School Success Caseworker

Job Overview: The vision of the IRC Atlanta Youth Program is that refugee youth will have the skills and resources necessary to succeed in their new academic setting. The School Success Caseworker will increase access to school-based resources and community-based services for newcomer families with special learning and/or medical needs identified in their service plan. The School Success Caseworker supports access to education at all levels, helps families better understand, connect, and engage with local school systems, increases access to school information and resources, and leads family outreach and referral initiatives. The School Success Caseworker reports to the School Success Coordinator. They will supervise volunteers and interns, build relationships with partners and schools, and lead activities for families to assist with school success and family access.

Major Responsibilities:

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Education Case Management

• Receive and respond to referrals from IRC’s internal referral system, collaborating with various staff across IRC’s programs.
• Receive and respond to referrals from school partners for families who need additional assistance connecting to school or navigating instructional changes.
• Support families with children with complex medical and/or special learning in accessing school accommodations including Individualized Education Plans (IEP), therapeutic services (PT/OT/Speech), hospital homebound, 504 Services, Extended Learning Time supports, counseling, and afterschool programs.
• Serve as a point of contact for school staff to help coordinate services for IRC clients.
• Utilize interpretation services, conduct family outreach, attend school meetings, and provide systems navigation and support to improve family’s connection to school and student(s) engagement in school.
• Facilitate referrals to Health and Wellness Department, Extended Case management, and other internal and external referrals to ensure wrap-around services address the complex needs of students.
• Build supportive relationships with refugee youth and families utilizing a trauma informed approach to support student’s academic, and long-term goals.

Program Monitoring and Reporting

• Assist with data collection and tracking to meet funder requirements and internal program monitoring and evaluation. Help complete necessary program reporting documentation.
• Complete case notes and maintain a case record for all clients served.
• Gather feedback to improve IRC’s partnership with districts, schools and enrollment processes.

Program Support

• Support the enrollment of all school-aged youth resettled by IRC in Atlanta into local schools, including transporting families in IRC vehicles.
• Connect with school district staff on how IRC and improve its partnership with the district and schools.
• Meet weekly with IRC School Success Coordinator to discuss work assignment and receive support and feedback on complex cases.
• Participate in all program meetings, staff development activities, and fully engage as a member of the IRC team.
• Comply with all policies, procedures, and protocols of the agency.
• Other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements:

Education: Bachelor’s degree in education, social work or related field of study preferred.

Work Experience:

• Minimum of two years related professional experience working with students and families in an educational or social services setting such as: with family engagement or youth case management.
• Experience working with refugee and/or immigrant populations; cross-cultural or overseas experience.
• Experience working with multi-lingual learners or supporting families of multi-lingual learners.

Demonstrated Skills & Competencies:

• Experience working in local educational and social service systems for youth.
• Strong understanding of accommodations and holistic supports for children/families with complex needs
• Flexible and adaptable – able to quickly problem solve and change plans and activities according to student need or unexpected circumstances.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to work well with people of diverse cultural backgrounds. Strong attention to detail.
• Ability to work well independently and as part of a team. Ability to work remotely and responsibly self-manage time and tasks.
• Ability to maintain responsibility for multiple tasks in the context of a diverse, fast-paced work environment.
• Fluent in predominant language of local client a plus but not required (Dari, Pashto, Arabic, Swahili, Kinyarwanda, etc.).
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook); ability to use the internet and other digital tools for data entry, research, and problem-solving purposes.
• Valid driver’s license and access to a personal, insured vehicle.

Working Environment:

• A combination of standard office environment, remote work, and ‘field’ time within the service delivery area to perform the above outlined responsibilities.
• May require occasional weekend and/or evening work.

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: 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.