Transportation Coordinator, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT

 

BACKGROUND:

Founded in 1933, the IRC is a leading nonsectarian, voluntary organization providing relief, protection and resettlement services for refugees and victims of oppression or violent conflict.  One aspect of the IRC is to provide assistance to refugees resettling in the United States. The IRC San Diego Regional Office (IRC/SD) was established in 1975 to assist refugees relocating to the US and is the leading private, non-profit, non-sectarian resettlement agency in San Diego, having resettled over 20,000 refugees. IRC/SD has numerous programs to help refugees and asylees acculturate and work towards self-sufficiency. These programs include: case management; employment assistance; immigration services; financial literacy and microenterprise programs; specialized programs for women and youth; and citizenship/English language classes.

The San Diego IRC Community and Economic Development Department provides a comprehensive package of services for refugees, including nutrition and health education, direct lending and technical assistance for small business start-up, consumer advocacy, credit building and repair, and job placement for new arrivals. 

SCOPE OF WORK: 

Recognizing that transportation and mobility are key to independence and self sufficiency, the Transportation Coordinator will work closely with IRC Job Development and Case Management staff to ensure that all newly arrived refugees receive hands-on assistance with learning and navigating San Diego’s public transportation systems. Under the supervision of the Community and Economic Development Manager, the Transportation Coordinator will also advocate for local transportation issues. 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: 

  1. Assist newly arrived refugees to learn and understand the San Diego public transportation system by accompanying refugees on bus trips and help them to learn essential routes, including how to get to and from work.
 
  1. In coordination with the Development Manager recruit and manage volunteers to accompany refugees on bus trips and help them to learn essential routes, including how to get to and from work.
 
  1. Work closely with Job Development and Case Management staff in developing and administering a free bus pass project for eligible clients.
 
  1. Assist Job Development staff in helping clients overcome transportation related challenges to employment.
 
  1. Lead transportation-related classroom training sessions for newly arrived refugees
 
  1. Create simple and visually-driven informational pamphlets detailing bus routes and critical transportation-related concepts.
 
  1. Research, identify, and collaborate with local agencies that offer services aimed at alleviating transportation-related challenges.
 
  1. Assist with administration of IRC’s automobile-loan pilot program.
 
  1. Facilitate creation of systemic linkages between IRC’s Financial Literacy and Job Development Programs with transportation as a central concept
 
  1. Assist with the implementation and administration of an Individual Development Account pilot project
 
  1. Assist with Financial Literacy case management as pertaining to transportation, as needed.
 
  1. Support Job Development, Case Management, and Financial Literacy staff in record-keeping and client tracking.
 
  1. Support the Program Manager in defining and tracking quantifiable measurements to assess project effectiveness; keep detailed client case files and case notes.
 
  1. Use data and findings to advocate to local agencies that set transportation policy.
 
  1. Assist the Program Manager to actively develop alternative sources of funding to expand the size and capacity of the transportation project.
 
  1. Assist with loan underwriting and collections,
 
  1. Attend regularly scheduled meetings with other IRC staff and volunteers as part of the review, evaluation and program maintenance process.
 
  1. Assist in the planning and coordination of classroom activities when necessary.
 
  1. Other duties as assigned
 

REQUIREMENTS:

  1. Education: Four-year degree strongly preferred.
 
  1. Experience: Experience in a non-profit setting highly desirable; experience working directly with diverse client base preferred; grant-writing, program coordination, and record-keeping experience a plus.
 
  1. Skills and Abilities: Works and communicates well with people of varied backgrounds. Strong written and verbal communication skills, including ability to make presentations are important.  Flexibility, dependability, and creativity are desired.  Ability to work independently, be a self-starter, and maintain responsibility for multiple tasks a must. Ability to focus on and improve a larger vision while working to implement day-to-day details a must.  Attention to detail and ability to meet deadlines under pressure.  Vietnamese, Somali, Swahili, or Arabic language skills a plus.
 
 

Reports to:  Community and Economic Development Manager

Position:   Full-Time, Regular, $32,000 Salary/year

Posted/Updated: 02/21/08 
 

To apply submit resume and cover letter via email to:

Kasra Movahedi, Community and Economic Development Manager

E-mail: kasra.movahedi@theirc.org 

IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status or disability.  IRC is an equal opportunity employer.