Youth School Success Specialist At International Rescue Committee

Background/IRC Summary: The International Rescue Committee responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic well-being, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is at work in over 40 countries and 25 U.S. cities, helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. Since 1999, the IRC has developed partnerships with New York City public schools, community-based organizations, and local colleges and universities to support the positive development of refugee youth and their communities in New York City. The Education and Learning Program provides year-round programming working directly with refugee youth, their parents and families, and their schools.

Job Overview/Summary:

The Youth School Success Specialist supports school-aged refugee youth and their families in successful adjustment and transitions to school. They assist with program intakes and service planning for youth programs, including School Success Coaching, mini-academies, and Newcomer Youth Summer Academy (NYSA).

The Youth School Success Specialist works closely with colleagues to support a caseload of students ages 5-21 each school year to help them in their adjustment to school via school enrollment, advocacy, supportive counseling, and crisis intervention. The specialist may also support the implementation of social-emotional group learning and family orientations to the NYC school system for parents and caregivers.

The Youth School Success Specialist will play a vital role in the implementation of the Newcomer Youth Summer Academy and the mini-academies for newcomers. They will be part of the student support team, promoting student social-emotional development and connection to resources. They will also lead outreach to families, parents, and caregivers. The Youth School Success Specialist will also be expected to participate in SEL lessons, support field trips, and other special events.

Major Responsibilities:

Coordinate student school enrollment, registration for school breakfast and lunch, student placement testing, immunization, and registration for after-school programs, mentoring, and summer programs
Implement initial assessment for each youth to determine strengths and areas of growth and establish an individual service plan for the academic year with newly arrived refugee and immigrant youth and their family
Perform final assessment for each youth to calculate progress made towards goals and evaluate a coaching plan for the following year.
Promote parents’ and/or guardians’ engagement by accompanying families to Parent/Teacher conferences, creating weekly communications, and facilitating in-person meetings
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
In conjunction with colleagues, lead Social Emotional Learning 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
Participate in staff development and team meetings
Administer outreach to families confirming their attendance, and coordinating the distribution and translation of materials
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 Youth Social Work Coordinator, meet with students for individual guidance/counseling sessions
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
Prepare weekly newsletter for families about Academy events, securing translation for all represented languages
Cooperate in enrolling parents and caregivers into Parent ESOL Classes
Assist in enrolling new students into the Academy in compliance with IRC policies and procedures
Perform other duties as assigned

Job Requirements:

**Education: Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, education, or a related field strongly preferred.

**Work Experience:

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

**Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

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

**Language Skills: The ability to read, write and speak English fluently is required. Fluency in one of the languages of the populations served is highly desired (Ukrainian, Russian, Spanish, Dari, Pashto, French)

***Working Environment:***Standard office work environment. Some fieldwork is required (10% of the time), including outreach and communication with local schools and networking opportunities with 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 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.