Youth Advocacy Specialist

IRC Background: The mission of the International Rescue Committee (IRC) is to help people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover and gain control of their future. Founded in 1933, the IRC has a presence in over 40 countries and 27 offices in the United States; the IRC leads the way from harm to home.

Job Overview: The Youth Advocacy Specialist is responsible for delivering youth services under the Elevate Youth program. The Youth Specialist will work alongside another Youth Specialist and Senior Youth Advocacy Specialist as well as the Youth Leadership Council (YLC), a team of 12 Afghan youth, to inform the community on alcohol, tobacco, and other drug (ATOD) prevention and intervention. The Youth Advocacy Specialist will be responsible for community advocacy activities as detailed below.

Major Responsibilities:

Community Advocacy

• Provide case management and leadership trainings for YLC participants including one-on-one youth services counseling; this includes goal setting, resource mapping, supporting leadership activities, and coaching clients.
• Oversee the four YLC members in the Community Presentations and four YLC members in the Events departments.
• Conduct listening sessions and empower youth to administer surveys to community members, collecting data on substance abuse in the community.
• Provide at least 15 tailored community presentations annually to reduce stigma and increase awareness around substance use and prevention.
• Work in tandem with school districts and other community-based organizations to create opportunities for the YLC to share and recruit additional youth to participate in activities.
• Communicate with the YLC Community Presentation Department to update presentations, ensuring that content is consistently revised to meet the needs of the target population.
• Lead YLC leadership development and activism training retreat.
• Oversee planning and execution of four youth events throughout the year open to all community youth. Support YLC in recruitment of youth attendees and marketing of the events.
• Engage youth on the Youth Leadership Committee (YLC) in all aspects of community advocacy including in-person and digital outreach events, presentation preparation, and the selected of outreach events.
• Document client participation and progress, adhering to grant requirements.
• Track all grant progress including hours covered in leadership trainings per participant, as well as hours per participants in Tech School to ensure all grant outcomes are met or exceeded.
• Track and approve accurate timesheets for YLC department members ensuring accurate spend down of funds and ensuring all work documents and appropriate signatures are collected.
• Organize and execute the annual Social Media Showcase community event showcasing youth’s prevention work and advocating to policy makers.

Other

• Complete administrative responsibilities including tracking time and effort, annual development of professional goals, and the 90 day onboarding plan.
• Other responsibilities as assigned.

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to: Senior Youth Advocacy Specialist

Position directly supervises: Youth Leadership Council members, interns and volunteers

Indirect Reporting: Ashley Crandall, Youth and Education Program Manager

Internal and/or external contacts: Coordinates regularly with Sacramento Workforce Development team and local partners

Job Requirements:

Education:

Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree a plus

Work Experience:

• 1-3 years experience with youth counseling, case management, or coaching strongly preferred.
• 1-3 years experience working in or managing grant funded programs.
• 1-3 years experience in ATOD prevention or intervention.

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

• Multi-cultural experience and demonstrated ability to communicate well with youth of varied backgrounds required
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking and presentation creation
• Proven ability to take initiative, creatively problem solve and lead with versatility in a fast-paced work environment
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite required
• Experience using data and fiscal tracking systems strongly preferred
• Flexible availability necessary

Language Skills: Proficiency in a refugee language such as Dari, Farsi, or Pashto a large asset

*Working Environment:***Standard office environment

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

​

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.

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.