Caseworker

Job Overview: The Caseworker provides trauma-informed services to refugees and other qualified immigrants to support a positive resettlement experience and the achievement of client self-sufficiency. The Caseworker works closely with clients, colleagues, and external parties to develop service and/or self-sufficiency plans to meet individual client needs and preferences utilizing a broad range of financial, medical, social, vocational, and other services and resources in accordance with client eligibility and program requirements. The Caseworker will provide services in Lynchburg, Virginia and will be a member of the staff based out of IRC Charlottesville office, which will provide oversight and supervision to all programming in Lynchburg. Regular travel to Charlottesville for training and meetings will be required.

Major Responsibilities:

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Coordinate timely pre- and post-arrival services to ensure each client has living essentials such as access to furnished housing, food, medical care, and transportation, and is oriented to their new environment.
• Conduct intake services and assessments with clients to ascertain needs and provide corresponding orientation to programs, services, and American culture. Sufficiency plans and timelines in partnership with each client. Provide individualized support through direct services, referrals, and advocacy.
• Coordinate services to refugee children and their parents, including school orientation and enrollment and follow up services in partnership with local schools to support students so they can achieve educational success through regular school attendance and participation in school activities.
• Develop comprehensive employment plans and budget strategies for each employable adult.
• Develop and cultivate long-term relationships with area employers and staffing agencies to identify appropriate employment opportunities for clients.
• Provide job readiness and job search coaching and connect clients with employment opportunities and follow up as needed to support placement and retention.
• Identify and secure safe, sanitary, and affordable housing for newly arriving refugees in compliance with established program requirements.
• Conduct ongoing outreach to current and potential landlords and property managers, building strong working relationships with the goal of increasing access to housing for refugee families.
• Coordinate logistics of housing set-ups including ordering furniture and supplies; arrange utility hook-ups, facilitate lease signings, and conduct home safety inspections.
• Monitor client progress to support their attainment of established goals, address challenges, and to ensure that available resources are utilized.
• Document each client interaction in accordance with program requirements. Input client information in database(s) and assist with tracking and reporting as needed.
• Collaborate effectively with coworkers and partner organizations. Build and maintain relationships with area service providers for the benefit of clients.
• Use personal, insured vehicle and/or public transportation (where available) to travel and transport clients and materials as needed throughout the service delivery area.
• May train and lead the activities of volunteers and interns.
• Other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements:

Education: Bachelor’s degree in social work or related field of study preferred.

Work Experience:

• Relevant professional experience in human services or related field required; minimum of 2 years’ experience strongly preferred.
• Experience working with refugee and/or immigrant populations strongly preferred.

Demonstrated Skills & Competencies:

• Strong knowledge of and familiarity with the city of Lynchburg. Ideal candidates will have an extensive existing network of relevant contacts in the city (i.e. public agencies, school system, local universities, private sector, faith-based institutions, etc.)
• Strong relationship building, diplomacy, and networking skills; ability to effectively build internal and external relationships.
• Demonstrated success working and communicating effectively in a multi-cultural environment.
• Self-starter with excellent problem-solving skills combined with the proven ability to multi-task, prioritize duties, and manage time effectively.
• Attention to detail and accuracy in work product.
• Fluent in English, both spoken and written; proficiency in language(s) spoken by IRC’s current client base a plus, including Arabic, Spanish, Dari and/or Pashto.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook); ability to use the internet and other digital tools for data entry, research, and problem-solving purposes.
• Valid driver’s license and access to a personal, insured vehicle.

Working Environment:

• A combination of remote work, and ‘field’ time within the service delivery area to perform the above outlined responsibilities.
• May require occasional weekend and/or evening work.

Compensation: 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.

Gender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances.

Equal Opportunity Employer: We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

US Benefits: The IRC offers a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. All US employees are eligible for sick time, a 403b retirement savings plans: up to 4.5% immediately vested matching contribution, plus an 3-7% additional IRC contribution, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support in times of crisis and mental health struggles.

In addition, full-time employees are eligible for 10 US paid holidays, 20-25 paid time off days, disability & life insurance, medical, dental, and vision insurance (employee contribution starting at $135, $7, and $5 per month respectively) and FSA for healthcare, childcare, and commuter costs. Part-time employees are eligible for a proportionate amount of paid time off. These additional benefits apply to employees who work at least 6 months within a 12 month time period.