Social Service Navigator

Job Overview/ Summary:

IRC seeks a bilingual Social Service Navigator to join the Children’s Legal Services team in Maryland to provide referrals and support to unaccompanied minors released to sponsors in Maryland. The Social Service Navigator will identify service needs and facilitate access to appropriate community services for assistance in education, housing, mental health, benefits, and any other additional support related to their legal case. The Social Service Navigator will also establish relationships with local and state social service partners. This position supports a team of attorneys and other legal program staff who provide direct legal services to assist children in immigration proceedings.

The Social Service Navigator will report to the Managing Attorney.This position requires an individual who is patient, passionate about children, and prepared to work with vulnerable children of all ages and their sponsors. The Social Service Navigator will have stellar interpersonal and trauma-informed listening skills, be highly organized, have excellent attention to detail, and be able to work both in a collaborative team environment and independently on assignments.

Major Responsibilities:

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the items listed below.

• Assist clients with accessing resources in the community and coordinate with other IRC program staff, and community partners to provide appropriate wrap-around services;
• Develop and foster partnerships with community organizations focused on housing, education, employment and special services for children and young adults;
• Assist in referring eligible clients to enroll in federal and state medical and financial benefit programs and attend appointment with clients when necessary;
• Communicate with clients to provide case status updates, request documents and other information, schedule appointments, and manage other communication as needed;
• On occasion, assist on legal cases when needed;
• Prepare referral packages for children who move out of the local jurisdiction;
• Maintain complete and organized case files of client records and documents;
• Ensure data is inputted timely and accurately to comply with internal and external program requirements;
• Case note and document all appropriate clients’ contacts and activities as directed;
• Participate in all program meetings and staff development activities;
• Comply with all IRC policies and protocols; and
• Other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements:

• An undergraduate degree or equivalent work experience in the social work field;
• Fluency in both Spanish and English required;
• Experience with working with children or individuals afflicted with trauma highly desirable;
• Excellent attention to detail, ability to multi-task, and comfort working in a fast-paced environment;
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, solve problems and exercise sound judgement;
• Evidence of capacity to be a strong team member in a highly collaborative environment;
• Deep commitment to working with immigrants, children, asylum seekers;
• Trauma-informed and sensitive listening and communication skills;
• Personal integrity in handling ethically complex and confidential situations; and
• Strong computer literacy, research, and analysis skills.

Working Environment***:***

• Standard office environment with occasional participation in community outreach events; Hybrid, flexible work options available.
• Occasional evening and weekend hours may be required.
• Local travel to serve both the Baltimore and Silver Spring MD IRC offices required.

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.