The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.
This position is represented by the OPEIU union and subject to the terms and conditions of a collective bargaining agreement
This position has an end date of June, 30, 2029.
IRC Background:
The IRC in Northern California was established in 1975 in response to the needs of the growing refugee population. Over the past 40 years the IRC has resettled nearly 60,000 clients in Northern California. Originally focused on reception and placement, the IRC provides a range of services including economic empowerment, immigration, community gardening, and case management for victims of trafficking. IRC’s Economic Empowerment programming focuses on connecting individuals to employment opportunities in an effort to lead them down the path of self-sufficiency. This is accomplished through a combination of employment services, financial education and coaching, and access to public benefits and income support.
Job Overview:
The Youth Outreach Specialist leads community-based outreach, recruitment, and eligibility intake for the IRC's Out-of-School Youth (OSY) program in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. This position identifies and engages youth ages 16–24 who are not currently enrolled in school and who meet one or more OSY barrier criteria, such as being a school dropout, basic skills deficient, an offender, in foster care or aging out of foster care, homeless or a runaway, pregnant or parenting, an individual with a disability, or otherwise in need of additional assistance to complete an educational program or secure employment. Working closely with local schools, juvenile justice and foster care agencies, community-based organizations, and employers, the Youth Outreach Specialist builds a steady pipeline of eligible referrals as well as determines and documents WIOA eligibility.
Major Responsibilities:
Conduct sustained, community-based outreach and recruitment to identify eligible out-of-school youth, including canvassing neighborhoods, alternative schools, GED/HSE programs, shelters, foster care and juvenile justice systems, and other settings where OSY are likely to be found in Alameda and Contra Costa counties.
Build and maintain referral relationships with school districts and alternative education providers, the foster care and juvenile justice systems, homeless service providers and community-based organizations.
Determine OSY eligibility, collect and verify required documentation (proof of age, residency, income, and barrier-to-employment documentation), and complete eligibility files in accordance with state and local workforce board policy.
Enter and maintain accurate, timely participant data in the required state case management system and IRC program databases, including eligibility, required services and referral partner.
Develop and distribute outreach and recruitment materials in accessible, culturally and linguistically appropriate formats for the local youth population.
Conduct phone outreach, and in-person meetings with youth and families to explain program services, eligibility requirements, and the enrollment process.
Track outreach activity, referral sources, and enrollment numbers against program recruitment targets and performance goals, and report…