Youth Outreach Specialist

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 40 countries and 29 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.

This position is represented by the OPEIU union and subject to the terms and conditions of a collective bargaining agreement

This position has an end date of June, 30, 2029. 

IRC Background:

The IRC in Northern California was established in 1975 in response to the needs of the growing refugee population. Over the past 40 years the IRC has resettled nearly 60,000 clients in Northern California. Originally focused on reception and placement, the IRC provides a range of services including economic empowerment, immigration, community gardening, and case management for victims of trafficking. IRC’s Economic Empowerment programming focuses on connecting individuals to employment opportunities in an effort to lead them down the path of self-sufficiency. This is accomplished through a combination of employment services, financial education and coaching, and access to public benefits and income support.

Job Overview:
The Youth Outreach Specialist leads community-based outreach, recruitment, and eligibility intake for the IRC's Out-of-School Youth (OSY) program in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. This position identifies and engages youth ages 16–24 who are not currently enrolled in school and who meet one or more OSY barrier criteria, such as being a school dropout, basic skills deficient, an offender, in foster care or aging out of foster care, homeless or a runaway, pregnant or parenting, an individual with a disability, or otherwise in need of additional assistance to complete an educational program or secure employment. Working closely with local schools, juvenile justice and foster care agencies, community-based organizations, and employers, the Youth Outreach Specialist builds a steady pipeline of eligible referrals as well as determines and documents WIOA eligibility.

Major Responsibilities:

• Conduct sustained, community-based outreach and recruitment to identify eligible out-of-school youth, including canvassing neighborhoods, alternative schools, GED/HSE programs, shelters, foster care and juvenile justice systems, and other settings where OSY are likely to be found in Alameda and Contra Costa counties.

• Build and maintain referral relationships with school districts and alternative education providers, the foster care and juvenile justice systems, homeless service providers and community-based organizations.

• Determine OSY eligibility, collect and verify required documentation (proof of age, residency, income, and barrier-to-employment documentation), and complete eligibility files in accordance with state and local workforce board policy.

• Enter and maintain accurate, timely participant data in the required state case management system and IRC program databases, including eligibility, required services and referral partner.

• Develop and distribute outreach and recruitment materials in accessible, culturally and linguistically appropriate formats for the local youth population.

• Conduct phone outreach, and in-person meetings with youth and families to explain program services, eligibility requirements, and the enrollment process.

• Track outreach activity, referral sources, and enrollment numbers against program recruitment targets and performance goals, and report progress to the Program Supervisor.

• Represent the IRC at community events, resource fairs, school functions, and partner meetings to promote the OSY program and maintain IRC's visibility as a youth service provider.

• Support compliance with state and workforce board regulations, child labor laws, and local workforce development board policies and monitoring requirements.

• Participate in Program team, funder and partner meetings as well as required WIOA/grant trainings.

• Other duties as assigned to support program outreach, eligibility, and enrollment goals.

Key Working Relationships:

• Position Reports to: Workforce Development Supervisor
• Internal Contacts: Economic Empowerment team, IRC Oakland team
• External Contacts: Local Workforce Development Board staff, school districts and alternative education programs, foster care and juvenile justice agencies, homeless service providers, and community-based organizations

Job Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in social work, education, human services, or a related field preferred, or equivalent combination of education and experience; experience with federally and state funded youth programs preferred.
• At least 1–2 years of experience in outreach, recruitment, case management, or youth-serving work; direct experience with WIOA, other workforce development programs, or out-of-school/disconnected youth strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of Out-of-School Youth eligibility criteria or ability to learn program regulations and local workforce board policy quickly.
• Demonstrated ability to build trust and rapport with youth facing barriers and with their families and caregivers as well as external partners.
• Strong attention to detail for eligibility documentation, case file compliance, and data entry into state and program case management systems.
• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills; comfortable with public speaking and representing the IRC at community events.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office; experience with a state workforce case management system (e.g. CalJOBS) a plus.
• Fluency in English required; proficiency in one or more languages spoken by the local client population strongly preferred (e.g. Spanish, Dari).
• Valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and ability to travel locally to conduct outreach, recruitment, and home visits.
• Ability to work some evenings and weekends to accommodate youth and family schedules as well as external events.

Working Environment:

• Combination of office-based work and fieldwork, including regular local travel to conduct outreach and recruitment, and to attend partner and community events. Travel will include mainly Alameda and Contra Costa counties with occasional travel to other counties.

• Standard office equipment is used in a typical office setting.

• Some evening and weekend work might be required.

Compensation: ($26-$27/hour). 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

Professional Standards: All International Rescue Committee workers must adhere to the core values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. Our Standards are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Safeguarding, Conflicts of Interest, Fiscal Integrity, and Reporting Wrongdoing and Protection from Retaliation. IRC is committed to take all necessary preventive measures and create an environment where people feel safe, and to take all necessary actions and corrective measures when harm occurs. IRC builds teams of professionals who promote critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity to deliver the best possible services to our clients.

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Benefits: IRC offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package. Highlights include 10 paid sick leave, 10 U.S. holidays, 20-25 generous paid time off based on role and tenure, medical insurance starting at $163/month, dental starting at $6.50/month, and vision starting at $5/month, flexible spending accounts (healthcare, dependent care, and commuter), a 403(b) retirement savings plan with employer match (immediate vesting) along with a non-elective employer contribution based on age and years of service (3-year vesting), disability and life insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offering confidential counseling and support services for employees and their families.

Equal Opportunity Employer: IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.