CRSP (Colorado Refugee Services Program) Specialist


Title:  CRSP (Colorado Refugee Services Program) Specialist

Reports to: Manager of CRSP Program

Status: Full-time/ Salaried/ Non-exempt

Salary: $38,000 annually; paid bi-monthly 

Benefits: 90% for employee 50% for family, Delta Dental 100% for employee 50% for family, LT, ST and life insurance, IRA retirement plan up to 3% match, Vacation/Sick time/Personal Time.

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Mission of Focus Points Family Resource Center:  To build better communities by strengthening families.  

Scope of Organization: Since 1995, Focus Points has worked successfully to transform the lives of low-income and working families in Northeast Denver and beyond. Focus Points serves over 2,000 participants each year, most of whom are Spanish-speaking immigrants. Focus Points is committed to: 

  • School readiness programs to open doors to future success. 
  • Family literacy and adult self-reliance programs to facilitate independence. 
  • Healthy living and health access programs to promote active, vibrant living.  
  • Parent engagement and community leadership to foster empowerment; and 
  • Economic and workforce training and development to support financial independence and community stability. 

Position Summary:

The CRSP Specialist is the main point of contact for resettlement agencies as they refer adult refugees and asylees to our program for ELA classes. As such, the program specialist is responsible for student outreach, registration and enrollment, data entry and tracking, and assisting with academic events and activities for the program. Bilingualism is highly preferred; linguistic flexibility—the ability to learn basic-level phrases in other languages and the willingness to communicate with non-English speakers—is a necessity. This position includes a great deal of one-on-one time with newly arrived refugees and requires a person who is patient, organized, empathetic, outgoing, friendly, persistent, and adaptive.

Primary Responsibilities & Activities:

Registration & Enrollment

  • Complete refugee intake, including identification verification and ensuring eligibility for CRSP services; registration; testing and assessment; class placement
  • Maintain communication with resettlement agencies and case workers regarding new referrals, current students, and inactive clients
  • Conduct outreach to resettlement agencies, other refugee-serving organizations, and within refugee-dense neighborhoods to maintain high levels of enrollment
  • Coordinate with resettlement agencies for developing information on referrals and taking part in warm handoffs
  • Outreach to case workers, volunteers, education specialists, or other resettlement agency workers to ensure that the health, safety, and wellness of our students and their families are being met

Data Entry & Tracking

  • Track and report attendance to various stakeholders
  • Update and maintain student data in multiple databases
  • Analyze data to improve efficiency and ensure high attendance, retention, and performance rates

Academic Assistance & Support

  • Provide any resources or referrals for students whenever possible
  • Create and maintain student files
  • Support CASAS, BEST Plus, and other testing and assessment activities
  • Obtain CASAS, BEST Plus, and/or other testing certification and training
  • Provide all learners with a safe, appropriate, and culturally conscious environment
  • Assist lead instructors in planning and hosting quarterly ESL integration activities for students, either virtually or in-person
  • Execute quarterly student assessments and annual student testing
  • Assist instructors in creating individual academic goals with students and check in on goals-related progress every quarter
  • Assist instructors in coordinating substitute instructors when necessary
  • Contact any learner that has missed more than 8 consecutive classes and has not been successfully reached by personal instructor; stay in touch with resettlement agencies and case workers about student progress and attendance and unenroll inactive students when necessary
  • Utilize interpretation technology to communicate with pre-literate and non-conversational students
  • Provide dynamic support in the retention of learners
  • Maintain Zoom links and hosting responsibilities for all courses; create new Zoom meetings for new classes

Additional Responsibilities

  • Attend and assist in structuring and taking notes for CRSP meetings
  • Attend required company meetings and team-building activities
  • Assist instructors in coordinating substitute instructors when necessary
  • Complete all required CRSP trainings as well as FRCA and other Focus Points trainings
  • Maintain records of CRSP staff’s required trainings and advise on renewals needed
  • Accumulate professional development hours per semester and complete all required forms
    Attend workshops, trainings, and meetings as requested by the CRSP Program Manager
  • Keep the CRSP Program Manager informed of all pertinent information
  • Maintain regular contact with CRSP Specialist to share relevant information and changes related to:
    1) instructor-related time off, substitute teaching plans, sick days, adjustments to any scheduled classes; 2) student-related changes to personal schedules and availability, progress and attendance, course changes, health and wellness
  • Submit timesheets for payroll on time
  • Adhere to all organizational policies including submitting time-off requests well in advance of time-off needed
  • Ensure classroom and/ or office space is kept organized
  • Maintain cooperative relationships and open communication with all staff, participants, and off-site contacts
  • Maintain a professional attitude and adhere to a high level of confidentiality towards Focus Points staff and participants
  • Other duties as assigned within the scope of this position and organization handbook

Required Competencies:

Instruction

  • Information Gathering: Record student attendance and referrals into multiple Salesforce platforms; log feedback to provide timely and accurate accounts of class activity; pull reports when needed for semi-annual reporting and grant purposes
  • Written Communication: Utilize email, digital data tracking platforms, and classroom planning materials (such as lesson plans) to report progress and needs for each class
  • Linguistic Flexibility: Download and use interpretation applications and resources to communicate with students who may be pre-literate or non-conversational in English; communication will include direct phone calls and/ or text messaging
  • Decision Making/Judgement: Ability to manage classroom dynamics to ensure a safe and equitable learning environment for all; this includes ensuring that your classroom and/ or office environment is structured to meet the needs of a diverse range of students in terms of cultural and religious sensitivities as well as linguistic and technological barriers
  • Interpersonal Skills: Ability to control and express one’s emotions in a judicious, patient, and empathetic manner, both with students and with other team members
  • Computer Skills: Ability to operate, navigate and troubleshoot Microsoft Office suite products, Google Drive files, WhatsApp, Zoom, and various internet browsers; willingness to download and learn new technologies and applications as the landscape of online teaching shifts; have knowledge of efficiency shortcuts (like bookmarks) and demonstrate professional email etiquette, etc., in order to plan curriculum and teach students these technical skills; exhibit proficiency in subject areas and be able to share knowledge in order to meet learning objectives

Preferred Competencies:

  • Bilingualism: Ability to communicate in another language to support linguistic justice for our participants and ensure equitable access to information and social capital; preferred languages currently include Spanish, Dari/Farsi, Pashto, Ukrainian, Arabic, Russian, Urdu, Tigrinya, Kinyarwanda
  • Time Management: Develop effective data entry planning to maintain reporting requirements and balance additional job duties

Diversity Statement
Personal or professional commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion as demonstrated by persistent effort, active planning, allocation of resources and/or accountability for diversity and inclusion outcomes. Applicant must share a commitment to anti-racist work.

COVID-19 Precaution(s): (These are subject to current guidelines)

  • Sanitizing, disinfecting, and cleaning procedures in place
  • Masking optional
  • Some virtual meetings

To Apply
Send cover letter, resume, and three professional references to Erica Dine, CRSP Program Manager, at erica@focuspoints.org. This position is being interviewed on a rolling basis for immediate hiring; please submit your application as soon as possible.

Focus Points Resource Center is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits unlawful discrimination on the basis of age, race, sex, color, religion, national origin, disability, military status, genetic information, ancestry, creed, gender identity or expression, and sexual orientation, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state or local law.CRSP Program Manager

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