Youth and Family Advocate

The Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO) is a non-profit organization established in 1976 to serve immigrants refugees and the broader community in Portland Oregon. Our mission is to welcome serve and empower refugees immigrants and people across cultures and generations to reach their full potential. Find out more at .

POSITION: Youth and Family Advocate

JOB CLASS/GRADE: Specialist 1 / Grade 8

WAGE: $23.37 per hour

FLSA; EEO; WC: Non-Exempt; Professional; 8864

LOCATIONS: IRCO Cultural Centers & various school locations within Multnomah Clackamas

and Washington Counties

FTE; FT/PT; STATUS: On call/Casual / Up to 18 hours/week

NUMBER OF POSITIONS: (1)

APPLY AT:

STATUS: Oncall/ Casual without Benefits

PROGRAM(S): Oregon Refugee Children Assistance & Support (ORCAS)

SECTOR: School Linked

REQUIREMENTS:

Bilingual in English and an ORCAS language used by participants like Rohingya Dari

Must pass school background check

Must possess a valid drivers license and verification of current auto-insurance 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 purpose of the Oregon Refugee Children Assistance & Support program (ORCAS) is to provide services to refugee school age eligible enrollees (been in the country less than 60 months) to strengthen their academic performance and facilitate social adjustment; assist their parents in understanding US school requirements and assist the schools impacted by high number of arrival of refugee children. Advocates will provide focused assistance to schools highly impacted by the arrival of refugee children; and to provide school orientation to newly arrived school age refugee children and to their parents for up to one year after arrival.

Position Summary
The Youth and Family Advocates provide in-school support during the school day and conduct afterschool/out of school time activities for enrolled ORCAS students like mentoring homework help skill building groups college/career exploration and social and emotional learning. Resource navigation for students and their families will also be provided so that students and their families can better access available school and community resources.

Youth and Family Advocates work closely with internal and external partners (e.g. Youth Division staff SUN site managers school staff staff from other CBOs) to implement community-aware best practices to create a welcoming environment and a stronger sense of belonging for ORCAS students and their families in school settings.

During the school year Youth and Family Advocates provide in-school support academic advising check-ins and consultations with school staff during the school day and conduct afterschool activities comprising academic support mentoring college/career exploration and other skill building activities. Other out-of-school time duties including summer activities as well as caregiver engagement or family engagement activities will also be assigned to Advocates. This position works under the direct supervision of the ORCAS Program Coordinator and School Linked Youth Managers.

Youth and Family Advocates are expected to use creative community-aware and appropriate approaches when designing and implementing program activities for students and families. Academic advising and meaningful engagement with students include collaborating with students school staff and their caregivers to participate in regular goal setting to support academics and school attendance. Advocates will lead afterschool/out-of-school time student groups and summer enrichment activities. Advocates will support caregivers and school staff to troubleshoot issues concerning students on caseload that may hinder their school success. Advocates will conduct bi-monthly parent engagement activities including communication about student academic and attendance/behavioral progress and conduct quarterly parent group activities during the school year.

Youth and Family Advocates will provide schools with information about best practices to support these specific youth and families in outreach and engagement using a variety of responsive and appropriate skills. As time permits they may assist in a limited manner with translation and interpretation.

Essential Functions

• Enroll up to 20 ORCAs school aged youth onto caseload to provide academic support & advising individualized planning with students including goal setting and tracking of academic progress & school attendance
• Regular follow-ups with school staff to track progress of students on caseload
• Design implement and conduct afterschool/out-of-school time group activities for students during the school year and during summer
• Collaborate with Program Lead and other Youth staff to build relevant curriculum to address identified academic gaps of enrolled students
• Work closely with school administration and staff to collect referrals and identify students/families in need of support and outreach to these families to enroll them into program services
• Provide individualized support and resource navigation for families on caseload
• Perform participant intake and assessment
• Work collaboratively with school staff community partners and IRCO colleagues to engage parents in their school environment in a positive and meaningful way
• Conduct family support activities such as home visits phone outreach and meeting at school or other locations to update parents on their childrens educational progress
• Provide parent educational activities to inform parents about key school topics like available school programs and school policies using ParentVue or other tools to monitor their students progress postsecondary programs learning in the home and problem solving
• Organize file and/or archive participant progress notes and records (e.g. student academic lesson plans/family workshop lessons plans participant contact hours) using funder and IRCO data systems like SharePoint CRM and other methods employed by the program
• Plan and chaperone program outings and fieldtrips in accordance with procedures and guidelines in place to facilitate such activities
• Maintain accurate and confidential records on each participant 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 as needed
• Responsible for compiling monthly reports and data entry for contract reporting purposes
• Responsible for completing timesheets and other paperwork (e.g. expense reimbursements mileage reimbursement training log) in an accurate and timely manner
• Maintain cooperative external relationships with collaborative agencies volunteer agencies community and public as authorized
• Participate in staff meetings school meetings trainings work committees and other activities as assigned to support IRCO and Program goals
• Work with school staff to provide training and information especially as it relates to youth and family engagement
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality
• Ability to work flexible hours to meet the availability of participants
• Conduct home visits transport clients to appointments and provide support at work sites as needed.

Secondary Functions

• Ability to meet multiple including conflicting deadlines
• Ability to deal with distressed and demanding participants school staff program partners or work colleagues in an effective manner
• Ability to communicate with a variety of personality types and levels of the organization as well as with people outside of the organization

Education & Experience

MINIMUM JOB SPECIFIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Some college coursework in education or social services or equivalent combination of training and experience
• Minimum 1 year working within a school or school district providing academic support emergent English-speaking immigrant/refugee students in 1:1 or in group settings
• Minimum 1 year working with families to support resource navigation work and understanding U.S. school systems
• Experience serving immigrant/refugee students and their families in academic support programs
• Bilingual in English and a language commonly used by the programs participant base like Rohingya Dari.
• Experience working with school aged youth under 19
• Ability to communicate clearly about sensitive information and explain school systems in both English and a second language spoken by program participants
• Understanding of US school systems and standard school expectations regarding attendance classroom management family engagement and safety
• Knowledge of emergency social and human services and referral systems to access such services
• Proficient in Microsoft Office 365 including Word Excel Outlook Teams and PowerPoint
• Work is performed in person at schools or other assigned work locations like Pacific Islander & Asian Family Center.
• This is not a remote or hybrid work position
• Able to pass a comprehensive background check
• Must possess a valid drivers license and verification of current auto-insurance and have full use of automobile during work hours

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Associates degree or equivalent in social services or related field
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of Assertive Engagement and applying Trauma Informed Care in case management work for children and youth in school settings
• Experience creating lesson plans or curriculum for youth afterschool/out-of-school time groups that promote Positive Youth Development
• Strong communication skills in a multilingual multi-background organization
• Strong ability to work with multi-background staff in a team setting
• Experience tracking program spending through expense logs for program activities like afterschool group activities field trips client assistance
• Ability to use initiative and judgment in completing tasks and responsibilities
• Ability to courteously meet and deal effectively with school staff program participants other employees agency representatives vendors contractors the public and others
• Ability to function in a positive manner in a demanding work environment to demonstrate a high degree of flexibility to respond to priorities and schedules that change frequently and to meet commitments
• Experience organizing and chaperoning field trips and other enrichment activities with youth
• Experience operating a 14-passenger van a plus

Physical Mental & Environmental Requirements

• Work is performed in person at schools or other assigned IRCO locations. Not a remote or hybrid work position
• Communication: Regular communication inside and outside the organization to exchange ideas and gather 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: 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: Positions at this level have a minimal need or ability to analyze problems or concepts or make decisions on the information. Positions at this level have minimal impact and influence on organization operations programs expense or budgetary outcomes.
• 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 their 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.

How To Apply

1. Complete the IRCO application in our Careers Portal: IRCO Application for Employment.
2. Upload your resume and cover letter addressing your qualifications for this position IRCO Careers.
3. For questions about this position please email

Please note that physical applications are accessible from IRCOs main office 10301 NE Glisan Portland OR 97220. Due to the high volume of applications received we will not be able to contact applicants or return calls regarding applications. Complete applications should include a cover letter resume and IRCO application.

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.