Youth Program Assistant

Background/IRC Summary: The International Rescue Committee responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic well-being, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is at work in over 40 countries and 25 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. Since 1999, the IRC has developed partnerships with New York City public schools, community-based organizations and local colleges and universities to support the positive development of refugee youth and their communities in New York City. The Education and Learning Program provides year-round programming working directly with refugee youth, their parents and families, and their schools.

Job Overview/Summary:

The Youth Program Assistant supports school-aged refugee youth and their families in successfully adjusting and transitioning to school. They assist with program intakes and service planning for IRC’s after school program in Flushing, Queens, and South Brooklyn.

During the school year, the Youth Program Assistant will work closely with the Youth Partnership and Academy Coordinator to support student’s academic and social-emotional progress by assisting with homework, guiding students through ESL lessons, developing and presenting SEL workshops, and assisting with clerical work as needed in a comprehensive after school program.

Additionally, the Youth Program Assistant will play a key role in communication within the after-school program by interpreting and/or translating for students and staff as needed.

This position will consist of 8-12 hours weekly, split between in-person programming and remote administrative/planning work.

Major Responsibilities:

Assistant Position

• Provide one-on-one group homework sessions, ensuring students understand the material and can complete assignments independently.
• Develop and deliver ESL lessons catering to students’ individual needs and levels.
• Assist and guide students during workshop activities, ensuring they remain engaged and understand the material.
• Support instructors and administrators, offering additional assistance as required.
• Handle clerical tasks such as data entry, filing, scheduling, and other administrative duties as assigned.
• Collaborate with program staff and administrators to assess students’ needs and adjust support strategies accordingly.
• Direct contact with families to report on student interactions and to collect administrative documentation.
• Conduct ongoing data collection through surveys to monitor program success.
• Provide interpretation services as needed to address issues involving children’s education.
• Assist program staff in the outreach to parents of youth who are having difficulties in the program. Work with interpreters when necessary and available.
• Collaborate with other IRC staff to facilitate participation in other IRC programming as needed.
• Maintain comprehensive case notes in accordance with standards set by IRC and funding partners.
• Participate in staff development and monthly team meetings.
• Prepare monthly newsletter for families about program events, securing translation for all represented languages
• Continuously update skills and knowledge in general educational trends and refugee resettlement practices.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements:

Education:

• High school diploma required
• Working toward a bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology or education preferred

Work Experience:

• Minimum of one year experience with youth required, preferably with English language learners
• Experience working with learners from a variety of cultural and linguistic groups is highly desired
• Experience in public education setting is highly preferred
• Experience with refugee and/or immigrant populations is highly preferred

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

• Solid diplomacy, relationship building, and networking skills; ability to effectively manage internal and external relationships, including community stakeholders and donors
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills; ability to work successfully in a cross-cultural environment
• Highly organized, responsible, and flexible; ability to maintain responsibility for multiple tasks in the context of a diverse, fast-paced work environment and maintain composure under pressure
• Must be comfortable interacting with individuals from a variety of cultural backgrounds
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and Outlook; ability to use the internet and other resources for research and problem-solving purposes

Language Skills: Ability to read, write and speak English fluently is required. Fluency in one of the languages of populations served is required (Ukrainian, Dari, Pashto highly desired; Russian, Spanish, Arabic desired)

Working Environment***:*** This position is entirely field based and will be housed in a school setting with minor remote tasks assigned as needed.

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.

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.

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.

Professional Standards: The IRC and IRC staff must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way – Global Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti-Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

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 $145 per month, dental starting at $7 per month, and vision starting at $5 per month, FSA for healthcare, childcare, and commuter costs, a 403b retirement savings plans with up to 4.5% immediately vested matching contribution, plus a 3-7% base IRC contribution (3 year vesting), 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.