Early Education Specialist

This job posting was opened on 2/14/25. Please note that we will be considering applications from internal employees and former IRC Staff exclusively for the first 5 days. After this period, if necessary, we will extend the opportunity to external candidates.

Job Overview: The Early Education Specialist supports refugee children to access preschool services and to succeed academically and socially in elementary school. They also assist parents to participate in their children’s school activities and support schools to identify resources needed to meet the language and varied needs of refugee students and families. The Early Education Specialist develops strong relationships with local school systems, students, their parents, and other relevant stakeholders. 

Major Responsibilities:

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: 

• Lead the planning and implementation of IRC’s efforts to maximize accessibility for its clients to early childhood educational opportunities including Head Start, pre-kindergarten, early learning scholarships to enriched childcare opportunities, and other school and educational opportunities.
• Build and maintain good relationships with school personnel and community partners working to promote and implement early childhood programming.
• Lead enrichment opportunities for students and parents including school orientations, educational workshops, and social-emotional asset development.
• Orient newly arrived families to the American public school system and family law issues with a goal of increasing interaction between school staff and parents as well as parental participation in school activities.
• Provide individualized case management support to students and families and refer to services and community resources as needed.
• In consultation with management, advocate for children in situations of abuse or neglect and refer to partner agencies as appropriate.
• In consultation with management, work with parents to advocate for special needs students in identification, testing and provision of special education services.
• Improve school personnel’s understanding of refugee families’ language needs.
• Ensure timely and accurate compliance to all donor reporting requirements, including required intake documents and service plan, database management, case notes, and file maintenance.
• Other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements:

Education: Bachelor’s degree in education, social services, or related field required, or equivalent work experience.

Work Experience:

• Relevant work experience in positive childhood development, social-emotional development, youth academic support, and ensuring participant safety in a school-based setting required; minimum of 2 years’ experience preferred.
• Prior experience providing individualized support to recently arrived immigrant children and/or youth strongly preferred.

Demonstrated Skills & Competencies:

• Demonstrated competency in program planning and implementation skills, including the ability to manage groups of students and to think creatively and strategically.
• Strong relationship building, diplomacy, and networking skills; ability to effectively build internal and external relationships.
• Demonstrated success working and communicating effectively in various global environments and contexts.
• Self-starter with excellent problem-solving skills combined with the proven ability to prioritize and manage time effectively.
• Attention to detail and accuracy in work product.
• Fluent in English, both spoken and written; proficiency in language(s) spoken by client group is desired.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook); ability to use the internet and other digital tools for accurate data entry, research, and problem-solving purposes.
• Valid driver’s license, access to a personal, insured vehicle, and capacity to drive clients to scheduled appointments as needed.

Working Environment: 

• A combination of standard office environment, remote work, and ‘field’ time within the service delivery area to perform the above outlined responsibilities.
• May require occasional weekend and/or evening work.

Compensation: Posted pay ranges apply to US-based candidates. Ranges are based on various factors including the labor market, job type, internal equity, and budget. Exact offers are calibrated by work location, individual candidate experience and skills relative to the defined job requirements.

Equal Opportunity Employer: IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

US Benefits: We offer a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. In the US, these include: 10 sick days, 10 US holidays, 20-25 paid time off days depending on role and tenure, medical insurance starting at $143 per month, dental starting at $6.50 per month, and vision starting at $5 per month, FSA for healthcare and commuter costs, a 403b retirement savings plans with immediately vested matching, disability & life insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support counseling and care in times of crisis and mental health struggles.

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