United States of America: Wellness Promoter

IRC Summary: The IRC in Northern California was established in 1975 in response to the needs of the growing refugee population. Over the past 40 years the IRC has resettled nearly 60,000 clients in Northern California. Originally focused on reception and placement the IRC in Oakland one of four offices in Northern California provides a range of services including resettlement and economic empowerment services, immigration, community gardening and case management for victims of trafficking. The Oakland office provides further psycho-social services to support newcomer population’s wellness, emotional health and promote the healthy integration of refugees into new communities in the Bay Area.

Job Overview: The IRC in Oakland’s Health and Wellness programs ensure that newly resettled refugees have access to psycho-social support to serve their adjustment needs, including but not limited to support groups, education on resources, and referrals to relevant providers. The Wellness Promoter will be responsible for the implementation of the Pathways to Wellness support group curriculum for 2-4 cohorts of clients. This 8-week group model supports newly arrived refugees and Special Immigrant Visa holders in their adjustment to life in the Bay Area, and aims to support participants through building community and coping mechanisms. The Wellness Promoter will also provide some case management and referrals for group participants as needed.

Major Responsibilities:

• Work with IRC staff and community partners to identify eligible and interested participants for the Pathways to Wellness groups.
• Conduct outreach to existing Afghan, refugee, immigrant and asylee communities to encourage participation and increase referrals to health and wellness programming.
• Facilitate community-based group support activities through Pathways to Wellness curriculum to promote emotional wellbeing and healthy adjustment and provide opportunities for refugee connection and support.
• Conduct RHS-15 screenings to assess for symptoms of PTSD, depression and anxiety, and provide appropriate referrals to community mental health and/or other service providers as needed.
• Ensure accurate tracking and data entry of client notes, outreach, workshop attendance, assessments, RHS-15 screenings and any additional documentation required for funder’s research and data-gathering.
• Ensure that program services are provided in accordance with quality assurance standards of the IRC and the funder.
• Work closely with staff to enhance and implement Health and Wellness Program goals.
• Other duties as assigned.

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to: Health and Wellness Manager
Position directly supervises: N/A

I**ndirect Reporting:** Site Manager
Other Internal and/or external contacts:

Internal: Wellness Promoter will develop working relationships with internal direct service staff including New Roots, Economic Empowerment, ICM, AT, and R&P staff, Health and Wellness staff at other IRC sites.

External: Wellness Promoter will develop working relationships with other refugee resettlement agencies, ethnic Community- Based Organizations, Community leaders and other stakeholders.

Job Requirements:

• Associate degree with an emphasis in Social Work, Psychology, sociology or an equivalent field of study.
• 2+ years of relevant work experience acquired through relevant work experiences. A significant portion of this experience would include responsibilities in community-based services, social services, education, capacity building and/or humanitarian relief.
• Understanding of community integration, resettlement and migration trauma.
• Cross-cultural awareness and communication skills.
• Experience with psycho-social programing preferred.
• Demonstrated success working and communicating effectively in a multi-cultural environment.
• Experience working directly with underserved populations.
• Proven ability to contribute both independently and as a key team member.
• Very well organized and excellent reporting skills.
• Self- starter with excellent problem solving skills combined with the proven ability to multi-task, prioritize duties, and manage time effectively.
• Fluency in written and spoken English; Fluency in additional language relevant to current refugee populations (Farsi, Dari, or Pashto).

Work Environment:

• Responsibilities split between field-based and office environment.
• Travel to field site operation often. Access to reliable and insured transportation required.

https://rescue.csod.com/ats/careersite/jobdetails.aspx?site=1&c=rescue&id=3752