Youth Program Specialist

Socket.dev; Charlottesville (VA); On-site; USD 29,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401k with match

Paid time off

Job summary

International Rescue Committee (IRC) in Charlottesville seeks a Youth Program Specialist to implement youth-focused programming and support immigrant youth and families. You will work on VRSAP and MYVA initiatives, connecting schools, families, and community partners to promote academic progress and positive engagement.

The role includes coordinating services with local schools, facilitating access to resources, and mentoring youth while ensuring language and cultural needs are met.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, education, or related field preferred.
• Minimum of 2 years relevant work experience in human services field strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated success working and communicating effectively in a multi-cultural environment.
• Proven ability to contribute both independently and as a key team member.
• Self-starter with excellent problem-solving skills and ability to multi-task, prioritize duties, and manage time effectively.
• Fluent in English, spoken and written; bilingual ability in a language spoken by the local refugee population is desired.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook).
• Valid driver’s license, access to a reliable vehicle with current insurance.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate services to refugee children and their parents in partnership with local school systems with a goal of supporting students so they can achieve educational success.
• Orient newly arrived families to the American public-school system and family law issues to increase interaction between school staff and parents.
• Conduct pre- and post-tests of each family’s understanding of U.S. school attendance requirements.
• Advocate for children in situations of abuse or neglect and refer to partner agencies as appropriate.
• Assist management in advocating for special needs students in identification, testing and provision of special education services.
• Improve school personnel’s understanding of refugee families’ cultural and language needs.
• Support student success by encouraging participation in after-school tutoring and mentoring, college prep, and related activities.
• Identify and enroll high-potential MYVA youth and pair with mentors; monitor progress.
• Develop and implement additional youth programming such as after-school or cultural enrichment activities.

Skills

Fluent English

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Outlook

Driver's license

Self-starter

Multicultural communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in social work, education, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Outlook

Job description

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.

Job Overview

The Youth Program Specialist is responsible for implementing youth-focused programming, providing immigrant youth with tools to successfully adjust and thrive in their new communities. Current programs include the Virginia Refugee School Achievement Project (VRSAP), which facilitates successful academic progress and achievement, social adjustment, and school completion of eligible youth between the ages of 5 and 18 years and the Mentoring Youth in Virginia (MYVA) program, which promotes positive civic and social engagement and supports educational and vocational advancement for eligible youth between the ages of 15 and 24 years. The Youth Program Specialist also assists parents to participate in their children’s school activities and supports schools in identifying resources needed to meet the language and cultural needs of eligible students and families. The Youth Program Specialist develops strong relationships with local school systems, students, their parents, and other relevant stakeholders.

This position has an end date of September, 30, 2026.

Major Responsibilities

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Client Services

• Coordinate services to refugee children and their parents in partnership with local school systems with a goal of supporting students so they can achieve educational success through regular school attendance and participation in school activities.

• Orient newly arrived families to the American public-school system and family law issues with a goal of increasing interaction between school staff and parents as well as parental participation in classroom activities.

• Conduct pre- and post-tests of each family’s understanding of the U.S. school attendance and participation requirements.

• In consultation with management, advocate for children in situations of abuse or neglect and refer to partner agencies as appropriate.

• In consultation with management, work with parents to advocate for special needs students in identification, testing and provision of special education services.

• Improve school personnel’s understanding of refugee families’ cultural and language needs.

• Support student success by encouraging participation in activities such as after-school tutoring and mentoring, programs that encourage high school completion and full participation in school activities, after-school and summer clubs and activities, and college preparation assistance.

• Identify and offer enrollment to high potential youth in the MYVA program, developing a personalized service plan to meet their individual academic, social, and professional goals.

• Match each MYVA participant with a trained adult mentor, and monitor progress of the relationship to ensure that participant needs and goals are met.

• Develop and implement additional youth programming as applicable, such as after-school or cultural enrichment activities.

Compliance Documentation

• Monitor and track students’ progress from one grade level to the next.

• Ensure required intake documents are fully completed and service plan updated as appropriate.

• Ensure timely and accurate compliance to all VRSAP and MYVA reporting requirements, including database management, case noting, and file maintenance.

Team/Office Participation

• Participate in all program meetings, VRSAP and MYVA monthly conference calls, staff development activities, and other duties as assigned.

• Work as part of a team to provide comprehensive strength-based services to IRC clients through coordination of cases and effective communication between team members and departments.

• Comply with all policies, procedures, and protocols of the agency, placing importance on client confidentiality.

Job Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, education, or related field of study is preferred.

• Minimum of 2 years relevant work experience in human services field strongly preferred.

• Demonstrated success working and communicating effectively in a multi-cultural environment.

• Proven ability to contribute both independently and as a key team member.

• Self- starter with excellent problem-solving skills combined with the proven ability to multi-task, prioritize duties, and manage time effectively.

• Fluent in English, both spoken and written; bilingual ability in a language spoken by the local refugee population is desired.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook).

• Valid driver’s license, access to a reliable vehicle with current insurance.

Working Environment

• A combination of standard office environment and ‘field’ time in and around the service delivery area to perform the above outlined responsibilities.

• May require occasional weekend and/or evening work.

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.

Compensation

( $21.00 - $23.750 ). 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”.

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 $143 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.

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.