School Liaison

Scope:

Provides core service of school enrollment for newly arrived children. Provides critical linkage between resettlement agencies, schools, and refugee families to ensure schools’ connection to and support for follow-up with students, their families, and case management. This position reports to the Parent/Student Coordinator.

Responsibilities:

• Preparing, enrolling, and documenting school enrollment for newly arrived students into their local public school within 30 days of arrival. School enrollment for families that moved or have incoming Kindergarten age students.
• Providing orientation sessions for newly arrived students and families to inform them about the American School system and provide other necessary information to advance their success in school and smooth adjustment to the new school environment.
• Facilitating meetings and other communications between school personnel and parents, including school orientation opportunities for parents, parent/teacher meetings, open houses, and assisting with coordinating logistics for interpretation and transportation, as necessary.
• Coordinating team meetings for students with specific adjustment issues and ensuring that appropriate school staff, parents, and other stakeholders work together to provide comprehensive, reinforced support to children.
• Outreach to schools to inform them of refugee resettlement services available to schools, parents, and students. Provide or arrange “Refugee 101” orientations and specific cultural/ethnic orientations, as applicable.
• Working with the Youth Education team on coordination activities for youth – including social outings, workshops on issues such as responsible citizenship, college placement, gangs, bullying, drug abuse, safety, healthy relationships, teen pregnancy, and other activities to encourage youth to speak out about their needs, especially regarding education, and promote responsible and healthy behaviors.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• High School Diploma required; Bachelors degree preferred and two years of experience working with refugees, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience providing direct family support services, mediation skills, and experience with public schools.
• Excellent computer and organizational skills.
• Computer skills, including all Microsoft Office Programs.
• Fluency in written and spoken English, bilingual ability preferred.
• Cultural sensitivity and good cross communication skills.
• Ability to prioritize and manage time effectively.
• Ability to effectively communicate and work as a team member in a cross cultural environment.
• Must have a valid driver’s license; active insurance policy; and access to reliable transportation.

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.