Early Education Navigator

Job Overview:

The Early Education Navigator will deliver initiatives to increase newcomer family’s access to early education and childcare resources. The Early Education Navigator will orient, connect, and engage families with local early education systems, increase access to school information and resources, and lead family outreach and referral initiatives. The Early Education Navigator will conduct family needs assessments, create service plans, and coordinate services for families with 0–5-year-olds. The Early Education Navigator collaborate with community partner, Clarkston Development Foundation (CDF), who will train and advise IRC staff to develop an understanding of local early learning resources, develop relationships with partners and schools, and conduct activities to increase refugee family’s access to childcare, early learning, and parent support programs.

Major Responsibilities:

Program Delivery:

• Delivers early education workshops and activities in alignment with the program design and deliverables
• Conducts outreach to immigrant and refugee families who have lived in the United States for less than five years with a focus on recruiting newly arrived Afghan families
• Provides services to families including, but not limited to, orientations, enrollments, referrals, follow-ups, and informational material
• Connects families to resources, including high quality early care and education programming, and assists with registration
• Assesses family’s needs as it relates to services for 0–5-year-olds, developing a family service plan, coaching families to set and reach goals and advocate for families.
• Connect families with community resources, including early childhood education programs, childcare programs, in-home providers, parenting support, and programs to support children, ages 0-5.
• Maintain a caseload of families and work with Early Education Coordinator and consultant to ensure high quality service delivery.
• Other duties as assigned

Program Documentation

• Maintain program information and data collection systems in compliance with IRC standards and contractual obligations, contribute to strengthening program monitoring
• Properly document and track service delivery and maintain accurate case notes and files.
• Ensure program data is consistently collected and entered in ETO and in accordance with contractual obligations
• Contribute to program reporting for internal and external purposes

Job Requirements:

Education:

• Undergraduate degree in early education, social work or related field preferred

Work Experience:

• At least two years of related professional experience
• Experience working with refugee and/or immigrant children and families required
• Community-based outreach or previous experience working with families desired

Demonstrated Skills & Competencies:

• Fluent in written and spoken English
• Proficiency or fluency in Dari, Pashto, and/or Farsi strongly preferred.
• Excellent cross-cultural understanding and communication skills
• Ability to work independently and high attention to detail
• Knowledge of child and youth development and effective family engagement strategies
• Competency with Microsoft Office, data tracking, and file management
• Valid driver’s license, current insurance, access to a reliable personal vehicle

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 evening and weekend work

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement: In accordance with IRC’s duty to provide and maintain a workplace that is free of known hazards and our commitment to safeguard the health of our employees, clients, and communities, IRC requires new hires to furnish proof of vaccination against COVID-19 in order to be considered for any in-office or hybrid positions. All IRC US offices require full vaccination to attend any in-office functions (e.g., meetings, trainings).

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusivity: IRC is committed to building a diverse organization and a climate of inclusivity. We strongly encourage applications from candidates who can demonstrate that they can contribute to this goal.

Equal Opportunity Employer: We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

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 $120 per month, dental starting at $7 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.