Program Coordinator, Education

• Please submit a copy of your resume and a short cover letter that conveys why you are a great candidate for this specific role.*

OVERVIEW:

The Refugee Foster Care (RFC) program provides culturally and linguistically appropriate child welfare, foster care, and independent living services to unaccompanied youth in the Unaccompanied Refugee Minors (URM) Program. The URM Program serves youth in the U.S. who are refugees, Cuban/Haitian entrants, asylees, victims of human trafficking who have an ORR eligibility letter, U-visa holders, and youth who have received Special Immigrant Juvenile Status. RFC supports youth with housing, education, health, medical, immigration, mental health, independent living services, and with family reunification efforts when possible. RFC uses strength-based, trauma-informed, and culturally relevant models to build and expand on a youth's natural resources.

POSITION SUMMARY:

In this role, you will lead, coordinate, and provide education services for youth in K-12 and Adult School programs throughout the Bay Area. Strong education advocacy skills and a commitment to culturally-appropriate trauma-informed care along with motivating youth will be essential in achieving the program's goals and promoting positive outcomes. This is a unique opportunity to join an inspiring and mission-driven team working with unaccompanied refugee minors in foster care.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead and independently manage the full scope of K-12 education services for clients in the RFC Program.

• Enroll assigned clients in school, spanning grades K-12 and Adult School, GED, HiSET, and ESL programs and provide educational planning in collaboration with academic counselors.

• Manage the program's established tutoring contracts and act as the liaison with tutoring agencies to ensure that clients have access to virtual or in person tutoring for K-12, Adult School, and postsecondary education.

• Serve as the representative education rights holder for minor clients, and as such, advocate during school-based meetings such as the Student Study Team (SST) and Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 Plan meetings.

• Manage K-12 client education records and monitor school attendance, including progress reports, assessment results, and reporting attendance issues to the youth's social worker.

• Meet with school staff, such as academic counselors and teachers, at least once every six months to support client academic progress and outcomes.

• Identify and connect clients and resource parents with appropriate school-based services, such as summer programs and school camps.

• Develop training curriculum and provide trainings for program staff and resource parents related to education law, advocacy, and special education eligibility and services.

• Prepare education information for client administrative reviews and, if needed, attend a portion of the review to discuss education-related issues.

• Record services in AWARDS electronic database and maintain the education section of client files.

• Co-facilitate Independent Living Program (ILP) Classes one Saturday each month in collaboration with the ILP Coordinator and ILP/Education Case Managers.

• Assist with resource family recruitment and training.

• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of a Bachelor's degree in education, social work, human services, or social sciences; Master's degree in education, social work, or similar field preferred.

• At least one (1) year of experience working with immigrants, refugees, or foster youth.

• Prior experience working in a school setting or in educational services preferred.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Multilingual in one or more languages commonly spoken by program clients (Arabic, French, Spanish, Kiswahili, Tigrinya, Oromo, Amharic, Burmese, Hindi, Farsi, Nepali, etc.) preferred.

• Excellent cross-cultural skills, experience, and ability to work well with a diverse population.

• Excellent oral and written English skills.

• Excellent computers skills: MS Office (all apps).

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to work at a desk for extended periods of time.

• Ability to use a computer workstation.

• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs.

• Ability to travel/drive within Santa Clara County.

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS:

• Criminal background check via livescan fingerprint.

• Must have TB test performed and submit results.

• Provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination and booster status.

• Automobile, valid driver's license and auto insurance per agency policy; or have access to reliable transportation.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work will be indoors and outdoors even during times of inclement weather.

• Some work may be spent driving a vehicle on community roads.

• Bay Area and occasional out-of-state travel required.

HOURS AND OTHER CONDITIONS:

• Standard office hours are Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

• This is a full-time, non-exempt position. Hours will be based on client and foster family availability. All program staff may be expected to work at least one Wednesday night per month and at least one Saturday per month.

• The program offers a hybrid (remote and in-person) schedule.

• Please submit a copy of your resume and a short cover letter that conveys why you are a great candidate for this specific role.*

This position description intends to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. It is not intended to include all duties and responsibilities. The order in which duties and responsibilities are listed is not significant. Because of a need to remain responsive to the needs of our clients and our Agency's operations, responsibilities may be modified at any time.

Catholic Charities is a non-profit, non-discriminatory service organization and employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation or disability. Persons receiving services in our programs are entitled to freedom from harassment and retaliation and reasonable accommodation for qualified disabilities.