Ministry: Newcomers Services – Migration and Refugee Services (MRS)
Primary Office: Alexandria
Hours per Week: 40
Starting Hourly Rate: $24.14
Staff Supervisor: Program Director
Telework Available: Hybrid 1 day after 90 days of training
Position Description
The Youth Support Specialist of the Catholic Charities Diocese of Arlington (CCDA), Migration and Refugee Services Program (MRS), assists refugee students in all applicable geographical areas under the Virginia Refugee Student Achievement Project (VRSAP). The CCDA MRS Youth Support Specialist works closely with the student and family to ensure that students receive needed assistance in all areas of their life, with a focus on academics and social adjustment. The CCDA MRS Youth Support Specialist provides orientation on the U.S. school system to refugee parents and serves as a liaison between parents, children and schools.
Position Responsibilities
- Provide new families with orientation to the school system, provide language-appropriate resources to ensure clear communication.
- Enroll students in school after arrival including testing, school registration appointments, assisting with the completion of school physicals, and immunizations as needed.
- Attend school events, to include first day of school to support student with acclimation to U.S. public school system.
- Organize and facilitate VRSAP activities such as the annual banquet and other student activities.
- Monitor academic progress of students by obtaining teacher progress reports, ESOL levels, attendance reports, guidance counselor evaluations, and grades.
- Match students to existing tutoring resources (volunteers, community centers, school programs) in their neighborhoods.
- Educate school personnel about refugee students and the issues facing them (as well as cultural considerations).
- Maintain regular contact and communication with schools, school clinics, and parents regarding refugee student health concerns.
- Encourage refugee parents to play an active role in their children’s education.
- Conduct collaboration meetings regarding student concerns.
- Maintain refugee student database per grant standard.
- Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications & Skills
- Knowledge of refugee resettlement preferred.
- Must be able to communicate effectively in writing and verbally both internally, and to clients and external agencies.
- Must be able to represent Catholic Charities/MRS at conferences, trainings, and meetings in the community, particularly within the school system.
- Familiarity with area Public Schools.
- Must be a proactive team player and create a cooperative and positive relationship with colleagues, clients, and US Ties.
- Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Office products.
- Commitment to mission, goals, and services of Catholic Charities Diocese or Arlington
Education And Experience
- Associate degree with 3-5 years’ experience required or Bachelor’s degree in social services field preferred.
- Previous experience in a culturally diverse environment, 2 years refugee resettlement preferred.
- Valid US driver’s license with 3 years of licensed driving in the US, good driving record. Willing to drive clients
Physical Demands
While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be regularly required to stand, sit, talk, hear, reach, stoop, kneel, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer, telephone, and keyboard. Specific vision requirements due to computer work and driving a motor vehicle. Light to moderate lifting up to 25 lbs. may be required.
BENEFITS: Vacation, Sick, Paid FML*, 16 paid holidays in 2024, Medical, Dental, Vision, Pension, Employee Assistance Program, Diocesan Tuition ReimbursementK-12. Closed between Christmas and New Years.
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