Kentucky Refugee Ministries, Louisville Americorps VISTA Cultural Exchange and Mentoring Coordinator (full-time) Job Description The overall goal for the Americorps VISTA Cultural Exchange and Mentoring Coordinator is to build KRM’s capacity to develop and refine cultural exchange and mentoring programs for newlyarrived refugees in need of social support. The primary goal for the first year of the project is to examine existing cultural exchange/mentoring programming within KRM and to create a plan of action to improve processes of mentor recruitment, training, and placement. This will entail an initial needs assessment, investigating best practices in research literature and elsewhere, and revising existing recruitment and training materials. It is our belief that expanding opportunities for community engagement and cultural exchange will reduce newly-arrived refugees’ isolation, improve integration outcomes, and ultimately enable refugee participants to rise out of poverty more quickly and completely. Per Americorps VISTA guidelines, this is a full-time, year-long position, starting July 24, 2015 and ending July 23, 2016. More details and application instructions for Americorps VISTA can be found at the following website: http://www.nationalservice.gov/programs/americorps/americorps-vista Sequence and Timeframe of Essential Duties and Tasks Objective 1: Conduct Needs Assessment to identify existing practices and programming, and to identify areas for growth/development. 1. Review existing mentor outreach and training materials (paper and digital) 2. Learn about existing models and opportunities for growth a. Interview key staff members (case managers, volunteer coordinator) b. Interview refugees who have participated in mentoring/cultural exchange relationship c. Interview current and past mentors 3. Create a report of findings/feedback from stakeholders to share with key staff; explicitly identify growth areas a. Create a visual tool to explain current processes and work flows relating to mentor placement (i.e. flow chart) to identify areas for intervention/overlap across programs Objective 2: Identify best practices for addressing gaps/growth areas identified in Needs Assessment. 1. Explore research literature surrounding best practices for refugee integration, cultural exchange, and mentoring 2. Explore existing models of mentoring/cultural exchange relationships (i.e. Big Brothers/Big Sisters, First Friends) to identify established practices for fostering positive relationships between mentor and mentee 3. Identify methods to reduce mentor attrition 4. Create a Plan of Action in collaboration with KRM staff to implement identified best practices Objective 3: Set the foundations for future outreach and recruitment. 1. Create inventory of existing partnerships/community groups that could be leveraged for mentor recruitment (i.e. ethnic support groups, schools, churches) 2. Identify new partnerships/opportunities to be leveraged for mentor recruitment 3. Revise recruitment/outreach materials and methods (especially use of social media) 4. Prepare a Plan of Action/recommendation for year 2 VISTA to conduct effective outreach Objective 4: Revise training tools for newly-recruited mentor, embedding feedback from Needs Assessment (activity 1) and best practices identified in research (activity 2) 1. Read and identify overlaps/outdated information in training tools for existing programs 2. Work with volunteer coordinator and program managers to create a cohesive training tool for all mentors, with supplemental information for each respective program (i.e. unique guidance for mentors of school-aged children vs. elders) 3. Identify areas to embed cultural exchange concepts (vs. current one-way learning model) 4. Share new training materials with key staff and integrate feedback until satisfactory 5. Digitize training tool so it will be easily accessible updatable after VISTA project is complete Job Requirements College degree required. Strong computer skills, including proficiency in MS Word and Excel Previous cross-cultural experience in a social service, development or educational setting preferred Job will be primarily during normal business hours, though some evening/weekend hours may be needed occasionally Access to reliable transportation required Specialized Skills Strong organizational skills; ability to compile and synthesize information from multiple sources Excellent time management skills and ability to prioritize tasks Comfort with servicing limited-English-proficient clients and utilizing bilingual interpreters Strong detail orientation and ability to create practical action plans Team-orientation; ability to work in coordination with agency resettlement staff. Strong outreach skills; ability to network with a wide range of service providers and community partners Patience and strong commitment to client care, while at the same time adhering to agency mission of promoting client self-sufficiency Ability to take initiative and work independently with supportive supervision Agency Profile Founded in 1990 as a nonprofit agency, Kentucky Refugee Ministries is a local affiliate of Church World Service and Episcopal Migration Ministries, two of nine national voluntary agencies authorized to provide resettlement services to refugees legally admitted to the United States through the U.S. State Department’s Refugee Admissions Program. Since 1995, under the auspices of the Church World Service/Immigration and Refugee Program (CWS/IRP), KRM has also assisted Cuban/Haitian entrants admitted under a special program for Cuban immigration administered by the U.S. Department of Justice. Under this program, KRM’s 2 Cuban/Haitian office is also authorized to assist Cubans and Haitians who are paroled into the U.S. KRM’s Louisville office currently receives around 550 refugee and 500 Cuban arrivals a year. Kentucky Refugee Ministries secures housing and medical care for refugees and provides them with comprehensive case management including employment services, educational and cultural orientation programming, and specialized programs for refugee youth and elders. KRM also offers classes for refugees and immigrants preparing to apply for U.S. citizenship. Salary and Benefits This position is funded by the Americorps VISTA program. Benefits including medical insurance, a monthly stipend and End of Service Stipend/Educational award are available through Americorps. KRM may also provide a housing allowance for applicants who relocate to Louisville, KY for the position. More details and application instructions for Americorps VISTA can be found at the following website: http://www.nationalservice.gov/programs/americorps/americorps-vista To Apply Interested applicants must apply through the Center for National Community Service (CNCS): https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/viewListing.do?id=60116&fromSearch=true Applicants are encouraged to submit a resume and cover letter in addition to completing the CNCS application. Please submit rsume and cover letter to: Rachel Segretto Resettlement Manager Kentucky Refugee Ministries 969-B Cherokee Road Louisville, KY 40204 Email: [email protected] Date Posted: April 28, 2015 Close Date: May 12, 2015 3
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