Spring Empower Volunteer Tutor

TITLE: NJ Spring Empower Volunteer Tutor

LOCATION: IN-PERSON

START DATE: March 2026

DURATION: 24 Sessions ~ 16 Weeks

POSITION REPORTS TO: Youth Programs Coordinator

SCHEDULE DETAILS: 90 Minutes Twice a Week

SCOPE OF WORK: The International Rescue Committee (IRC), works in the United States

welcomes newly arrived refugees and immigrants, supports them in their resettlement, and

provides holistic services to help them build new lives in their communities. As an introduction to

the position, this brief, but concise overview of the role should give the reader an understanding

of the important components of the job and how it fits into the mission of the program and IRC.

RESPONSIBILITIES: The IRC in New Jersey seeks volunteer tutors to support English language

learners among newcomer refugee youth who have been settled in New Jersey. Beginning with

in-person training sessions in March, volunteer tutors will work with refugee youth individually

within the home to improve English Language Acquisition/Learning. Tutors are academic coaches and positive role models who want to help IRC youth succeed in school. Tutors are not people who are expected to receive, give, or loan money.

Desired Qualities:

• Passionate about helping youth reach their potential
• Flexible, patient, and empathetic
• Critical thinking skills
• Committed, dependable, and punctual
• Creative; has a sense of fun
• An active listener
• Technologically competent (Ability to use Microsoft/Google Forms, virtual educational materials effectively, and google translate)
• Respectful in a global context around different languages and practices
• Comfortable and aware of support needs

Tutor Responsibilities:

• Provide one-on-one individualized in-home tutoring
• Work with assigned student for 90 minutes twice a week for 24 sessions, tutors will

engage their assigned student in 30 minutes of ESL homework support/assistance as

well as 30 minutes of ESL instruction (speaking, writing, and/or reading activities), with

the remaining time allocated for breaks, rapport building and

communication/coordination with caregivers

• Curates a welcoming environment that fosters community and learning among students
• Communicate regularly with the Youth Programs Coordinator, Instructional Design Specialist and caregivers regarding scheduling, student progress, tutor support, challenges, etc.
• Timely documentation and submission of the Tutor Log and Tutor Planner within 24 hours of the second tutoring session of the week
• Attend individual and group virtual Tutor Support Check-Ins once a month
• Comply with office policies and program procedures

REQUIREMENTS: Volunteers must be based in the U.S. Interns must be based in US, must be

a US citizen or have US work authorization, must be enrolled in post-secondary institution or have graduated from a post-secondary institution within last 2 years.

Tutor Requirements:

• Attend 1 in-person orientation and training session at the IRC Elizabeth office (2.5 Hours)
• Attend 3 online training modules with IRC HQ (4+ hours)
• Complete and clear background check
• Proactively communicate with caregivers to schedule in-home tutor sessions
• Have reliable/punctual transportation to and from the assigned student’s home twice a week
• Interact with global populations effectively and respectfully

Additional Desired Competencies:

• Proven ability to build community within individualized sessions and cultivate students’ commitment to academic learning
• Thorough, detailed knowledge and understanding of English grammar with the ability to modify lesson plans to reflect student’s needs and interests (age, grade level, etc.)
• Ability to interact with global populations and empathize with people unfamiliar with local culture
• Ethical and professional conduct that facilitates the building of a respectful, trusting, and collaborative relationship with caregivers
• Multilingual abilities in Spanish, Arabic, Dari, Pashto