Youth Program Specialist

International Rescue Committee; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 40,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dedicated Youth Services Specialist to support refugee middle school students in navigating the U.S. educational system. This role involves outreach, client management, and community engagement, ensuring students receive tailored academic assistance and cultural orientation. The specialist will work closely with families, providing essential resources and advocacy to foster academic growth and social development. Join a passionate team committed to empowering youth and making a significant impact in the community through meaningful support and guidance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in social work, education, or related field preferred.
• Experience with refugee youth is a plus but not required.

Responsibilities

• Support outreach and enrollment for refugee middle school students.
• Manage a caseload of high-needs clients with mentoring and advocacy.
• Conduct workshops to enhance educational success for families.

Skills

Problem-solving

Communication Skills

Training and Facilitation

Client Advocacy

Cultural Adaptation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Social Work

Experience in Refugee Resettlement

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

This job posting was opened on May 8, 2025. Please note that we will be prioritizing candidates who are current IRC (and recently employed by IRC) staff before other applicants. If necessary, we will extend the opportunity to external candidates.

IRC Background:

As part of Youth Services in the Education and Learning Department, the Refugee School Impact program supports refugee and immigrant students by providing tailored academic assistance, cultural orientation, and community engagement. The program helps students navigate the U.S. educational system through tutoring, mentoring, and individualized support, while also guiding families in understanding school expectations and accessing resources. Additionally, it connects families with essential services and advocates for their needs within the local school system to ensure a successful transition and academic achievement.

Scope of work:

The Refugee School Impact Middle School Program (RSI-MS) is seeking a Youth Services Specialist to support refugee middle school students. This role will act as a primary contact for youth engagement in community-based activities and provide essential support services to foster academic growth, cultural adaptation, positive identity, and social development. The specialist will work in various settings—such as homes, virtual platforms, and community centers—to guide and empower students. Reporting to the Youth Program Coordinator, the specialist will assist with outreach, recruitment, and enrollment, conduct workshops and orientations, manage a caseload of 2-5 high-needs clients, and coordinate community engagement and student advocacy efforts with school systems.

Major Responsibilities:

Outreach and Engagement

• Support Youth Program Coordinator and Youth Intake Specialist with outreach, recruitment, and enrollment.
• Facilitate workshops and orientations for students and parents to enhance educational success.
• Guide newly arrived families in navigating the American public-school system.
• Coordinate and facilitate student advocacy efforts with school systems
• Organize community engagement activities monthly for youth clients.
• Build, expand, and maintain local partnerships in the Dallas community.

Client Management

• Manage a caseload of 2-5 high-needs clients with bi-weekly visits, offering mentoring, advocacy, and academic support.
• Conduct client assessments to establish growth baselines and service plans.
• Foster caregiver involvement in minor clients' education and well-being through case management via RSI services.
• Monitor academic progress, provide emotional support, and connect clients to relevant resources.

Compliance Documentation

• Ensure completion and updates of intake documents, assessments, and service plans.
• Maintain thorough case notes and files, updating plans as needed.
• Maintain and financial documentation of expenses needed to conduct RSI activities and assist the Program Coordinator in reconciling those expenses within a timely manner.
• Engage in program meetings, staff development, and other assigned tasks.
• Collaborate within a team to deliver comprehensive services to clients.
• Adhere to agency policies, prioritizing client confidentiality.
• Participate in RAI Education & Youth networking and learning events, such as the Youth Community of Practice and annual Virtual Summit

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to: Youth Program Coordinator

Other Internal and/or External Contacts: Education and Learning Manager, Youth Program Supervisor, HQ Youth and Education Technical Adviser

Job Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, education, or related field of study is preferred, or related job experience.
• Well organized self-starter with excellent problem-solving skills and the proven ability to prioritize duties and manage time effectively.
• Experience working in refugee resettlement or with refugee youth is a plus but not required.
• Strong written and oral and interpersonal communication skills: the ability to communicate effectively with colleagues and partners in a cross-cultural, multi-disciplinary environment.
• Training and facilitation skills, experience leading workshops with diverse multilingual youth and adults.
• Experience with/knowledge of educational case management best practices.
• Strong understanding of how to navigate the US school system, the rights of immigrant families, and individual advocacy.
• Fluent in English, both spoken and written;Bilingual in a client language (Dari, Pashto, Arabic, Spanish, Swahili) is a plus but not required.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook);
• Valid driver’s license, access to a reliable vehicle with current insurance, and the ability to travel regularly throughout the service delivery area (home visits, service provider visits, etc).
• Professional office environment.
• Regular travel to off-site home visits (including evenings and occasional Weekends)

Compensation: 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.

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.