NYSA Yoga Facilitator

Background:

The International Rescue Committee is New Jersey’s largest refugee resettlement organization, serving over 2000 refugees and immigrants each year with resettlement, economic empowerment, education and learning and immigration legal services. The IRC in NJ’s youth program started in 2012 and works in collaboration with schools and families to overcome barriers and promote the academic and social success of refugee students. The trauma of being forced from their homes, prolonged separation from loved ones, displacement, language barriers and poor or lapsed education compounds the academic challenges faced by refugee youth. IRC currently works with over 245+ refugee and humanitarian parolee students enrolled in nearly 20 school districts.

Scope of Work:

In July & August 2024, the IRC in New Jersey will host a four-week summer program focusing on English as a Second Language (ESL) enrichment for refugee youth living in northern New Jersey. The Newcomer Youth Summer Academy (NYSA) will serve up to 130 students ages 5 – 20, in ten classes, from at least 10 countries will participate in academic, creative arts, and recreational activities. Field trips will be held once per week. The Activity Facilitators will work closely with Lead Teachers, Teacher Assistants, Peer Mentors, and other RYSA staff to reinforce English language learning and school preparation with refugee youth in a positive and healing classroom environment.

At all grade levels (kindergarten, 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8, 9-12) Activity Facilitators will develop, implement, and supervise activities such as art, music, dance, yoga, etc. The specialty area will be determined based upon the candidate’ area of expertise. Each Activity Facilitator is expected to implement a culturally and age-appropriate activity for a class of approximately 15 students for approximately 30-50 minutes, infusing principles from the IRC Safe Healing and Learning Spaces model. Given the varied English levels and formal education experiences of the student body, the Yoga Activity Facilitator must be flexible and comfortable with using various methods for engaging with English Language Learners (ELLs). Throughout their specialized activity, facilitators will be expected to contribute to the program’s goals of fostering students’ English competence and social-emotional development.

Candidates will be working with a variety of class levels. All applicants must be experienced in their specialty area.

Major Responsibilities:

• Participate in Youth Summer Staff training in late July/early August and all program meetings
• Ensure the activity environment is welcoming, nurturing, and supportive to refugee students
• With input from the Education Specialist and Youth Coordinator, implement a culturally and age-appropriate specialized activity using student centered teaching methodologies for English Language Learners at all school levels.
• Act as a positive role model for students and staff
• Comply with all agency policies and protocols
• Productively incorporate assistant teacher and classroom volunteers into activity instruction
• Facilitate student projects per class throughout the three-week program to be presented to families upon the conclusion of programming during RYSA graduation
• Experience leading activities such as Yoga to youth, experience with a range of ages (K-12) preferred

Job Requirements:

• A minimum of two years facilitating Yoga classes, to youth specifically preferred
• Trauma-informed training in field preferred
• Experience working with diverse ELL students preferred
• Cultural competence and cross-cultural or overseas experience desirable
• Experience working with refugee and/or immigrant populations desirable
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Second language proficiency in relevant language highly desirable (including Spanish, Pashto, Dari, Farsi, Arabic, Swahili)

Working Environment:

• Monday-Thursday, the program will be held on-site at a university contracted space (previously Kean University).
• Option to travel to field trips on Fridays

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.

Gender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances.

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: The IRC offers a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. All US employees are eligible for sick time, a 403b retirement savings plans: up to 4.5% immediately vested matching contribution, plus an 3-7% additional IRC contribution, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support in times of crisis and mental health struggles.

In addition, full-time employees are eligible for 10 US paid holidays, 20-25 paid time off days, disability & life insurance, medical, dental, and vision insurance (employee contribution starting at $135, $7, and $5 per month respectively) and FSA for healthcare, childcare, and commuter costs. Part-time employees are eligible for a proportionate amount of paid time off. These additional benefits apply to employees who work at least 6 months within a 12 month time period.