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: School Districts (Teachers, Admin, etc.), Colleges and Universities, Community Based Organizations, families

Qualifications

• 3+ 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.
• 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
• Committed to anti-racism and continual learning and growth.
• Experience working with multi-lingual students; TESOL certificate a plus.
• Independent work ethic to work remotely and facilitate programs virtually as needed.
• Flexible and adaptable; able to quickly problem solve and change plans and activities according to student need or unexpected circumstances.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills. Ability to work well with people of diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Ability to work well independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to maintain responsibility for multiple tasks in the context of a diverse, fast-paced work environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Zoom, or willingness to learn.
• 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.

Working Environment:

• Hybrid: In-person programming at schools and other community locations in South King County with flexibility to shift to virtual /remote work.
• 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.).

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.