Family Advocate

Description

POSITION:                           Family Advocate

JOB CLASS/GRADE:           Specialist 1/ Grade 8

WAGE:                                  Starting at $24,786 per year based on experience

FLSA; EEO; WC:                  Non-Exempt; Professional; 8864

LOCATIONS:                        IRCO Main, 10301 NE Glisan St, Portland OR 97220

                                               Hybrid Schedule

FTE; FT/PT; STATUS:           0.5 FTE; Part-Time with Benefits; Regular

NUMBER OF POSITIONS: (1)

APPLY AT:                             www.irco.org 

STATUS:                                Part-Time with Benefits

PROGRAM(S):                      Foster Care

SECTOR:                               Home Visiting/Early Learning 

REQUIREMENTS:                Fluency in English, Bilingual in English and a 2nd language preferred.

                                               Must possess a valid driver’s license and verification of current auto insurance and have full use of automobile during work hours for home visiting, pro-social events in the community and outreach.

This job announcement is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed in this job. This is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required.

Program Summary
IRCO’s Foster Care program ensures that Foster Care providers retain home language and culture for the Foster Care children/youth in their foster homes. The program also aims to increase the number of foster homes that can be available to host Refugee/Immigrant-identifying children and youth.

Position Summary
The Family Advocate provides case management and direct client support to potential/existing foster care providers and Refugee/Immigrant children placed in foster care. The Family Advocate conducts and assists in training potential/existing families to explore the ways foster care functions and ODHS guidelines for providing foster care to children/youth. The Family Advocate provides foster children/youth support through personal home/community visits, referring individuals to services needed. The Family Advocate plans and delivers culturally appropriate parenting education, parent child-centered, peer-peer activities to ensure child/youth’s retention of language and culture. The Family Advocate provides safe parenting role-modeling practices to parents during home visits with all family members.

Essential Functions

• Support program manager in meeting IRCO's Program Management Standards and engaging in continuous learning for program improvement.
• Perform outreach to and maintain contact with potential/existing foster families within the Portland Metro area who would like to or have participated in IRCO’s training and pro-social activities
• Assist families in supporting children/youth in maintaining their language and respectful connections.
• Provide home visits, individualized parenting education, and support to foster parents 
• Provide referrals to community aware approach, community services such as parenting skills programs, health and dental clinics, family planning, low-income housing, nutrition services, LIEAP, and childcare as needed 
• Advocate for and refer Refugee/Immigrant children and youth to community focused educational, physical, mental, and social health community resources 
• Role model and coach foster parents on how to make appointments, advocate for the linguistic/cultural needs of foster children/youth, and assist foster parents in becoming self-sufficient in accessing services 
• Maintain accurate and confidential records that display the family’s success in completing service goals 
• Provide follow-up referrals, and support as needed for foster children/youth and their foster families 
• Coordinate and assist in delivering foster care training and pro-social activities to community members and IRCO staff 
• Conduct regular service reports through the IRCO database 
• Engage in regular consultation with the IRCO program coordinator and monthly clinical consultation to ensure program efficacy 
• Participate in staff meetings, trainings, committees, and volunteer activities to support IRCO’s goals and objectives as requested by IRCO program coordinator/manager 
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with supervisors, clinical consultants, foster care families, and team members. 
• Drive to/from home visits, pro-social events and transport program participants as needed to reduce barriers to participation and access to needed services.

Secondary Functions

• Engage fully in required reading, including, monthly and weekly IRCO All-Staff emails, newsletters, memorandums, and communications 
• Participation and attendance in IRCO All-Staff Meetings either in-person or virtually, as appropriate, is required

Requirements

Education & Experience

• Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain knowledge and abilities would be through the following: 
• Associate’s degree or equivalent in Social Work or Early Childhood Education preferred      
• Two (2) years’ experience with parenting education and assessment, child development, nutrition, preventive health care, and home visit techniques 
• Professional level experience providing outreach, information, referrals, and follow-up information with community members 
• Experience working with children, youth, and their families 
• Must have knowledge of local Refugee, Immigrant communities, community leaders and organizations 
• Must be familiar with service providers involved with parenting education, social services, health care, emergency services, and childcare 
• Must be able to work in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, fast-paced work environment 
• Must have a valid driver’s license and vehicle insurance
• Strong analytical, problem-solving skills 
• Strong interpersonal skills 
• Communicate effectively in a professional manner verbally and in writing

Physical, Mental, & Environmental Requirements

• Hybrid Setting job
• Position requires little physical effort such as lifting, carrying, or constant movement, but does allow for movement needed to complete work tasks 
• Positions at this level are not responsible for any supervisory functions, or responsibilities, but may occasionally be asked to orient and/or train new employees or volunteers.
• This level has a work environment that is well protected, with virtually no hazards or obstacles.  There is very little element of personal risk or hazard.  Job conditions are stable, usually well managed, and very comfortable
• The work schedule is stable and does not fluctuate

Supervisory Responsibilities

Positions at this level are not responsible for any supervisory functions, or responsibilities, but may occasionally be asked to orient and/or train new employees or volunteers.

What We Offer

IRCO is a very employee-friendly workplace and offers great benefit package to our staff:

• Many flexible working arrangements and schedule
• Amazing opportunity to work with people who come from all over the world
• Work that helps your community 
• 3 to 6 weeks of PTO per year 
• 401k match of over 100% on first 5%, immediate vesting 
• 3% match for student loans or college savings 
• 12 Paid Holidays and 1 Floating Holiday
• Medical & Dental insurance options with 85% coverage for employee AND Families, no deductibles
• Employer Paid Life, Short term, and Long-term Disability Insurance 
• Flexible spending account

Required Engagement

Engage fully in recommended professional development, as well as other assigned or required training activities.  This engagement can also include participation in optional activities that embrace IRCO’s mission, vision, and values-based initiatives.

How To Apply

1. Complete the IRCO application in our Careers Portal: IRCO Application for Employment.  
2. Upload your resume and cover letter addressing your qualifications for this position IRCO Careers.  
3. For questions about this position, please email [email protected]

Please note that physical applications are accessible from IRCO’s main office, 10301 NE Glisan, Portland, OR 97220. Due to the high volume of applications received, we will not be able to contact applicants or return calls regarding applications. Complete applications should include a cover letter, resume, and IRCO application. 

IRCO is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any characteristics protected by law. We will make reasonable accommodations to meet our obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and state disability laws.