Parent Educator/Early Learning Advocate

IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION (IRCO)

JOB OPENING ANNOUNCEMENT

POSITION: Parent Educator/Early Learning Advocate

WAGE: $32,000- $35,000 per year

LOCATION: 10301 NE Glisan, Portland, OR 97220 & Various

Reynolds School District Sites

APPLY AT: www.irco.org

STATUS: Full-Time with Benefits

PROGRAM(S): African Immigrant PCDS & Promise Neighborhoods

Initiative (PNI)

OPENING DATE: November 1, 2019

CLOSING DATE: Open until filled

LANGUAGE: English required, Fluent in Somali or Swahili preferred

DRIVING: Required, must possess a valid driver's license

and verification of current auto insurance,

and have full use of automobile during work hours

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY: Provide parent education and developmental screenings to families with children 5 years and under. Contact communities regarding PCDS & PNI program. Contact families to explain the programs, goals and services. Coordinate services and activities to meet the special needs of African families through personal home visits, parent group meetings, developmental screenings, and referral services to health and dental care and other support services. IRCO is excited to join in partnership with other local community-based nonprofits in the new Albina-Rockwood Promise Neighborhoods Initiative. The vision of this new program is that all children and youth growing up in Promise Neighborhoods have access to great schools and strong systems of family and community support that will prepare them to attain an excellent education and successfully transition to college and a career.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Contact families from the referrals received from the program supervisor regarding the goals and services offered by the PCDS program

• Provide home visits, one-on-one parenting skills training, small parent/child groups and staffing for parent/child interaction groups

•Provide referrals to community services such as health and dental clinics, Early Intervention, WIC, nutrition services, LIEAP, childcare and other services as needed

• Provide interpretation as needed for parents to help better access to service providers such as hospitals, clinics and social service programs

• Provide role modeling to parents on how to make appointments, to advocate for the needs of themselves and their children, and to become self-sufficient in accessing services

• Translate training materials and brochures/flyers as necessary

• Maintain accurate and confidential records on each client

• Provide follow-up counseling, referral, and support as needed for clients and their families

• Coordinate activities and services with IRCO staff

• Provide monthly service reports to supervisor

• Complete all required trainings according to Multnomah County, DCHS SUN Service System policy and procedures

• Report any suspected child abuse or neglect to supervisor and make a report to child welfare

QUALIFICATIONS: Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be through the following:

• Bachelor's degree or AA, in Social Work or Early Childhood Education or related field

• Knowledge of parenting education and assessment, infant and child development, nutrition, preventive health care, and home visit techniques

• Experience in working with or providing services to children, and families

• Experience in parent engagement

• Must have excellent writing skills and basic computer knowledge

• Must be highly organized and self-motivated with effective time management skills

• Willingness to work flexible hours; including some evenings and weekends

• Must be able to pass to a criminal background and finger printing check

REQUIRED FUNCTIONS, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to function in a positive manner in a demanding work environment, to demonstrate a high degree of flexibility, to respond to priorities and schedules that change frequently, and to meet commitments

• Capability to meet multiple, sometimes conflicting deadlines

• Strong analytical and decision-making abilities

• Capacity to deal with distressed and/or demanding clients and employees in an effective manner

• Experience working in a fast-paced environment and make good judgments as it pertains to clients

• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality

• Strong skills in intercultural, interpersonal and organizational communication

• Ability to communicate in a positive manner verbally, in writing, and by phone to individuals and groups

• Ability to communicate with a variety of personality types and levels of the organization as well as with persons outside of the organization

• Willingness to listen for understanding and assist in problem solving

• Ability to prepare clear, accurate and concise reports

• Be punctual, maintain a good attendance record, and be able to work flexible hours to meet the availability of clients

• Ability to use basic office equipment, telephone, copy machine, fax machine, and personal computer

• Ability to sit, stand, walk, drive, talk on the phone and/or use computer terminal for long periods of time

• Possess a valid driver's license and verification of current auto-insurance, and have full use of automobile during work hours

• Ability to work in varied temperatures and weather conditions

HOW TO APPLY: Applications are accessible on the IRCO website, www.irco.org or IRCO’s main office, 10301 NE Glisan, Portland, OR 97220, 503-234-1541. Attach resume and cover letter to IRCO application form. This position requires the completion of an IRCO application. Materials submitted without a completed application are considered incomplete and will not be considered. Due to the high volume of applications received, we will not be able to contact each applicant. We may not be able to return calls regarding the status of your application. If selected for an interview, we will contact you by telephone.

ABOUT IRCO: The Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO) is a non-profit organization established in 1976 to serve immigrants, refugees, and the broader community in Portland, Oregon. Our mission is to promote the integration of refugees, immigrants, and the community at large into a self-sufficient, healthy, and inclusive multiethnic society. Find out more at www.irco.org.

IRCO IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER