Individualized Learning Program Specialist

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 Program is that youth from refugee and immigrant backgrounds will have the skills and resources necessary to pursue a future of opportunity. The Youth 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 COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent remote and hybrid learning has greatly impacted student learning, and disproportionately for newcomer, multilingual students. The Youth Program Specialist will work with the Individualized Learning Team to provide programming that fits students’ needs including individualized one-one sessions as needed. Specialist will implement Virtual Group Programing for High School students, working with volunteers to provide small group instruction on a virtual platform.  Specialist will also facilitate virtual Reading and Literacy Program (Ready to Read!) for elementary students during the school year, working with the Elementary Programs Team to develop curriculum and lesson plans. Over the summer the Specialist will lead and design the Virtual Summer Reading Program, an online group class targeted to elementary age students to increase literacy using culturally appropriate texts and social emotional learning. As the Youth Program Specialist, you will have the unique opportunity to partner with newcomer youth as they develop the skills, resources, and knowledge to pursue their future goals and dreams.  This is a regular full-time position that can be done remotely. If donor requests, the position may require moving to in-person in the future.

Major Responsibilities:

Virtual Group Programs

• Conduct family outreach and enroll students in the after-school tutoring hour, virtual Read to Read, and virtual summer reading program.
•  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.
•  Facilitate Virtual Reading programs both during the school year and summer utilizing IRC’s reading programs books and activities.
•  Facilitate Virtual Tutoring Hours for high school students, working with volunteers to provide individualized and small group instruction in English, Math, Reading, Writing, and other topics as needed by students.
•  Work in tandem with the Youth Program Coordinator to track donations and distributions in Integra for all Individualized Learning programs.
•  Partnership Engagement: attend in person events at local libraries, co-facilitate arrangements of space and guest speakers for reading programs with the Sr. Individualized Learning Program Coordinator.
•  Track students’ attendance, needs, reading time and progress. Work with parents or teachers if more support is needed outside of the program.
•  Create reports of student attendance and student’s reading logs and 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.

Volunteer Management:

• Coordinate with Sr. Individualized Learning Program Coordinator for outreach, recruitment, and onboarding of new volunteers for Virtual Group Programs.
•  Manage the active volunteer roster and volunteer placements, including training tracking and exit procedures.
•  Train new volunteers on procedures and expectations for Virtual Group Programs.

Individualized Learning Program

• Directly assist newcomer families with enrollment in IRC's Individualized Learning Program.
• Provide academic support to newcomer students through IRC's after-school individualized tutoring programs, virtual group sessions, and summer learning programs.
• Provide ongoing systems navigation for newcomer families including following up with families after school enrollment and receiving referrals from IRC staff and school districts for families having challenges effectively connecting with school.
• Help facilitate volunteer tutor training and ongoing observations, support, and feedback to IRC's volunteer tutor program.
• Conduct regular family outreach and feedback calls to ensure individualized and group tutoring is high quality, meeting the needs of students and families, and in alignment with IRC's tutoring guidelines.
• Work with Sr. Individualized Learning Program Coordinator to streamline volunteer processes for upcoming school year.

Other Duties

• 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, including COVID Health and Safety guidelines for in-person instruction.
•  Other related duties as assigned.