Youth Program Assistant

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.

The Youth Program Assistant supports school-aged refugee youth and their families in a successful adjustment and transition to school. They assist with program intakes, service planning and program services for IRC’s after-school programs. 

During the school year, the Youth Program Assistant will work closely with the Youth Program Coordinator to support students' academic and social emotional progress by assisting with homework, supporting lead teachers with small group instruction and behavior management in classes like theater, STEM, music, art, sports, and other extracurriculars, assisting with the development of parent workshops, and assisting with clerical work as needed in a comprehensive after school program.  

Additionally, the Youth Program Assistant will play a key role in communication within the after-school program by interpreting and/or translating for students and staff as needed as communicating with families as needed. 

This position will consist of a total of 20 hours weekly, split between in-person programming and remote administrative/planning work. 

Major Responsibilities:

Assistant Position:
•    Provide one-on-one and group homework sessions, ensuring students understand the material and can complete assignments on their own.
•    Assist and guide students during workshop activities, ensuring they remain engaged and understand the material.
•    Support instructors and administrators, offering additional assistance as required.
•    Support with setup and cleanup of program materials daily
•    Handle clerical tasks such as data entry, filing, scheduling, and other administrative duties as assigned.
•    Collaborate with program staff and administrators to assess students’ needs and adjust support strategies accordingly.
•    Conduct outreach to eligible communities to recruit students to participate in programming. 
•    Direct contact with families via phone, texting, and Whatsapp to report on student interactions and to collect administrative documentation.
•    Conduct ongoing data collection through surveys to monitor program success.
•    Provide interpretation services as needed to address issues involving children’s education.
•    Assist program staff in the outreach to parents of youth who are having difficulties in the program.  Work with interpreters when necessary and available.
•    Collaborate with other IRC staff to facilitate participation in other IRC programming as needed.
•    Maintain comprehensive case notes in accordance with standards set by IRC and funding partners.
•    Participate in staff development and monthly team meetings.
•    Prepare monthly newsletter for families about program events, securing translation for all represented languages
•    Continuously update skills and knowledge in both general educational trends and refugee resettlement practices.

•    Perform other duties as assigned.

Key Working Relationships: 
Position Reports to:  Youth Program Coordinator
Position directly supervises: N/A
Other Internal and/or external contacts: 
Internal: other Youth Program staff
External:  New York City Department of Education and other partners

Job Requirements: 

Education: 
•    High school diploma required
•    Working toward a bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology or education preferred

Work Experience:
•    Minimum of one year experience with youth required, preferably with English language learners
•    Experience working with learners from a variety of cultural and linguistic groups highly desired
•    Experience in public education setting highly preferred
•    Experience with refugee and/or immigrant populations highly preferred

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:
•    Solid diplomacy, relationship building and networking skills; ability to effectively manage internal and external relationships, including community stakeholders and donors
•    Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills; ability to work successfully in cross-cultural environment, especially with school-aged children and their families
•    Highly organized, responsible and flexible; ability to maintain responsibility for multiple tasks in the context of a diverse, fast-paced work environment and maintain composure under pressure
•    Must be comfortable interacting with individuals from a variety of cultural backgrounds
•    Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, Outlook; ability to use the internet and other resources for research and problem-solving purposes

Language Skills: Ability to read, write and speak English fluently is required. Fluency in one of the languages of populations served is required (Ukrainian,Russian, Haitian Creole, Spanish, French highly desired)

•    All hiring is contingent on passing background checks and submission of an annual physical form.
o    If the school is located at a New York City Public School site, additional fingerprinting may be required.

Working Environment:  This position is largely field based and will be housed in a community gathering space like a school, theater or library with remote tasks assigned as needed.

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

Compensation: (Pay Range: $22.50 - $23.00) Posted pay ranges apply to US-based candidates. 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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US Benefits: We offer a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. In the US, these include: 10 sick days, 10 US holidays, 20-25 paid time off days depending on role and tenure, medical insurance starting at $163 per month, dental starting at $6.50 per month, and vision starting at $5 per month, FSA for healthcare and commuter costs, a 403b retirement savings plans with immediately vested matching, disability & life insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support counseling and care in times of crisis and mental health struggles.

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.