Childcare Business Specialist

Job Background/Overview:

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is seeking a full-time Childcare Business Specialist to support the Refugee Childcare program for a period of one year with the anticipated end date of September 30, 2025. This role will support Afghan families to start in-home licensed childcare businesses as a means to economic self-sufficiency. 

Since its inception in 1933, the IRC delivers lasting impact to refugees fleeing from war or disaster by offering lifesaving care, life-changing assistance, and empowering individuals and communities to become self-reliant. This role is part of the Economic Empowerment program which support refugees, immigrants, and other marginalized populations to realize economic well-being. 

The ideal candidate will have familiarity with early childhood development, strong organizational and coordination skills, and experience recruiting clients for programs. Additionally, the candidate should be a self-starter, a quick learner of various data management systems, and have strong interpersonal skills. 

Major Responsibilities: 

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Conduct outreach to recruit eligible participants for the RFCCMED program.
• Screen, assess, orient, and enroll eligible participants.
• Plan and host workshops and training on owning, operating, and sustaining in-home childcare businesses.
• Assist program participants in preparing their childcare spaces to pass state licensing inspection.
• Communicate and collaborate with partners on licensure, ongoing support, and early childhood education training for program participants.
• Collect and input program data into appropriate files and databases for reporting and evaluation.
• Attend childcare forums in the greater Seattle area to network and create partnerships for the RFCCMED program.

• Perform other related duties as assigned

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to: Childcare Program Coordinator

Essential Qualifications: 

Bachelor’s degree or 2 years’ experience/ knowledge. 

Desired Qualifications:

• Lived experience as a refugee or immigrant preferred.
• Fluency in English and an additional language relevant to current populations served such as Farsi, Dari and Pashto.
• Experience in entrepreneurship, small business development, or home-based childcare business development, particularly in Washington State.
• Experience in adult education, training, community building, and/or community development.
• Previous experience working with individuals from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds and varying levels of literacy and numeracy.
• Experience and training in trauma-informed and person-centered services

Working Environment:

• This hybrid role involves working in the office, at home, and in the community. Candidates must have a reliable personal vehicle for required travel within the service area.

Compensation: Posted pay ranges apply to US-based candidates. Ranges are based on various factors including the labor market, job type, internal equity, and budget.  Exact offers are calibrated by work location, individual candidate experience and skills relative to the defined job requirements.

Equal Opportunity Employer: We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

US Benefits: The IRC offers a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. All US employees are eligible for sick time, a 403b retirement savings plans: up to 4.5% immediately vested matching contribution, plus an 3-7% additional IRC contribution, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support in times of crisis and mental health struggles.

In addition, full-time employees are eligible for 10 US paid holidays, 20-25 paid time off days, disability & life insurance, medical, dental, and vision insurance (employee contribution starting at $135, $7, and $5 per month respectively) and FSA for healthcare, childcare, and commuter costs. Part-time employees are eligible for a proportionate amount of paid time off. These additional benefits apply to employees who work at least 6 months within a 12 month time period.