Health and Wellness Promoter

Job Overview: The IRC in Oakland’s Community Health and Wellness programs ensure that all newly resettled refugees have access to on-going psycho-social support to serve their adjustment needs as well as ensures additional culturally and linguistically sensitive mental health referral support services are available. The Health and Wellness Promoter will be responsible for the implementation of psycho-social programing serving the newcomer population in the Bay Area. The psycho-social programming is funded through Alameda County Behavioral Health Care Services Prevention and Early Intervention (PEI) program. The Health and Wellness Promoter will provide outreach and engagement, education, screening and referral services. The Health and Wellness Promoter will work with the Clinical Advisor and Health and Wellness Coordinator to create personalized wellness plans that include traditional healing practices and cultural aspects, as well as follow up with individuals to prevent escalations in mental health crises.

Major Responsibilities:

· Work with IRC staff to identify, refer and assist clients determined to have a high probability of physical and emotional distress with navigating community resources.

· Facilitate community-based group support activities through Pathways to Wellness curriculum to promote emotional wellbeing and healthy adjustment and provide opportunities for refugee connection and support.

· Coordinate and conduct educational activities including home visits to promote community integration and self-care among refugees and other populations in the Bay Area.

· Conducting emotional distress RHS-15 screenings and provide appropriate referrals to community mental health and/or other service providers.

· Conduct outreach to existing Afghan, refugee, immigrant and asylee community to encourage participation and increase referrals to health and wellness programming.

· Ensuring accurate tracking and data entry of client notes, outreach, workshop attendance and assessments, RH-15 screening into Clinicians gateway and ETO system.

· Ensuring that program services are provided in accordance with quality assurance standards of the IRC, and ACBHCS.

· Working closely with staff to enhance and implement Health and Wellness Program goals.

· Other duties as assigned.

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to: Health and Wellness Coordinator

Other Internal and/or external contacts:

Internal: Health and Wellness Promoter will develop working relationships with internal direct service staff including MG, ICM, AT, and R&P staff, Health and Wellness staff at other IRC sites.

External: Health and Wellness Promoter will develop working relationships with other refugee resettlement agencies, ethnic Community- Based Organizations, Community leaders and other stakeholders.

Job Requirements:

· Associate degree with an emphasis in Social Work, Psychology, sociology or an equivalent field of study.

· 2+ years of relevant work experience acquired through relevant work experiences. A significant portion of this experience would include responsibilities in community-based services, social services, education, capacity building and/or humanitarian relief.

· Understanding of community integration, resettlement and migration trauma.

· Cross-cultural awareness and communication skills.

· Experience with psycho-social programing preferred.

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

· Experience working directly with underserved populations.

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

· Very well organized and excellent reporting skills.

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

· Fluency in written and spoken English; Fluency in additional language relevant to current refugee populations (Farsi, Dari, or Pashto).

Work Environment:

• A combination of standard office environment, remote work, and ‘field’ time within the service delivery area to perform the above outlined responsibilities.

· Travel to field site operation often. Access to reliable and insured transportation required.

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 candidates who are selected for interview to furnish proof of vaccination against COVID-19 in order to be considered for this position.

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.