Community Education Worker (CEW)

The-Immigrant-and-Refugee-Community-Organization; Portland (OR); Hybrid; USD 30,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

The Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO) in Portland, OR seeks a Community Education Worker to support refugee and immigrant families with children aged 0-5. This hybrid role blends home visits with culturally and linguistically appropriate education and resource navigation.

You will work under supervision to promote kindergarten readiness, connect families to services, and prepare multilingual educational materials. A driver’s license and bilingual abilities are required.

Qualifications

• Must possess a valid driver’s license and verification of current auto insurance.
• Bilingual in English and Burmese/Zomi.
• Must pass criminal background check through the Oregon Department of Human Services.
• Obtain Community Health Workers Certification within 6 months of hire.
• 0-2 years’ experience in early childhood education and/or ECE coursework.

Responsibilities

• Conduct home visits with families and provide education for supporting child(ren)’s social, emotional health and awareness.
• Maintain accurate records of interactions, assessments, and progress notes.
• Provide recruitment & engagement support for the parent education workshops, including needed translation during the workshops.
• Assist families with kindergarten enrollment, particularly for those not receiving Refugee & Placement (R&P) services.
• Provide referrals and support in accessing Special Education services.
• Assist families getting access to available social, health and educational resources.
• Work to host and prepare culturally and linguistically specific services for targeted communities with zero to 5 years old children.
• Attend ORCHWA CEW monthly team meetings, quarterly check-ins, and required trainings.
• Complete monthly data and demographic reports for enrolled families.
• Prepare and translate educational materials as needed.
• Facilitate communication between health care, early intervention, school systems and parents/caregivers.

Skills

Bilingual English and Burmese/Zomi

Multilingual communication

Microsoft 365 proficiency

Education

High School or some college coursework

0-2 years in early childhood education

THW certification preferred

Tools

Apricot 360

Job description

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 www.irco.org.

POSITION: Community Education Worker (CEW)

JOB CLASS/GRADE: Specialist 1/ Grade 8

WAGE: Starting at $23.84 per hour based on experience

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

LOCATIONS: IRCO Pacific Islander Asian Family Center (PIAFC), 8040 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland OR 97213,

Hybrid and In-person 1 day a week

FTE; FT/PT; STATUS: ? Oncall/ Casual without Benefits?

NUMBER OF POSITIONS: (1)

PROGRAM(S): Oregon Community Health Workers Association-Community

SECTOR: Early Learning Home Visiting

REQUIREMENTS: Must possess a valid driver’s license, have verification of current auto insurance, and have full use of automobiles during work hours. Bilingual in English and fluent in the following language: Burmese/Zomi. Must pass criminal background check through the Oregon Department of Human Services.

Obtain Community Health Workers Certification within 6 months of hire.

Program Summary

The CEW program project is managed by ORCHWA (Oregon Community Health Workers Association) and is funded by Division of Early Learning & Care and Early Learning Multnomah. Our goal in CEW Early Learning is to support refugee families with children aged 0-5 years in kindergarten readiness/activities, developmental screening, referrals/navigation support to community resources, and parenting education workshops.

Position Summary

Community Education Workers (CEWs) build trusting relationships with families and strengthen connections within diverse communities. Using the Community Health Worker (CHW) model, CEWs provide culturally responsive and linguistically appropriate education, resources, and support to families with young children from prenatal to age five. Working under the supervision of the Program Coordinator and Home Visiting Assistant Manager, CEWs help families access health and social services, support preschool and kindergarten readiness, and provide education to parents and caregivers. The CEW Program aims to improve early education outcomes, increase graduation rates, and reduce educational inequities affecting refugee and immigrant families.

Essential Functions

• Conduct home visits with families and provide education for supporting their child(ren)s’ social, emotional health and awareness.
• Maintain accurate records of interactions, assessments, and progress notes.
• Provide recruitment & engagement support for the parent education workshops, including needed translation during the workshops.
• Assist families with kindergarten enrollment, particularly for those not receiving Refugee & Placement (R&P) services.
• Provide referrals and support in accessing Special Education services.
• Assist families getting access to available social, health and educational resources.
• Work to host and prepare culturally and linguistically specific services that meet the needs of targeted communities and families with zero to 5 years old children. This could include client intakes, referrals to needed resources, offering classes for target populations, monitoring child development, conducting ASQ 3, and home visits.
• Attend ORCHWA CEW monthly team meetings, Quarterly check-ins, and all required collaborative trainings.
• Complete monthly data and demographic reports for enrolled families.
• Prepare and translate educational materials as needed.
• Facilitate communication between the health care system, early intervention, school system, and parents/caregivers including directly advocating for families and their culturally specific needs.
• Attending partner, community and agency meetings as assigned.
• Maintain up-to-date records (on paper and share information technology platform; Apricot 360) and files on all families enrolled in the project.

Secondary Functions

• Proven track record managing multiple, including conflicting, deadlines.
• Consistently maintains a high level of confidentiality.
• Adept at communicating with a variety of personality types across all organizational levels, as well as external partners.
• Flexibility to work variable hours to accommodate client availability.
• Support community outreach and education regarding health and well-being.
• Support early learning events organized by the early learning staff.
• This position works under the guidance of the Director of Early Learning and Assistant Manager of Home Visiting. This position does not supervise any employees. It will, however, be asked on occasion to train, orient, and direct the work of new IRCO employees.

Education & Experience

MINIMUM JOB SPECIFIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• High School or some college coursework, or equivalent professional experience.
• 0-2 years’ experience in early childhood education and/or ECE coursework equivalent
• Must be proficient in the English language and one of the languages listed above
• Oral and written communication skills commensurate with the needs of the position
• Demonstrates multi-lingual or cross-community communication skills with a track record of effective client engagement.
• Self-motivation and the ability to work independently with strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Working knowledge of Microsoft 365 software

Requirements

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Exceptional communication skills within a multilingual, multi-background organization.
• Highly collaborative mindset when working with multi-background staff in a team setting.
• Skilled at utilizing nonstandard procedures and techniques to resolve unusual problems or address management requirements.
• Demonstrated initiative and judgment when completing tasks and responsibilities.
• Maintains a courteous and effective approach when engaging with employees, agency representatives, and the general public.
• Thrives in a demanding work environment by demonstrating a high degree of flexibility, responding effectively to changing priorities, and meeting commitments.

Physical, Mental, & Environmental Requirements

• Hybrid position. Must be on site 1 day minimum per week
• Physical: Position at this level requires some physical effort or manual labor such as lifting, carrying, or constant movement. Positions with regular responsibility for driving are to be placed at least at this level.
• Mental: There is regular variation in tasks, and the job holder must decide which tasks to complete as well as the order in which tasks are completed.
• 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, including temperature change.
• Schedule: The work schedule occasionally fluctuates based on organization or customer needs. This fluctuation may occur with or 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.

Knowledge

Education: ?Some college course work (2)?

Experience: ?1-2 years of experience is required (3)?

Licensure, Certification: Traditional Health Worker (THW)preferred

Additional Language Required: Bilingual in English and a 2nd language preferred to perform the duties of the job and communicate with program participants. Burmese, Zomi, or Karen language skills are preferred.

Computers: All positions at IRCO require use of a computer and experience working with Microsoft Products including but not limited to Microsoft 365, Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint. In addition, this position specifically requires: Apricot 360 (training will be provided)

Skills

Communication: ?Regular communication inside the organization to exchange ideas and gather information (4)?

Creativity: ?Regular need for redesign of a single focus process or procedure is needed (3)?

Effort

Mental: ?There is regular variation in tasks and the job holder must decide which tasks to complete as well as the order in which tasks are completed (3)?

Physical: ?Positions at this level require some physical efforts or manual labor such as lifting, carrying or constant movement. Positions with regular responsibility for driving are to be placed at least at this level (3)?

Responsibility

Impact and Influence: ?Positions at this level have a minimal need or ability to analyze problem 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. (2)?

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 can't take final action without approval (2)?

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. (2)?

Supervision: ?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. (1)?

Working Conditions

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, including, temperature change (2)?

Schedule: ?The work schedule is mostly stable and does not fluctuate without prior notice. (2)?

Required Engagement

Engage fully in DEIB training, recommended professional development, as well as other assigned or required training activities. This engagement can also include participation in optional activities that embrace IRCO values and DEIB initiatives, such as active membership in an affinity group and/or joining a strategic plan workgroup.

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.