Community Navigation Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is a prominent humanitarian organization that was founded in 1933 at the behest of Albert Einstein. The IRC operates in over 40 countries and 29 cities across the United States, making it one of the largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO) in the world. The organization is dedicated to responding to the most severe humanitarian crises, focusing on restoring health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and empowerment to individuals affected by conflict and disaster. With a mission to help people survive, reclaim control of their futures, and strengthen their communities, the IRC employs a diverse workforce committed to delivering lasting impact and hope to millions globally. The IRC values solutions-driven individuals who are passionate about making a positive difference in the lives of others.

Job Overview:
The Community Navigation Specialist plays a crucial role in connecting clients with community-based service providers, including accredited immigration legal services organizations, certified healthcare partners, interpreters, and other support services. This position is designed to facilitate outreach, provide individualized support, coordinate referrals, and assist clients in navigating various systems to access necessary services. The Navigation Specialist does not offer immigration legal advice or representation; instead, the focus is on empowering clients to manage their processes independently. The role involves helping clients through the adjustment of status process and promoting long-term community integration. The Community Navigation Specialist is expected to build confidence in clients, enabling them to navigate systems effectively and access resources that support their progress.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Community Navigation Specialist has a wide range of responsibilities, including but not limited to: conducting outreach to eligible client populations, referring all case-specific immigration legal questions to licensed or accredited legal service providers, providing individualized navigation and support to clients, assisting with scheduling intake appointments, conducting regular follow-ups with clients to address barriers, maintaining accurate tracking systems for client progress, and documenting all client interactions. Additionally, the specialist will assist clients in accessing services related to their pathway to permanent residency, support them in navigating appointment systems, and provide practical guidance to empower clients. The role also involves building rapport with clients, ensuring culturally responsive service delivery, connecting clients with community resources, and collaborating with coworkers and community organizations to facilitate effective referrals and service coordination.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates for the Community Navigation Specialist position should possess an undergraduate degree or equivalent experience. Relevant professional experience in the human services field, community services navigation, or nonprofit programs is required, with a minimum of 2 years of experience strongly preferred. Experience working with immigrant and refugee populations is highly valued, and lived experience is considered an asset. Candidates should demonstrate strong relationship-building and diplomacy skills, the ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders, and success in a multicultural environment. Attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and the ability to manage multiple tasks effectively are essential for this role.

Educational Background:
The educational requirement for this position is an undergraduate degree or equivalent experience in a relevant field. This educational background should ideally provide the candidate with the necessary skills and knowledge to navigate community services and support clients effectively.

Experience:
The position requires relevant professional experience in the human services field, community services navigation, or nonprofit programs. A minimum of 2 years of experience is strongly preferred, particularly with immigrant and refugee populations. Candidates with lived experience in these communities are highly regarded, as they can bring valuable insights and understanding to the role.

Languages:
Fluency in English, both spoken and written, is mandatory for this position. Additionally, proficiency in languages spoken by IRC’s clients, such as Swahili, Arabic, Spanish, Dari, and/or Pashto, is desired and considered a valuable asset for effective communication and service delivery.

Additional Notes:
The Community Navigation Specialist position is expected to end on July 30, 202

• The compensation for this role ranges from $21 to $22.80 per hour, with variations based on factors such as the labor market, job type, internal equity, and budget considerations. The IRC is committed to equal opportunity employment and considers all applicants based on merit without regard to various personal characteristics. The working environment is a standard office setting, with potential requirements for occasional weekend and evening work. IRC offers a comprehensive benefits package, including sick days, paid time off, medical and dental insurance, retirement savings plans, and an Employee Assistance Program.