JFCS Refugee and Immigrant Services

JFCS’s Refugee and Immigrant Services Department supports all refugees and immigrants in our region. As an affiliate of HIAS, JFCS is the oldest and largest resettlement program in southwestern Pennsylvania, welcoming refugees from around the world since 1937. In addition, JFCS is the lead agency for ISAC (Immigrant Services and Connections), a 5 agency collaboration providing resources and service coordination for people living in our region with barriers of language or culture in attaining the support they need to live fulfilling lives.

About the Cultural Education Specialist

JFCS is seeking an innovative, experienced team member who understands the needs of refugees and is passionate about helping them become self-sufficient and capable of contributing their skills, talents and gifts to the community. This is a newly created position that will create a comprehensive educational program for refugees. This position will encompass a variety of educational needs that refugees have when they arrive in our region. Core curriculum will include cultural orientation, financial management, home maintenance, interfacing with social and educational service providers, as well as practical training in using transportation and medical systems. This position reports to the JFCS Manager of Resettlement Services.

Position Summary

The Cultural Education Specialist develops and implements educational curriculum and coaches refugees to our region. This position is responsible for developing, leading and evaluating educational activities focused on orienting, and ensuring refugee self-sufficiency. The Cultural Education Specialist is part of a robust cross-disciplinary team that provides for all aspects of resettlement. The Cultural Education Specialist will be responsible for providing insightful, trauma informed workshops and educational opportunities that will result in preventative practices and proactive education for clients facing multiple challenges on their pathways to establishing themselves in their new homes in our region.

JFCS Pittsburgh

In today’s world, it is important that your life’s work brings you value and purpose. By joining the team at JFCS, you will experience hands-on opportunities that directly help people in the Greater Pittsburgh region through life’s changes and challenges.

Proudly voted by JFCS employees as one of Pittsburgh’s best places to work for +10 years, our care and commitment to our employees and our clients is our top priority. We are looking for new employees who share our commitment to providing critical, high quality services to the community.

Benefits:

• Collaborative work environment and diverse staff
• 37.5 hours work week with flexible scheduling to support work-life balance
• Hybrid work model (part of the week in office, part remote)
• Sick Time = 12 days a year
• Vacation Time = starts at 2 weeks the first year and then increases with longevity up to 4 weeks total
• Additional paid time off for all employees = most federal holidays, 3-5 floating holidays (to be used at employee’s discretion), and a number of Jewish holidays
• Comprehensive health insurance - medical, dental and vision
• Short and long term disability, life insurance and a 401k package for which JFCS contributes 4% of salary after the first year of service
• Annual longevity bonuses after the first year of service

Accountability:

• Maintain accurate outcome data for cultural orientation as mandated by government programs.
• Completion of accurate, timely case notes.
• Work seamlessly with a multiple-disciplinary team to address client needs through the implementation of educational workshops and curriculum necessary for long term client self-sufficiency.
• Work with the Manager of Resettlement and Director of Refugee & Immigrant Services to develop and administer surveys to assess refugee’s knowledge and skill after participating in cultural orientation sessions.

Coordination:

• Develop and implement educational workshops and materials for refugee orientation and long-term self-sufficiency
• In collaboration with the refugee resettlement and employment teams, develop meaningful, relevant, and efficient opportunities for client education.
• Conduct outreach to clients, schedule client appointments and follow-up as needed for cultural orientation sessions and other educational opportunities, and arrange for client transportation as needed to support program activities.
• Assure clients are participating in ESL classes and provide additional resources to improve ESL.
• Coordinates with interpreters to assure cultural orientation sessions are delivered in the preferred language of clients.

Development:

• Develop new educational opportunities to address emerging needs.
• Assess refugees’ educational needs and develop appropriate resources to increase their skills and knowledge.
• Evaluate and modify existing departmental educational programs and processes to better meet client outcomes.
• Develop materials and strategies to teach adults with low literacy and few prior educational opportunities.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Must be culturally sensitive to the unique needs of a diverse array of refugees from around the world and provide trauma informed services.
• Demonstrate a high level of organization to manage multiple educational initiatives and programs.
• Clear, concise written and verbal communication with clients, staff, partners, case workers and other stakeholders.
• A collaborative team member who participates in an environment that is inclusive, respectful, warm, and supportive.
• Comfortable using interpreters to communicate effectively.
• Alert to cross-cultural interference in dealing with staff and clients and be culturally responsive in providing insightful program interventions and a responsive workplace environment.
• Cultural humility and openness to learning is a hallmark of this position.
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team.
• Must have access to reliable vehicle, insurance, and valid license.
• Must be available to work flexible hours after 5pm and on the weekends

• Education and Experience
• Bachelors required in social work, sociology, education, anthropology, or related field.
• At least one year of experience in refugee service programs.
• Experience in curriculum development as well as in leading workshops and educational events.
• Strong organizational skills with a keen focus on details.
• Creativity, responsiveness, and a flair for fun.
• Experience with ensuring quality outcomes for clients and fidelity with monitoring requirements.

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.