Educational Services Specialist - Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest
Phoenix, AZ
About the Job
General Description:
In concert with the Community Integration Manager, this position coordinates interpretation services and implements a comprehensive cultural orientation and adult skill building program for newly-arrived refugees in Phoenix. Deliver and develop programs that assist refugees in better understanding topics as diverse as health, financial management, immigration, transportation, education, employment, law and safety, community resources, navigating public transportation, the role of the resettlement agency and cultural adjustment to aid them in their journey towards self-sufficiency and community integration. The job requires sensitivity to the program population's cultural and socioeconomic characteristics.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
WEIGHT | DESCRIPTION |
35 | Training 1. Coordinate a Cultural Orientation (CO) plan according to the Cooperative Agreement, to ensure that CO plan meets all the CO plan components. Components include a purpose or goal statement for the CO program, training of CO facilitators, interpretation for all CO adult learners, curriculum and training methodology, defined format, measures to ensure inclusion of adult learners, assessment of clients, documentation of CO provision, program evaluation and written materials in appropriate languages to the refugee upon arrival. 2. Make certain that all CO sessions include the fifteen (15) required core topics per National Office Guidance and the Cooperative Agreement : Role of Resettlement Agency, Refugee Status, English, Public Assistance, US Laws, Your New Community, Employment, Health, Budgeting & Personal Finance, Housing, Hygiene, Safety, Cultural Adjustment & Adaptation, Education and Transportation. Track clients' attendance of cultural orientation sessions and document their participation in programs. 3. Liaise with the Employment team in execution of employment-related training which includes the importance of job searches, understanding American workplace expectations, writing resumes, job retention, successful workplace behavior and building interview skills. 4. Design classroom and one-on-one interactions that develop clients' motivation, reliability, and independence. 5. Assess, design, develop, and update training materials such as training schedules agendas, guides, handouts, case studies, role-plays, visual presentations and so forth for use in training workshops. 6. Maintain annual CO training plan detailing course offerings, objectives and evaluation methodologies. 7. Follow up with clients on attendance, progress in classes, and address any special needs that may appear. 8. Maintain attendance sheets and monitor each client's individual progress. 9. Monitor program performance on an ongoing basis. Conduct post-test assessments to measure effectiveness of the Cultural Orientation program and client knowledge of Cultural Orientation material. 10. Assess the training needs of newly-arrived refugees on an on-going basis using surveys, observation, focus groups, and other needs assessment techniques to develop focused, relevant training materials that assist clients in achieving self-sufficiency. 11. Collaborate with Children's Services and Women's Empowerment in respect to childcare, other special programming opportunities and monthly in-kind donation needs requests. |
40 | Children and Family Educational Services 1. Liaise with school districts in consultation with case managers to address any concerns and advocate for refugee students including assisting case managers and clients with MET/IEP process for children with special needs. 2. Working closely with the RSIG team at other agencies to ensure participation of LSS-SW clients in RSIG activities. 3. Coordinate and consult with case managers for school enrollment and head start referrals. 4. Coordinate and supervise extended cultural orientation experiences/programming for refugee children and families. 5. Developing and conducting the training of staff on critical issues involving refugee children and families. 6. Collaborating with the Community Integration Team to network and support professional partnerships with multiple agencies for the clients' benefit including attending meetings, community events, presentations, etc. |
25 | Extra duties as assigned: 1. Collaborate with the ELAA/ESL Instructor of Friendly House Adult Education Program in scheduling and/or hosting testing for LSS SW Refugee and Immigration Services clients arranging testing space when necessary. 2. Maintain an established work schedule, including a high level of self-direction and responsibility. May include State and National travel. 3. Follow internal protocol immediately with regard to safety, health, and the environment of the member and employee workspace and workplace equipment. 4. Maintain current status for professional credentials. 5. Present a professional attitude and wear professional attire at all times. 6. All other duties as assigned. |
Supervisory Responsibilities: N/A
Qualification Requirements:
To perform this job successfully, the individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Bachelor's Degree in education social work, psychology, sociology or a closely related field is preferred. Four years related education or social service experience, preferably working with immigrant populations, and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience may substitute for a Bachelor's Degree.
- Two years supervisory experience
- Provide and maintain a current Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card, clear the Department of Economic Security Central Registry Background Check and a criminal background and motor vehicle screening; must maintain valid AZ Driver's License, a clear driving record and reliable transportation for the duration of employment.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Proficient computer skills and knowledge of Outlook and Microsoft Office Programs (i.e. Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
- Experience delivering, designing, and/or developing training presentations, preferably in a multicultural context.
- Excellent interviewing, perceptual, diagnostic and assessment skills.
- Ability to relate well with individuals of varied lifestyles, backgrounds and ethnicities.
- Experience in cultural diversity.
- Ability to assess individual's strengths and weaknesses.
- Experience in mediation and other interventions.
- Ability to participate as a member of a team, including collaboration, cross-training, and mutual assistance.
- Ability to work independently with high initiative.
- Ability to travel to throughout the state as requested by supervisor
Language Skills:
Ability to communicate clearly. Ability to listen and perceive need. Ability to work with people form diverse backgrounds non-judgmentally. Ability to effectively present and represent LSS-SW and the program's needs to religious and community groups as well as others in the social services community. Fluent in English, both spoken and written; bilingual ability in one of the predominant languages of the local client base is preferred.
Mathematical Skills
Strong ability to calculate figures, and prepare and analyze budgets.
Reasoning Ability:
Ability to define problems, collect data, evaluate information, draw conclusions, and take appropriate action based on this information. Ability and confidence to make decisions and to solicit guidance from Regional Director.
Physical Demands/Work Environment
The physical demands and work environment characteristics here are representative of those that are needed by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be required to sit or stand for long periods. The employee frequently is required to use hands to hold objects and operate office equipment.
- The employee is required to be able to listen and communicate effectively.
- The employee may be required to occasionally lift and/or move +50 lbs.
- The noise level in the work environment varies with the activity level of the facility.
- The employee must be able to orientate and navigate well within the Program's geographic boundaries, be willing to drive to client's home, and conduct home visit tasks in client's home.
All positions at Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest require a background check.