Social Worker/Custody and Removal Coordinator

Lukos•Bakersfield, CA

11d•Onsite

About The Position

The Custody and Removal Coordinator (CRC) assists ERO Field Office and detention facility staff in maintaining a safe detention environment. The CRC provides services and support to detained individuals on issues commonly affecting the ICE detained population and ICE mission, including victim support, trauma, sexual abuse and assault, domestic violence, human trafficking, and medical and mental health care. The position is based at a designated ICE detention facility or ICE office and supports ERO Field Office and facility staff in their daily duties. The role also supports removal and release planning for individuals with vulnerabilities and those in the general population, including researching referrals and resources, preparing individualized departure plans, and developing a national resource database. The position is full-time, Monday through Friday on day shift, with specific hours determined by ERO Headquarters and the Field Office. Workday and/or overnight travel may be required, particularly during crisis-related surge support at designated ICE locations; travel is reimbursed. The work takes place in a stressful and often austere environment and requires standing on hard surfaces for extended periods. Candidates must be U.S. citizens and receive favorable fitness determinations from the Department of Homeland Security Personnel Security Unit. A current American Heart Association Basic Life Support certification or American Red Cross CPR/BLS certification is required. Candidates must also provide proof of a negative TB skin test and immunization for Hepatitis B, MMR, Varicella, and Influenza.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, or an equivalent degree from an institution or program accredited by an entity recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Fluency in English and Spanish, both written and oral.
At least two years of related experience, such as providing services to victims, trauma-informed programming, or working with immigrants or foreign-born individuals.
Knowledge of program objectives, policies, procedures, and requirements for conducting a local-level case management program.
Experience working in or with victims or individuals in a confinement or custodial setting.
At least two years of experience providing services to vulnerable populations.
Experience and understanding of circumstances that contribute to family or individual stress, problems, and crises.
Knowledge of the case management process commensurate with at least bachelor’s-level training and education.
Ability to work in a multicultural and multilingual environment and to use telephonic interpreter or translation services when needed.
Ability to adapt to sudden schedule changes and flexible work requirements.
Proficient English verbal and written communication skills and the ability to develop positive rapport with patients, coworkers, and stakeholders.
Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships in a multidisciplinary environment.
Ability to navigate electronic work environments, including electronic health records, web-based training, and communications.
Moderate proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and SharePoint, and ability to operate a PC with standard business software.
Strong oral and written communication, project creation and management, interpersonal, critical-thinking, and cultural-competency skills; integrity and honesty.
U.S. citizenship.
Favorable Initial Preliminary Fitness Determination and, upon completion of initial and subsequent background investigations, a Complete Favorable Fitness Determination from the Department of Homeland Security Personnel Security Unit.
Ability to perform duties in a stressful and often austere environment without physical limitations, including standing on cement floors for long periods.
Availability to work Monday through Friday on day shift; specific hours are determined by ERO Headquarters and the Field Office.
Current certification in either the American Heart Association Basic Life Support Course or the American Red Cross CPR/BLS Course.
Proof of a negative TB skin test and immunization for Hepatitis B, MMR, Varicella, and Influenza.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree or equivalent advanced degree.
Experience in a detention, correctional, or residential healthcare setting.

Responsibilities

Assist with detained noncitizens’ needs, requests, and complaints concerning non-officer or immigration-case-related issues.
Assist ERO officers with requests related to parent-child communication and child welfare involvement.
Facilitate disability accommodations and coordinate follow-up with detention facilities when requested by ERO.
Help ERO and detention facility staff comply with applicable agency policies and detention standards.
Facilitate discussions with detained noncitizens on matters including sexual abuse and assault allegations, pregnancy identification and monitoring, resources for individuals in segregated housing or special management units, and admission and release.
Address staff questions or concerns about specific noncitizens and available services.
Refer noncitizens to appropriate ERO and detention facility staff for care and follow-up, including medical, mental health, and chaplain services.
Support noncitizens with specialized needs or requiring heightened attention, and conduct wellness checks and follow-ups when requested by ERO Field Office or ERO Headquarters.
Meet with newly detained noncitizens during or after intake to answer questions, address concerns, and provide an introduction to the facility and CRC services.
Assist ERO Field Offices with specialized housing units and programs or services for vulnerable populations, including housing for transgender noncitizens, behavioral or mental health units, family residential centers, reunification of relatives and children in federal custody, and young adult case management services.
Provide language interpretation for facility and ERO staff communicating with detained noncitizens.
Provide general support as needed to help maintain detention facility safety and security.
Assist ERO Field Offices with removal planning by researching referrals, identifying resources in noncitizens’ home countries, and developing individualized departure plans.
Assist with release planning by researching referrals and identifying needed U.S. resources, potentially including communication with family, medical or mental health care, housing, shelter, or hospital or institutional placement.
Develop and maintain a national database of resources in and outside the United States to support release and removal of noncitizens leaving ICE custody.