API SYA Asian Pacific Islander SUN Youth Advocate

POSITION: (API SYA) Asian Pacific Islander SUN Youth Advocate

JOB CLASS/GRADE: Specialist 1 / Grade 8

WAGE: Starting at $48600 per year

FLSA; EEO; WC: NonExempt; Professional; 8864

LOCATIONS: Pacific Islander and Asian Family Center 8040 NE Sandy Blvd. Portland OR

97213 typically within PPS Parkrose School and DDS Districts across Multnomah County

FTE; FT/PT; STATUS: 1.0 FTE; FullTime with Benefits; Regular

APPLY AT: www.irco

STATUS: FullTime with Benefits

PROGRAM(S): API SUN Youth Advocacy

(Funded until June 30 2025 Contract continuation variable)

SECTOR: School Linked

REQUIREMENTS:

Bilingual in English and API languages (Nepali preferred but not required)

Experience working with youth under 18

Must pass school background check

Must possess a valid drivers license and verification of current autoinsurance and have full use of automobile during work hours

This job announcement is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed in this job. This is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities duties and skills required.

Program Summary

Asian Pacific Islander SUN Youth Advocacy is a Multnomah County funded program helping youth succeed in school as well as successfully transition from one grade to another. This program not only helps and guides youth with academic and college assistance but also assists with homework summer jobs and basic needs.

Position Summary
The (API SYA) Asian Pacific Islander SUN Youth Advocate will work with IRCO youth teams and other staff SUN site coordinators school staff and external partners to positively engage students at risk of academic failure and dropping out of school and their families in culturally appropriate ways. This position is responsible for providing academic support up to 35 schoolaged youth and afterschool academic group activities up to 4 times per week. Yearround services for students (who will be in the 6th12th grades when entering the program) will include: schoollinked academic advising goal setting school attendance monitoring engagement in extended day programs resource navigation to other IRCO programs and external providers group skill building activities (cultural learning leadership service learning field trips recreation) and academic support activities (in class support homework help tutoring). The (API SYA) Asian Pacific Islander SUN Youth Advocate will also support parents and family members to achieve a better level of communication with the schools by collaborating with both school and IRCO staff to organize quarterly parent engagement activities like school orientations workshops and parent/teacher meetings. Other key duties include data entry report writing maintaining case files attending IRCO & funderled trainings and meetings and recruiting & working with volunteers. All program services will be culturally relevant and informed by the practices of Positive Youth Development Restorative Justice Growth Mindset TraumaInformed Care Whole Family approaches Motivational Interviewing & Assertive Engagement.

Essential Functions

• Engage up to 35 API youth in culturally specific academic advising: developing individualized student plan academic goal setting track student academic progress and attendance followup with students/families/staff as needed and conduct family engagement around student progress/challenges and regular communication with school staff
• Work closely with assigned schools to identify students appropriate for specific youth program and conduct necessary outreach to enroll these students and their families into the program
• Provide culturally specific schoollinked supports to students including program intake/assessment academic advising goal setting developing individual plans of action attendance monitoring and working with school on attendance intervention plans when needed
• Refer students and their families to other school IRCO and community resources when needed
• Maintain accurate and confidential records for all enrolled students including intake/assessment information service plans hours of service contact logs referrals made and client assistance
• Conduct academic support activities including homework help tutoring and in class support as needed
• Enroll students in SUN academic support and enrichment programs at schools
• Conduct cultural enrichment and skill building activities such as cultural dance native literacy leadership service learning college exploration and team building when needed
• Assist with recruitment of volunteer and identification of community partners who may support program participants through mentoring academic and prosocial development
• Collaborate with program staff and other IRCO staff to develop operate or enroll students into summer programs like 9th Grade Counts summer SUN and other summer activities
• Collaborate with staff from school IRCO and community partners to organize experiential learning activities like field trips to support student development
• Work with school and IRCO staff to positively engage parents in school settings through culturally relevant and positive ways
• Conduct family support activities such as home visits and intensive phone outreach to update parents on their childrens educational progress
• Provide parent orientations and other educational activities to inform parents about U.S. school policies and standards academic credit system learning in the home educational opportunities and other relevant topics
• Collaborate with schools IRCO staff and community partners to offer workshops and other activities to parents/families in school settings like family recreation nights play & learn activities culturally appropriate parent/teacher meetings
• Work with schools to provide training and information on Asianbased cultures especially as related to youth development family engagement and educational systems & policies
• Provide schoollinked translation and interpretation for enrolled students and families as needed
• Compile and maintain activity reports and data for contract reporting purposes
• Timely and accurate data entry of service activities into program database system(s) (WellSky and/or ETO)
• Maintain cooperative external relationships with collaborating agencies volunteer agencies community and general public as authorized
• Participate in staff meetings trainings committees and volunteer activities to support IRCOs and programs goal

Secondary Functions

• Knowledge of program implementation practices student behavior management outreach methods and data management practices and requirements within the publicschool settings
• Strong writing skills
• Skill in the use of a personal computer and Microsoft Office or comparable word processing and database software
• Skill in the use of standard office machines and database programs
• Ability to work with multicultural staff in a team setting
• Ability to establish and maintain positive relationships with partner agencies and school staff
• Ability to work under pressure to meet deadlines
• Ability to analyze situations make appropriate decisions and use initiative and judgment in completing tasks and responsibilities
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality
• Ability to effectively communicate with individuals and groups verbally and in writing
• Ability to listen for understanding and communicate effectively across cultures
• Ability to courteously meet and deal effectively with other employees agency representatives funders stakeholders community members and others
• Ability to provide culturally specific services and apply a culturally responsive lens in all settings
• Ability to work outside of regular business hours as needed

Education & Experience

MINIMUM JOB SPECIFIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Associates Degree
• Minimum one 1 year supporting student learning individually and in group settings
• Minimum one 1 year of working within a school or school district and supporting family navigation of school systems and policies preferably within Portland Public David Douglas Parkrose and/or Reynolds School Districts
• Minimum two 2 years working with and relating to families including experience in community and/or parent organizing
• Knowledge and understanding of immigrant and refugee cultures and local populations
• Knowledge of emergency social and human services as well as the information and referral system
• Proficient in Microsoft Office including Word Excel Access and Power Point
• Experience and ability to work in a multicultural environment
• Comfortable working remotely via online teleconferencing platforms like Zoom
• Bilingual in English and API languages (Nepali preferred but not required). Ability to communicate clearly about sensitive information and explain school systems in both English and a second language.

Physical Mental & Environmental Requirements

• Communication: Some interaction with those inside and outside the organization to exchange factual information
• Creativity: Regular need for redesign of a single focus process or procedure is needed
• Mental: There is minimal variation in tasks. The job holder is free to determine in which order tasks are completed however cannot choose to not complete a task
• Physical: Position requires little physical effort such as lifting carrying or constant movement but does allow for movement needed to complete work tasks
• Impact and Influence: Minimal need or ability to analyze problem or concepts or make decisions on the information. Dollar amounts influenced would be considered small. Responsibility for the prudent use of assets does not extend beyond own work responsibilities.
• Work Independence: Positions perform routine work with regular supervision and generally are given instructions or written procedures. Positions occasionally encounter variation and are encouraged to suggest ways to respond but cant take final action without approval.
• Planning: Positions at this level must be able to foresee issues associated with own work and identify future needs for supplies equipment resources which would stall operations or activities.
• Environment: This level has a work environment that is well protected with virtually no hazards or obstacles. There is very little element of personal risk or hazard. Job conditions are stable usually well managed and very comfortable.
• Schedule: The work schedule is mostly stable and does not fluctuate without prior notice.

Supervisory Responsibilities
Positions at this level are not responsible for any supervisory functions or responsibilities but may occasionally be asked to orient and/or train new employees or volunteers.

Required Engagement

Engage fully in recommended professional development as well as other assigned or required training activities. This engagement can also include participation in optional activities that embrace IRCOs mission vision and values based initiatives.

IRCO is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion sex sexual orientation gender identity or expression pregnancy age national origin disability status genetic information protected veteran status or any characteristics protected by law. We will make reasonable accommodations to meet our obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and state disability laws.