Family Engagement Specialist

Job Description

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 50 countries and more than 25 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: The vision of the IRC Atlanta Youth Program is that refugee youth will have the skills and resources necessary to succeed in their new academic setting. The Family Engagement Specialist works within the My New School program and will support the enrollment of eligible school-aged refugee youth into local schools. The Family Engagement Specialist supports access to education at all levels, helps families better understand, connect, and engage with local school systems, increases access to school information and resources, and leads family outreach and referral initiatives. The Family Engagement Specialist reports to the School Success Coordinator. They will supervise volunteers and interns, build relationships with partners and schools, and lead activities for families to assist with school success and family access.

Major Responsibilities:

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Education Case Management

• Support the enrollment of all school-aged youth resettled by IRC in Atlanta into local schools, including transporting families in IRC vehicles.

• Conduct school intake interviews, gather school history information, complete family needs assessments, and support with online school enrollment applications.

• Help design and implement weekly expanded School Orientation workshops for newcomer families and youth to support transition into U.S K-12 school.

• Conduct pre- and post-assessments to evaluate caregiver understanding of U.S. school attendance and participation requirements.

• Receive and respond to referrals from IRC’s internal referral system, collaborating with various staff across IRC’s programs.

• Connect with school districts to identify key contacts, facilitate the enrollment process, and gather feedback from school districts to improve IRC’s partnership with school districts

• Utilize interpretation services, conduct family outreach, attend school meetings, and provide systems navigation and support to improve families’ connections with schools and enhance students’ engagement

• Build supportive relationships with refugee youth and families utilizing a trauma informed approach to support students’ academic and long-term goals.

Program Monitoring and Reporting

• Assist with data collection and tracking to meet funder requirements and internal program monitoring and evaluation. Ensure required intake documents are fully completed, and service plans updated as appropriate.

• Complete case notes and maintain case files for all clients served.

• Gather feedback to improve IRC’s partnership with districts and schools.

Program Support

• Meet weekly with IRC School Success Coordinator to discuss assignments, trouble shoot cases, and receive support and feedback.

• Refers complex cases to the School Success Caseworker

• Participate in all program meetings, staff development activities, and fully engage as a member of the IRC team.

• Participate in RAI Education & Youth networking and learning events, such as the Youth Community of Practice and annual Virtual Summit

• Comply with all policies, procedures, and protocols of the agency.

• Other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements:

Education: Bachelor’s degree in education, social work or related field of study preferred.

Work Experience:

• Minimum of two years professional experience in an educational or social services setting, family engagement or youth case management strongly preferred

• Experience working with refugee and/or immigrant populations; cross-cultural or overseas experience.

• Experience working with multi-lingual learners or supporting families of multi-lingual learners.

Demonstrated Skills & Competencies:

• Strong understanding of how to navigate the US school system, the rights of immigrant families, and individual advocacy

• Experience with/knowledge of educational case management best practices

• Training and facilitation skills, experience leading workshops with diverse multilingual youth and adults

• 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 responsibly self-manage time and tasks.

• Ability to maintain responsibility for multiple tasks in the context of a diverse, fast-paced work environment.

• Fluent in predominant language of local client a plus but not required (Dari, Pashto, Arabic, Swahili, Kinyarwanda, Spanish, Burmese etc.).

• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook); ability to use the internet and other digital tools for data entry, research, and to support clients’ digital literacy.

• Valid driver’s license and access to a personal, insured vehicle.

Working Environment:

• A combination of standard office environment, remote work, and ‘field’ time within the Clarkston and Stone Mountain area, including home visits and school visits.

• May require occasional weekend and/or evening work.

Compensation:

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.

US Benefits:

The IRC offers a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. All US employees are eligible for sick time, a 403b retirement savings plans: up to 4.5% immediately vested matching contribution, plus an 3-7% additional IRC contribution, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support in times of crisis and mental health struggles.

In addition, full-time employees are eligible for 10 US paid holidays, 20-25 paid time off days, disability & life insurance, medical, dental, and vision insurance (employee contribution starting at $135, $7, and $5 per month respectively) and FSA for healthcare, childcare, and commuter costs. Part-time employees are eligible for a proportionate amount of paid time off. These additional benefits apply to employees who work at least 6 months within a 12 month time period.

**Standard of Professional Conduct:**The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality.

Commitment to Gender, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion: The IRC is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, respectful, and safe work environment where all persons are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. The IRC expressly prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or bullying of the IRC persons in any work setting. We aim to increase the representation of women, people that are from country and communities we serve, and people who identify as races and ethnicities that are under-represented in global power structures.