The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.
Job Overview: The Senior Wellness Specialist supports the mental health and resilience of individuals and families who have been forcibly displaced, providing one-on-one peer support, case management, and group-based services. This client-facing role includes one on one support, offering psychoeducation and skill-building workshops, and facilitating MHPSS groups. The Senior Wellness Specialist also coordinates program logistics, recruit participants, documents services, and supports evaluation through data collection. Additionally, they connect clients to appropriate mental health resources, assist with care coordination, and collaborate with supervisors to provide crisis support as needed.
Major Responsibilities:
Client Engagement & Support
• Process client referrals and conduct initial intakes for all clients.
• Provide Skills for Psychology Recovery (SPR) services to clients. This includes one on one psychosocial support.
• Provide mental health navigation case management.
• Provide individualized intake, assessment, orientation, support, referral, and advocacy services by assessing and evaluating each participant’s distinct needs
• Develop individualized action plans with clearly defined goals and activities based on assessment findings.
• Identify community resources to meet client needs.
• With support from supervisor, refer clients requiring higher levels of mental health care to culturally and linguistically appropriate providers.
• Support crisis assessment and intervention for program participants in collaboration with supervisor.
• Handle complex cases requiring multi-agency coordination or advanced advocacy in collaboration with supervisor.
• Document client interactions and program activities through detailed case notes and data entry.
Program Facilitation
• Facilitate MHPSS group programs, ensuring alignment with contract guidelines.
• Facilitate psychoeducation and skill-building group sessions using evidence-based approaches under supervision.
• Recruit and enroll participants for MHPSS programs.
• Plan and organize logistics for MHPSS programs, including scheduling, transportation, materials, and space coordination.
• Complete required AV training and apply learned skills in program delivery.
• Support development of MHPSS group curricula based on client feedback and evolving needs.
• Ensure compliance with case file and documentation management and reporting requirements.
Monitoring & Evaluation
• Prepare and administer pre and post program surveys for participants with guidance from supervisor.
• Support with monitoring and evaluation data entry for MHPSS programs.
• Assist in evaluating current services and identifying opportunities for new program offerings.
• Use IRC software to document client information and other program materials.
• Identify trends and propose program improvements based on evaluation findings.
Administrative & Team Support
• Attend and actively participate in team meetings, staff meetings, and relevant IRC trainings and conference calls.
• Collaborate with supervisor and team members to ensure program quality and compliance.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support the success of MHPSS programming.
• Contribute to strategic planning for wellness programming across multiple sites or populations.
• Recruit, onboard, and supervise MHPSS Interns and volunteers; utilize IRC’s People Management Standards including regular team and individual meetings, clear expectations, effective feedback, and responsive support.
Key Working Relationships:
Position Reports to: MHPSS Program Manager
Position Supervises: N/A
Indirect Reporting: Senior Officer, Protection and Social Work
Other Internal and/or External Contacts:
• Internal: Other IRC Seattle program teams, IRC Seattle Finance and Operations teams, IRC Seattle Development, External Communications, and Volunteer support teams, Mental Health Technical Adviser, Evidence-based intervention trainers
• External: Mental health providers and systems, partner organizations
Job Requirements:
• Relevant degree or equivalent professional and/or lived experience with social work, social service provision, psychosocial support, mental health, community engagement and support, or other relevant areas
• Lived experience as a refugee or immigrant is preferred
• In lieu of lived experience, experience working with refugees and/or immigrants; cross-cultural or overseas experience accepted
• Professional proficiency in English and one or more of the following languages preferred: Ukrainian, Dari, Pashto, or Swahili
• Prior experience working with refugees and/or community organizing, preferably with communities who have been traditionally marginalized, oppressed, or faced barriers to opportunity and support and related to health or mental health
• Familiarity with issues facing refugee and immigrant communities as they relate to trauma, adjustment, and mental health
• Ability to assess needs, prioritize and develop action plans
• Ability to advocate and liaise with health and social service systems
• Excellent problem-solving skills combined with the proven ability to multi-task, prioritize duties and manage time effectively
• Strong communication skills (written and verbal)
• Ability to work independently and as a team member in a fast-paced, cross-cultural environment
• Demonstrated success working and communicating effectively across lines of difference with respect to race, gender, ethnicity, language, religion and age
• Ability to follow strict guidelines of client confidentiality and safeguarding
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook) and familiarity with data-tracking systems
• Valid driver’s license, access to reliable vehicle with current insurance
• Commitment to anti-racism and ongoing learning
Working Environment:
Flexible hybrid office environment (remote and in-office)
Compensation: (Pay Range: $28.00 - $32.00) 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.
Standard of Professional Conduct: The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality.
Cookies: https://careers.rescue.org/us/en/cookiesettings
US Benefits: We offer a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. In the US, these include: 10 sick days, 10 US holidays, 20-25 paid time off days depending on role and tenure, medical insurance starting at $143 per month, dental starting at $6.50 per month, and vision starting at $5 per month, FSA for healthcare and commuter costs, a 403b retirement savings plans with immediately vested matching, disability & life insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support counseling and care in times of crisis and mental health struggles.
Equal Opportunity Employer: IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 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, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.