SFI Youth and Family Advocate

POSITION: SFI Youth and Family 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

NUMBER OF POSITIONS: 1

APPLY AT:

STATUS: FullTime with Benefits

PROGRAM(S): Successful Families Initiative (SFI) IRCO Youth

(Funded until June 30 2025 Contract continuation variable)

SECTOR: School Linked

REQUIREMENTS:

Bilingual in English and Arabic

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
The Successful Families Initiative (SFI) aims to place children of color on a path to selfsufficiency in Multnomah County by increasing academic achievement and school readiness for these populations through systems change efforts and providing culturally specific and responsive services.

Position Summary
The SFI Youth and Family Advocate will work with IRCOs youth staff SUN site coordinators and staff from various schools to engage students and their families in their school environments in a positive and culturally appropriate way. This position is responsible for providing academic support up to 35 schoolaged youth and afterschool academic group activities up to 4 times per week. Academic Advising includes: regular goal setting regarding academics school attendance engaging students in academic programming afterschool regularly communicating with school staff and parents regarding student progress and challenges regular bilingual/bicultural school to home and home to school communication. In addition this position will conduct bimonthly parent communications about student academic and behavioral progress and monthly parent group activities during the school year. This position is expected to use creative and culturally appropriate approaches with students and families when designing and implementing program activities. The SFI Youth and Family Advocate will also build positive relationships with families school staff and IRCO colleagues and work closely with Program Coordinator to meet program goals and objectives.

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
• Design implement and conduct academic student group activities during the school year and summer
• Administer pre and post academic assessments for all program participants
• Collaborate with program coordinator to build culturally relevant curriculum to address identified academic gaps
• Work closely with school administration and staff to identify families in need of support and provide outreach to these families
• Provide individualized support resource development and referral services to families
• Perform client intake and assessment
• Provide schoollinked family support including bilingual/bicultural school to home and home to school communication
• Work collaboratively with IRCO and school staff to engage parents in their school environment in a positive and meaningful way
• Conduct family support activities such as home visits and intensive phone outreach to update parents on their childrens educational progress
• Provide parent educational activities around key school topics including school programs and school policies academic programs learning in the home and problem solving.
• Archive student academic lesson plans/family group and workshop lessons plans
• Plan and chaperone program outings and fieldtrips in accordance with standard procedures
• Maintain accurate and confidential records on each client including intake/assessment information action/service plans hours of service and all contacts and referrals made
• Provide translation and interpretation for families throughout the case process
• Responsible for compiling monthly reports and data collection for contract reporting purposes
• Maintain cooperative external relationships with collaborative agencies volunteer agencies community and general public as authorized
• Participate in staff meetings training committees and volunteer activities to support IRCOs goals
• Work with school staff to provide training and information on culture especially as it relates to youth and family engagement

Secondary Functions

• Attend program departmental and organizational meetings
• Attend mandatory staff trainings

Education & Experience

MINIMUM JOB SPECIFIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Education: 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
• Bilingual in English and Arabic
• Ability to communicate clearly about sensitive information and explain school systems in both English and a second language
• Knowledge of emergency social and human services as well as the information and referral system.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office including Word Excel Access and PowerPoint
• Experience and ability to work in a multicultural environment
• Comfortable working remotely via online teleconferencing platforms like Zoom

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Any combination of education and experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position would qualify. This would typically include:

• Bachelors degree or equivalent in social services or related field or equivalent experience
• Minimum one 1 year supporting student learning individually and ingroup 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
• Ability to communicate clearly about sensitive information and explain school systems in both English and a second language
• Knowledge of emergency social and human services as well as the information and referral system.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office including Word Excel Access and PowerPoint
• Experience and ability to work in a multicultural environment

Physical Mental & Environmental Requirements

• Communication: Some interaction with those inside and outside the organization to exchange factual information
• Creativity: Minimal need for the redesign of 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 but cannot choose to not complete a task
• Physical: Positions at this level require minimal physical effort such as light lifting carrying or movement etc. Physical capability involves use of office or equipment where some agility and hand eye coordination is needed
• 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 usually well protected free from hazards or obstacles. There is little element of personal risk or hazard Job conditions are usually comfortable with only occasional issues temperature change
• 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.