Senior Caseworker, HSPRS (Level 2)

International Rescue Committee • Elizabeth, NJ

1d • $31 - $32

About The Position

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. The IRC’s Home Study and Post-Release Services (HSPRS) for unaccompanied children in the U.S. is growing from six current IRC offices to more than 17 offices throughout the US. This is a national, multi-million-dollar project with ambitious delivery goals in a short time frame. This position is part of an anticipated 36-month contract. The goals of the Home-Study Post Release Services Program (HS/PRS) are to: - Assess the safety and suitability of a sponsor before an unaccompanied child is released from custody into a sponsor’s care (Home Study) - Provide case management support via remote and / or conducting in-home visits to ensure the continued safety and stability of children in sponsor’s homes and linking children to resources in the community (Post Release Services). The Home Study and Post Release Services Senior Caseworker (Level 2) conducts home studies to determine a potential sponsor’s ability to meet an unaccompanied child’s needs upon release from the Office of Refugee Resettlement’s custody and provides post release services to help unaccompanied children and sponsors meet their presenting needs. The Senior Case Manager (Level 2 ) is responsible for assessing safety, developing a strengths-based service plan, providing psychoeducation, developing safety plans where needed, ongoing assessment, and referring and connecting children to community-based services.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, sociology, or other relevant behavioral science
• Written and verbal fluency in Spanish and English
• Minimum of two years of related professional experience working with children, family reunification/ preservation, kinship care, foster care, child welfare, and/or conducting home studies required, or one year of related experience with a master’s degree
• Knowledge of local community social services and navigating the social service system
• Demonstrated success working and communicating effectively in various global environments and contexts
• Proven ability to contribute both independently and as a key team member
• Self-starter with excellent problem-solving skills combined with the ability to prioritize duties and manage time effectively
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook), Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and other platforms
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to travel up to 70% of the time up to 200 miles. Often nights and weekends. May need to do a rotation of being "on call" at a regular interval.
• Possess a valid driver’s license and access to a personal, insured vehicle that is reliable and in good working order.
• ORR approval of candidate is required along with clearance from Child and Abuse Neglect background checks and FBI fingerprints. These checks will be initiated by the IRC after acceptance of the position.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with immigrant populations; experience working with unaccompanied minors preferred

Responsibilities

• Conduct an initial in-home assessment with child and sponsors followed by regular weekly or monthly contact depending on safety and need for six months or until their 18th birthday or the child obtains legal relief; requirement that there at a minimum be in person contact at 14, 90- and 180-days.
• Develop individualized service plan that guides the provision of high quality, trauma-informed case management services.
• Complete home visits to meet with children and their sponsors post-release, to assess the safety of the child, flag any safety and protection concerns, and assess needs across multiple life domains.
• Conduct a comprehensive assessment to provide a recommendation for the purpose of reunifying children with their potential sponsors, including conducting interviews with shelter case managers, clinicians, the minor, sponsor, and all household members. This includes completing an in-person home visit and documenting findings in a comprehensive report within 10 days of referral.
• Conduct a mental health assessment of the child and/or sponsors, using validated instruments.
• Continually assess ongoing changes in behavior and general conditions that could impact the safety, wellbeing, and success of children
• Partner with crisis support staff to develop safety plans and ensure appropriate crisis intervention support when necessary, including involving Child Protective Services, law enforcement and various local stakeholders that can include placement disruptions.
• Provide referral and connection to: Legal services; Education and English language classes; Medical care and behavioral healthcare; Placement stability and safety services; Assistance with immigration proceedings; Assistance with guardianship proceedings; Family stabilization/counseling; Substance abuse treatment; Gang prevention services; Youth programming (such as youth mentoring, tutoring, afterschool and vocation programs, sports clubs, or other extracurricular clubs, etc.); Services related to various global environments and contexts; and Integration and independence support as appropriate.
• Use a child centered, developmentally appropriate and trauma-informed approach to address the needs and concerns of children and sponsors.
• Maintain a strong understanding of trauma-informed principles and approaches, protection and safeguarding, and mandatory reporting.
• Provide timely documentation of all check-ins, in-home visits, referrals and referral outcomes, and progress and outcomes in case file.
• Build and maintain relationships with community services providers in relevant areas.
• Maintain accurate records in electronic case files and required databases.
• Submit required reports and documentation in a timely manner.
• Ensure the confidentiality of children and their cases.

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 $163 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees