IRC is Hiring: Youth Program Coordinator for Secondary Education – Make a Difference in Refugee Youth Lives

July 20, 2025

4 minutes read

IRC is Hiring: Youth Program Coordinator for Secondary Education – Make a Difference in Refugee Youth Lives

Are you a passionate, mission-driven professional with experience in youth programming and education? Do you have a heart for supporting refugee and immigrant communities as they rebuild their lives? The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is seeking a dedicated Youth Program Coordinator for Secondary Programs to join their Seattle office, supporting communities in SeaTac, Snohomish, and surrounding areas. This hybrid position offers a unique opportunity to design and lead culturally responsive programs for Middle and High School refugee youth, combining direct service, staff supervision, curriculum planning, and strategic community engagement.

Note: This opportunity is currently open to internal IRC candidates only.

Youth Program Coordinator for Secondary Education

ALSO CHECK: Capacity Building Officer – IRC (International Rescue Committee) [Remote]

About the IRC

Founded in 1933 at the urging of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world’s largest and most respected humanitarian organizations. Operating in over 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities, IRC provides life-saving aid and long-term support to those affected by conflict, crisis, and displacement. The IRC’s Seattle office offers comprehensive resettlement and integration services to thousands of refugees, asylees, and other immigrants each year.

The IRC’s Youth Program supports school-aged newcomers in gaining the tools and confidence to pursue a future full of opportunity. The Youth Program Coordinator for Secondary Programs plays a pivotal role in helping refugee youth succeed academically, socially, and emotionally through targeted programs and individualized support.

The Role: Youth Program Coordinator, Secondary

In this mid-level leadership position, you will oversee the design, implementation, and supervision of education and enrichment programs tailored for newcomer Middle and High School students. These include in-school support services, after-school academic enrichment, Youth Futures Summer Internships, and wrap-around referrals for youth and families.

Reporting to the Senior Program Manager for Youth & Education, you will work closely with IRC staff, school districts, families, and community-based organizations to create responsive, trauma-informed, and youth-led programming that addresses barriers and builds pathways for academic and personal success.

Key Responsibilities

Program Design and Planning

Lead the planning of developmentally appropriate, culturally relevant programs to support newcomer students’ English development, social-emotional learning, and cultural identity.
Collaborate regularly with teachers, school staff, IRC teams, and families to align programs with academic needs and community priorities.
Develop innovative program models grounded in anti-racism, healing-centered practices, and youth empowerment.
Build awareness of available resources and refer youth and families to social services as needed.

Leadership and Supervision

Provide supervision and mentorship to a diverse team of educators, Washington Service Corps members, interns, and volunteers.
Implement IRC’s People Manager Standards to support employee growth, inclusion, and wellness.
Coordinate program staffing, scheduling, and team development.
Lead regular team meetings and participate in cross-departmental planning with other IRC programs.

Program Implementation

Ensure timely and inclusive student recruitment and enrollment across districts.
Lead and monitor the execution of high-impact programming that fosters resilience, academic achievement, and leadership among refugee youth.
Incorporate trauma-informed pedagogy and Healing Classrooms methodology into all instructional environments.
Plan and conduct family outreach and engagement, including District Kick-Off events.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting

Track program metrics and deliverables for grant compliance and internal learning.
Design systems to collect quantitative and qualitative feedback from youth and families.
Submit progress reports and share program outcomes with funders and partners.

Candidate Profile

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in Education, Social Work, International Studies, Human Development, or related field. Master’s degree preferred.
Minimum 4 years of experience working with youth—preferably refugee or immigrant youth—in roles such as teaching, tutoring, youth development, or case management.
Demonstrated commitment to anti-racist, equity-driven practices and supporting underrepresented youth populations.
Strong instructional and classroom management skills.
Experience supervising or mentoring educators or volunteers.

Additional Competencies:

Knowledge of trauma-informed education, social-emotional learning, and English Language Learner strategies.
Excellent verbal, written, and cross-cultural communication skills.
Ability to plan, execute, and adjust programs in fast-paced, culturally diverse environments.
Bilingual or multilingual fluency in a language spoken by IRC clients (e.g., Arabic, Dari, Pashto, Swahili, Kinyarwanda) is a plus.
Must be First Aid/CPR certified or willing to obtain upon hire.

Working Environment

This hybrid role involves approximately 40% in-person programming across school districts in South King County and Snohomish County, with the remainder of administrative tasks performed remotely or at the IRC office in SeaTac. Reliable internet and transportation are required. Hours are generally Monday to Friday, 8am–6pm, with occasional evening or weekend events.

Compensation and Benefits

IRC offers competitive compensation aligned with experience, role responsibilities, and location. U.S.-based employees are eligible for a generous benefits package including:

Medical, dental, and vision insurance
20–25 PTO days, plus 10 holidays and 10 sick days
403b retirement plan with immediate vesting
Life and disability insurance
Access to mental health and wellness resources

Why Join the IRC?

At IRC, you’ll be part of a global humanitarian movement grounded in values of Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality. You will have the opportunity to work in a mission-driven environment that prioritizes the well-being, dignity, and future of refugee and immigrant youth—empowering them to succeed in school, community, and life.