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 Seattle 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 Seattle 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 Seattle Youth and Education Program is that youth from refugee and immigrant backgrounds will have the skills and resources necessary to pursue a future of opportunity. The Youth and Education Program works towards this vision by providing educational and enrichment opportunities to help school-aged youth from refugee and immigrant backgrounds catch up on missed education, adjust to their new school, accelerate English language development, and build positive relationships in the school and community. The Youth Program Educator will specifically support the expansion of programs for newcomer students through facilitation of Virtual Reading Programs, both academic year afterschool program (Virtual Ready to Read!) and summer programs (Virtual Summer Reading). Virtual Reading Programs target elementary age students to increase literacy using culturally appropriate texts and social emotional learning. The Youth Program Educator will have the unique opportunity to partner with the Youth and Education team in supporting newcomer youth as they develop the skills, resources, and knowledge to pursue their future goals and dreams.
Major Responsibilities:
- Support IRC’s Youth Program Coordinator in the planning, preparation, and facilitation of the Virtual Ready to Read! Program and the Virtual Summer Reading program.
- Plan and lead large and small group activities and lessons in English literacy, math, art, recreation, and social-emotional learning with K-5 students.
- Provide 1:1 support to students needing more individualized instruction.
- Provide training and technical support to parents/caregivers and students for successful use of digital tools including Canvas, Google Classroom, Zoom, Teams, and the summer reading program platform.
- Follow processes including attendance records, inclusive and trauma-informed classroom management, distribution and collection of learning materials, and health and sanitation procedures.
- Partnership Engagement: attend in person events at local libraries or schools.
- Track students’ attendance, needs, reading time and progress.
- Conduct parent/caregiver follow up calls to obtain feedback and keep families engaged in the child’s education.
- Create safe and healing learning spaces and build supportive relationships with newcomer students utilizing a trauma informed approach to support students’ academic and social and emotional development.
- Support program monitoring and evaluation by ensuring student demographic and attendance data is recorded and conducting family feedback calls at the conclusion of the program to receive input and feedback.
- Participate in program meetings, staff development activities, and fully engage as a member of the IRC 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, Individualized Learning Programs
Indirect Reporting: Sr. Youth and Education Program Manager
Position directly supervises: Interns, volunteers
Other Internal and/or external contacts:
Internal**:** Youth Program Specialists, Youth Program Team, AmeriCorps Members, other IRC Seattle staff
External**:** Teachers at partner school districts, Contacts at partner organizations
Job Requirements:
- High School diploma, GED, or equivalent.
- Undergrad degree related to Education or related field preferred.
- Experience working with elementary-age students; classroom teaching experience or experience in tutoring or academic enrichment programs (i.e. summer or day camps, youth groups, after school programs, sports/recreation programs or clubs).
- Virtual teaching experience preferred.
- Experience working with multilingual students.
- Written and spoken proficiency in English, and professional proficiency in relevant languages highly desired (Ukrainian, Dari, Pashto, Arabic, Somali, Swahili, Kinyarwanda, etc.).
- Experience working with communities from refugee and/or immigrant backgrounds.
- Strong intercultural communication skills: demonstrated ability to work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds and across language diversity.
- Ability to maintain quality case notes and documentation in an accurate and timely manner.
- Experience and proficiency utilizing online platforms such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint.)
- Demonstrated experience with trauma-informed, person-centered approach.
- Committed to anti-racism and ongoing learning and growth in diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- Flexible and adaptable to changing program and student needs.
- Team player willing to provide support to other staff and students.
Working Environment***: ***
- 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 from remote office or ability to work from IRC’s office in SeaTac.
- Need access to reliable transportation to travel and work off-site for participant related activities (i.e. schools, apartment complexes, community center etc.).
- Typical schedule will be Monday – Friday roughly 10:00 – 6:00 or may shift slightly based on participant schedules.
- 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.