Specialist: Refugee Asylee Program - English Language Learners Multilingual Achievement Department

Ref: PCN6719

Due to union restrictions, this position is only available to current employees of this school district for the first 5 days following the posted date. Applications submitted by job seekers not currently employed by the school district will not be considered during this specific time period. EXTERNAL CANDIDATES ARE WELCOME TO APPLY .

TITLE:

Specialist, Refugee and Asylee Program

REPORTS TO:

Assigned Supervisor

DEPARTMENT:

As Assigned

CLASSIFICATION:

Classified

FLSA:

Non-Exempt

WORK YEAR/HOURS


261Days/7.5 Hours

ISSUED:

Created: May 2007


Revised: June 2013

SALARY GRADE:

WTCL 53

BASIC FUNCTION: Promote and support the OUSD Strategic Plan to create equitable opportunities for learning and success that ensure all students are college and career ready. Play an integral role in achieving the mission and goals of a Full Service Community District by providing support to schools and families.Leverage and provide a continuum of educational, enrichment, advocacy, and enrollment supports for refugeeand asylee children and their families, in partnership with local refugee support agencies and OUSD schools.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES: (Incumbents may perform any combination of the essential functions shown below. This position description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, knowledge, or abilities associated with this classification, but are intended to reflect the principal job elements accurately.)

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Implement, and manage the District's Refugee & Asylee Student Support Program, designing new programmatic aspects as needed; provide direct support to refugee & asylee students, their families, and their school sites each year to ensure access to a continuum of educational, enrichment, advocacy and cultural orientation services and support that facilitate school integration, college and career readiness, and access to timely, accurate, accessible, and language specific information about Oakland schools, as well as key District activities and serve as an educational advocate to qualifying students.
• Determine and set goals for the program in compliance with grant mandates District goals, and changing student and school site needs, in conjunction with key community partners; partner with school sites, District departments and refugee service agencies to ensure access to a wide array of academic and enrichment supports.
• Provide students and families with school orientation and support with student placement and choice, workshops for families on OUSD/U.S. school norms, access to key community- and school-based support services (such as after school programs, summer programs, and enrichment programs), needs assessments and student support plans, and access to translation services.
• Identify and recruit refugee students and facilitate outreach to each newly resettled refugee community; enroll and provide direct support to students and their families during the process and thereafter.
• Provide information, professional development and (in the case of high-concentration schools) assist with grants for OUSD schools with new and ongoing influxes of refugee students. Support schools with family-school communication and engagement.
• Establish, strengthen and maintain channels of communication and positive relationships with all stakeholders __ administrators, staff, Dept. of Social Services, families, students, and community-based organizations to coordinate and expand effective programming, resolve issues and conflicts, and exchange information in support of refugee and asylee students and their families.
• Establish systems to manage and maintain quality partnerships including regular meetings, planning sessions, collaborative problem solving and agreements to ensure open and ongoing communication and collaboration in support of students needs.
• Serve as District liaison for Refugee & Asylee Student Assistance Program within the District, schools and community partners, city and county partners, the Department of Social Services (DSS), and with the US Office of Refugee Resettlement (Federal).
• Provide health and parents education programs.
• Support students through teacher/staff trainings and technical assistance, capacity building within community-based organizations (CBOs), and the development and circulation of print resources to ensure cultural and linguistic appropriateness of services, activities and communication efforts.
• Create and manage the development/updating of written and on-line resources; ensure information is translated into appropriate languages.
• Collaborate with IT to maintain a database of refugee and asylee students to document refugee status, identify needs, services brokered and received, and track the impact on school attendance and achievement.
• Oversee program personnel to ensure smooth and proper functioning of the refugee and asylee program; report personnel issues to immediate supervisor.
• Collaborate with District partners to design District-wide newcomer summer programming for Refugee and Newcomer English Language Learners and refer additional students to home school programs, CBOs, and city programs.
• Serve as the educational advocate for refugee and asylee students-regularly communicating with students, families, and school sites on SSTs, IEPs, 504 hearings, and other multi-disciplinary/intervention teams (CBOs) targeting school success.
• Recruit, and hire various summer school staff (OUSD k-12 and OACE teachers) and community partners to deliver summer enrichment and school-year enrichment/academic programs for refugee and asylee students; interface with Human Resources, Summer School Office, college and career, and school sites.
• Provide, recruit, and broker tutoring and mentoring services, after school and summer enrichment programs, and other supplemental supports including CAHSEE preparation classes for refugee and asylee children and youth and their families.
• Write all Refugee School Impact Grant (RSIG) grant reports and applications - including competitive, midyear reports and final reports; ensure funds are spent in a compliant manner; leverage and monitor available resources and funding to support the refugee and asylee programs.
• Compile and submit contracts, and oversee progress and activities of contractors.
• Prepare Audit Documentation for DSS Audits and serve as the main contact during audit/monitoring and review visits and manage all follow-up items after the monitoring visit.
• Stay abreast of current policies associated with the Refugee Program and current refugee resettlement trends to ensure District compliance with laws and procedures and make recommendations/advocate for changes that will result in more effective and efficient operations and services in the District.
• Participate in professional development opportunities related to refugee students/refugee education as well as foster, migrant and homeless youth.
• Obtain and distribute school readiness supplies and materials, transportation assistance, and translation services for refugee and asylee children and youth and their families.
• Serve as program liaison to local, regional, and state agencies as assigned to ensure compliance with current policies, laws, and entitlements governing the educational rights of refugee and newcomer children and youth.
• Collect and provide documentation on refugee and asylee program activities to demonstrate compliance with funding goals and objectives.
• Collaborate with Homeless, Migrant and Foster program team members to perform community outreach and for information sharing to advance the needs of the department.
• Attend FSCP department meetings; represent FSCP at District and community meetings in service of refugee and asylee children and youth; attend and present at state and national conferences.
• Provide cross-training to team members and other staff.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

TRAINING, EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Psychology, Social Work, Behavioral Science, Human Services or related field and 3 years relevant experience providing services to refugee/asylee/newcomer children, youth and families required.
• Master's degree in related field preferred
• Experience developing and facilitating community partnerships required
• Experience working in a large urban school district environment preferred
• Combination of education, skills, experience, and ability to perform all representative duties associated with this position

LICENSES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Valid California Driver's License
• Employment eligibility will include fingerprints, tuberculosis and/or other employment clearance

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Local, regional, and state immigration laws and systems of care for refugee and asylee children, youth, and families
• The needs and challenges facing newcomer children and families who are entering and navigating the American school system for the first time
• Ensure the development and implementation of communication with appropriate agencies to develop effective foster youth services and homeless education services
• Identify, contact, develop and coordinate community and educational resources
• Prepare clear, concise and comprehensive reports, recommendations and assessments
• Make effective oral presentations to individuals and groups
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with, school district staff and agency personnel, and others contacted in the course of work
• Local health and education services
• Related community agency organization, resources and services
• Budgetary principles and practices
• Highly difficult, technical educational, cultural, social, and recreational programs
• Advanced training techniques; correct English usage, grammar, spelling, and punctuation
• Telephone techniques, systems and etiquette
• Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy; good communication skills and techniques
• District policies, applicable sections of the State Education Code and other laws and regulations
• Collection and organization of information including electronic data
• Methods to interpret, apply and explain rules, regulations, policies, and procedures
• Computer software, hardware, and related technology
• Training programs and techniques
• Facilitation practices and skills

ABILITY TO:

• Interpret, implement, and maintain current knowledge of applicable laws, codes, policies, procedures, and District regulations governing work scope
• Provide student support services to students
• Communicate effectively with students, parents/guardians and appropriate District staff regarding student progress
• Recognize and remain sensitive to the individual needs and differences of students
• Perform a variety of administrative functions related to homelessness
• Identify student needs related to appropriate services
• Prepare and maintain a variety of documents related to homeless student needs
• Maintain current knowledge of program rules, regulations, requirements and restrictions
• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others
• Read, interpret, apply and explain rules, regulations, policies and procedures
• Develop, implement and coordinate projects
• Relate to and be sensitive towards students and families including persons from diverse backgrounds
• Work confidentially with discretion
• Work with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail
• Keep accurate records
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing
• Communicate clearly; understand and interpret District and other rules, policies and procedures
• Understand and follow oral and written directions; work independently
• Meet schedules and timelines
• Maintain records; analyze situations accurately and take appropriate action
• Work cooperatively with others
• Complete work accurately and as directed with many interruptions
• Organize, coordinate and prioritize a large volume of activities, programs and services
• Train employees and others
• Prepare presentations and use expert facilitation skills
• Work with computer software, hardware, and related technology
• Operate basic office equipment

WORKING CONDITIONS

ENVIRONMENT:


Office environment, diverse neighborhood and school settings, driving a vehicle to conduct work; flexible schedules; constant interruptions

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:


Consistent mental alertness; sitting or standing for extended periods of time; lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling objects up to 30 pounds, occasionally 30+ pounds; bending and twisting at the waist, reaching overhead, above the shoulders and horizontally; dexterity of both hands and fingers while performing duties; seeing to read, write and use the computer; hearing and speaking to exchange information, in person or on the telephone, and make presentations.

NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY:


The Oakland Unified School District does not discriminate in any program, activity, or in employment on the basis of actual or perceived race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, veteran status, gender, sex, or sexual orientation.