Client Advocate Social Worker

Nationalities Service Center•Philadelphia, PA

31d•Hybrid

About The Position

Nationalities Service Center (NSC) serves more than 3,000 immigrants and refugees each year from over 110 countries. We provide comprehensive services in immigration law matters, community transition and integration, access to health and wellness, language proficiency, and job readiness training for immigrants and refugees. NSC’s mission is to welcome and empower immigrants to thrive in our communities and pursue a just future. Our vision is that all immigrants achieve a life of safety and stability, sustainable opportunities, and meaningful community connections. The Client Advocate Social Worker will be part of the Wellness Department, supervised by the Senior Manager of Wellness, and will work across NSC programs providing additional client resource and crisis referral support. In addition, they will provide referral support to clients without case management, walk-in clients, and former clients. It is required that the Supportive Services Advocate have a minimum of 3 years social work experience and have a solid understanding of social service referrals in Philadelphia and the surrounding counties.

Requirements

Master’s in social work with a minimum of 3 years of social work experience required.
Strong knowledge navigating social services in Philadelphia Region.
Skilled in de-escalation techniques.
Strong/growing knowledge of immigrant community local resources and ability to connect clients to these resources.
Dedication to the human rights of refugees, immigrants, asylum seekers and displaced people.
Strong trauma-responsive service provision and crisis intervention skills.
Excellent organizational, verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills, and ability to prioritize duties in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to utilize technology effectively within daily work.
Must value exhibiting respect for others, maintenance of confidential information and an appreciation of a multicultural workplace.
Must pass a criminal background and child abuse clearances.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with immigrant communities highly preferred.
100% fluency in client-relevant language (e.g., Spanish, Arabic, Dari/Pashto, Swahili, Haitian Creole) is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Triage both internal and external requests and referrals.
Coordinate with referred clients to address needs.
Advocate for services for referred clients.
Facilitate follow-up care for Critical Incident Protocol.
Conduct Critical Incidents for clients without case manager.
Manage non-client walk-ins and critical incidents.
Cover front desk reception and walk on the 3 in office days (12:30-1:30pm).
Monitor and respond to emails, calls, and walk-ins about NSC services and connect individuals to the appropriate internal program or external resource.
Assist with basic needs support and referrals for clients without active case management (not case management, but as needed short-term assistance and referrals only).
Monitor and respond to Former Client Question Line.
Assist client with emergency/temporary housing.
Educate clients on how to access basic and emergency services.
Provide field supervision for up to 5 MSW interns (individual and group).
Assist with any potential community crisis by gathering resources, conducting outreach, and supporting clients.
Develop partnerships with external referral partners and emergency response.
Maintain and update NSC resource guides.
Remain up to date with policy changes that affect service access.