URM Cultural Specialist

The Cultural Specialist is responsible for helping the youth in the Unaccompanied Refugee Minors Program maintain some of their ethnic heritage and religion while adapting to American society and helping the American society understand the minor's culture.

The responsibilities and duties are divided into four (4) categories: 1) Educator, 2) Consultant, 3) Translator, and 4) Special Program Activities.

I. Cultural Awareness Educator

A. Responsible for providing cultural awareness classes for the Catholic Charities' Staff, American foster families, teachers and interested groups in the minor's ethnic culture and religion.

B. The Cultural Specialist should be creative in developing opportunities to present cultural awareness training to the American Society. Understanding and knowledge about the minor's culture should help to develop a more accepting attitude toward the unaccompanied refugee minor and adult refugees living in this area.

C. Responsible for presenting cultural orientation classes on the American family and society to the unaccompanied refugee minor on a monthly basis.

D. Encourages the unaccompanied refugee minor to learn and speak English; and adapt to the American Society that they may become independent, self‑supportive and well adjusted, happy individuals. This is not to imply that the unaccompanied refugee minor give up their heritage, rather that they adapt to a wholesome and healthy balance between the two cultures.

E. Responsible for providing opportunities for the unaccompanied refugee minor to maintain their 1) religion, 2) reading, writing and speaking in their native language, 3) music, and 4) food from their native country. The unaccompanied refugee minors should feel the freedom to choose individually and for themselves any of their cultural traditions that they value and wish to maintain. Respect for this individual's selection should be encouraged among the unaccompanied refugee minors by the Cultural Specialist.

F. Provide training on cultural shock to the unaccompanied refugee minor, Catholic Charities' Staff, foster parents and teachers.

G. Encourages the unaccompanied refugee minor to develop American friends.

II. Consultant

A. Available as a Consultant on the URM's ethnic heritage to the Catholic Charities' staff and foster families.

B. Informs Catholic Charities' Caseworkers/Therapist of unaccompanied refugee minors that are experiencing depression and/or difficulty in adapting to the foster family, school or community. Keeps Catholic Charities' staff well informed on youth's attitudes and behavior in order to prevent difficulties for youth and families.

C. Assist Foster Care Specialist in recruitment efforts and providing cultural training to potential foster parents.

D. Assist with immigration matters (i.e. locate and consult with immigration

attorney(s), writing affidavits, obtaining releases etc.)

III. Translator

A. Serves as a translator for Catholic Charities' staff and unaccompanied refugee minor. Coordinates his/her schedule well in advance with the individuals seeking service.

B. Occasionally serves as a public relations translator for refugees in the community or other social service agencies needing a translator in order to better provide service to their clients.

C. When unavailable to serve as a translator, assist the individual and/or other service agencies locate another translator. This assistance may be a referral to another individual or personally contacting another translator.

IV. Special Program Activities

A. Coordinate and plan with Catholic Charities' Staff activities for the unaccompanied refugee minors that provide opportunities for the youth to maintain their 1) music, 2) reading, writing and speech in their native language, 3) food and 4) religion.

B. Consults, coordinates schedules, and special program activities for ethnic holidays, group meetings and camping trips with the Catholic Charities' staff, foster parents and unaccompanied refugee minors.

C. Assist with transporting the minor(s) to cultural

activities and medical

appointment(s), as needed.

D. Complete applications for permanent resident card(s)

E. Assist adult refugees obtain important legal do

documentation upon arrival to the

United States and assist with helping adult refugees connect within the community, as needed

KNOWLEDGE/ EXPERIENCE:

• A Bachelor’s Degree is preferred, but experience in refugee work may be substituted for this degree.

• He/she should be bi-lingual and/or tri-lingual in English and the language of the unaccompanied refugee minors.

• Ability to relate compassionately, non-judgmentally, and professionally to culturally diverse youth.

• Good public relation skills.

• Ability to work with and relate professionally to culturally diverse youth

• Exhibits patience and good listening skills with less fluent English speaking youth.

• Excellent verbal communication skills using basic English with less fluent English

Speaking youth.

Valid Mississippi driver’s license and driving record that will not incur increased insurance rates.

1. Must be able to read, write and speak English.

2. Must be physically and emotionally capable of performing the essential functions of the job.

3. Must be emotionally stable.

4. Must continue to achieve a satisfactory rating on the annual performance evaluation.

5. Average verbal and written communication skills.

6. Must have access to and be able to drive a vehicle day or night.

7. Bending, lifting and manual dexterity are required to perform office functions associated with the job.

8. Must be able to process an abundance of information and make reasonable and sound decisions in a timely manner.

9. Must be physically alert, stable and able to work with minimal supervision.

10. Must demonstrate maturity and flexibility in stressful and emotionally demanding situations.