JOB DESCRIPTION

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) supports unaccompanied children throughout the U.S. 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 Case manager’s primary role is to conduct 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 (ORR) custody. The secondary role (as needed) is to provide post release services to help unaccompanied children and sponsors meet their presenting needs. The Home Study Case Manager 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.

This position will be funded through September 30, 2026. It is currently open to internal candidates until Tuesday, 9/16. Afterwards, it will be open to both internal and external candidates.

Major Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Conduct an initial interview with the child while in ORR care.
• Conduct an interview with ORR care provider staff including case managers and clinicians.
• Conduct an in-person home visit for the home study and complete an in-person interview with the sponsor, all household members, and assess the safety of the home.
• Quickly complete a detailed home study report by providing a recommendation within ORR timeframes, which include weekends and holidays.
• As needed, as part of the post release services program, complete 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. There is a minimum of in-person contact with the child at 14, 90- and 180-days.

• Develop an 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 mental health assessment of the child.

• 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).

• 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.

Leadership responsibilities:

• Co-facilitate case staffing calls when Casework supervisor is not available.
• Review Post Release Services report when Casework supervisor is not available.
• Provide training and job shadowing opportunities to new team members, while offering mentorship and consultation to the wider network.
• Attend regular leadership trainings.

Job Requirements include but are not limited to:

• Home Study Case Managers have more frequent travel expectations and also participate in rapid response travel as needed.
• Home Study Case managers must have experience in conducting Home Studies and must be skilled at writing professional, thorough assessment reports.
• Home Study Case Managers need to have knowledge of local community social services and should have specialized experience working with immigrant populations.
• Home Study Case managers should be knowledgeable about family preservation, kinship care, and/or general child welfare.
• At minimum, Home Study Case Managers must have a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree or an equivalent degree in education, psychology, sociology, or other behavioral science equivalent.
• Home Study Case Managers must have at least 2 years of case management experience with at least 1 year of experience working with unaccompanied children in ORR care or with a Home Study and Post Release Services program.
• Knowledge of local community social services and navigating the social service system

• Written and verbal fluency in Spanish and English.

• Demonstrated success working and communicating effectively in a multi-cultural environment.

• 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 within a geographic region.
• Possess a valid driver’s license and access to a personal, insured vehicle that is reliable and in good working order.
• ORR approval of candidates 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.

Working Environment: The Home Study Case Manager provides in-person home studies and case management throughout a geographic region and is expected to travel approximately 70% of time. Home Study Case Managers will have a variable work schedule that often includes non-traditional hours such as evenings and weekends to accommodate sponsors’ and children’s schedules. A private, dedicated workspace is required. Home Study Case Manager’s receive extensive training to support their confidence and competence in their work.

Compensation: (Pay Range: $29.00 – $35.22) 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.

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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.