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.
This position is represented by the OPEIU union and subject to the terms and conditions of a collective bargaining agreement.
This position is open to candidates with existing work authorization in the location where the position is advertised.
Job Overview: The Senior Core Services Caseworker delivers trauma-informed support to refugee clients during their resettlement and post-resettlement periods, as well as to other eligible immigrant populations, including Cuban, Haitian, and Ukrainian clients. The Caseworker is responsible for promoting a positive resettlement experience and helping clients achieve self-sufficiency. This role involves close collaboration with clients, internal teams, and external partners to create individualized service and self-sufficiency plans. The Caseworker connects clients with a range of financial, medical, social, and vocational resources in alignment with program guidelines and client eligibility criteria.
Major Responsibilities:
The Senior Core Services Caseworker plays a critical role in ensuring that clients successfully transition to life in their new community and achieve self-sufficiency. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Client Intake, Assessment & Planning
- Conduct comprehensive intake services to assess individual and family needs, including housing, health, education, employment, and social services.
- Develop tailored self-sufficiency plans in collaboration with clients, outlining specific goals, timelines, and action steps to achieve self-reliance.
- Identify immediate needs and prioritize services such as securing housing, enrolling in benefits, and accessing medical services.
Pre- and Post-Arrival Coordination
- Ensure clients receive essential services upon arrival, including temporary or permanent housing, access to nutritious food, healthcare, and transportation support.
- Coordinate with internal departments and external service providers to facilitate timely delivery of services and resources.
- Provide ongoing orientation to clients on accessing services in their new community, including healthcare systems, public benefits, financial literacy, and transportation.
Direct Support, Advocacy & Case Management
- Offer individualized support to clients, ensuring they receive appropriate referrals to community resources such as schools, legal services, and mental health providers.
- Advocate on behalf of clients to help them overcome barriers in accessing services and exercising their rights.
- Monitor and assess client progress regularly, addressing challenges and updating self-sufficiency plans as needed to ensure successful outcomes.
- Facilitate connection to employment services in coordination with the employment team to support clients in gaining job readiness skills and securing suitable employment.
- Assist clients in completing critical documents, including benefit renewals, address change notifications (AR-11 forms), and other legal documentation.
Home Visits & Community Integration
- Conduct home visits to assess living conditions, provide follow-up services, and ensure clients are safe and stable.
- Help clients build community connections by facilitating their engagement with local services, cultural events, and educational workshops.
Financial Assistance & Budgeting
- Plan, request, and track direct assistance funds, ensuring expenditures are aligned with program requirements and client needs.
- Assist clients with financial planning, helping them budget for rent, utilities, and other essential expenses.
- Manage Matching Grant Program client finances, ensuring compliance with program guidelines and accurate reporting of funds disbursed.
Documentation & Reporting
- Maintain detailed case files and documentation for each client interaction, ensuring accuracy and compliance with program standards.
- Enter data into client databases and assist with program tracking and reporting requirements.
- Prepare reports as required by internal leadership and external funders.
Collaboration & Relationship Building
- Collaborate with internal teams such as Employment, Health, and Youth Services to ensure seamless service delivery.
- Build and maintain relationships with external service providers, such as healthcare organizations, schools, and community groups, to expand the support network for clients.
- Participate in cross-departmental meetings and community coalitions to strengthen partnerships and identify additional resources for clients.
Client Education & Workshops
- Develop and facilitate educational workshops for clients on topics such as navigating healthcare, job readiness, budgeting, tenant rights, and U.S. culture.
- Encourage and support client participation in group activities that promote learning, self-advocacy, and social integration.
Supervision & Volunteer Engagement
- Train, supervise, and coordinate the activities of interns and volunteers, ensuring they understand program goals and the needs of clients.
- Provide ongoing feedback and support to volunteers to maximize their contribution to client success.
Compliance, Ethical Standards & Safety
- Ensure compliance with all organizational policies, program guidelines, and ethical standards in the delivery of services.
- Maintain confidentiality and uphold the highest professional standards in all client interactions.
- Participate in ongoing training and professional development to stay current on best practices and program regulations.
Transportation & Logistics
- Use a personal, insured vehicle or public transportation to transport clients and materials as needed throughout the service delivery area.
- Assist clients in learning how to use public transportation to access essential services independently.
Other Responsibilities
- Support special projects and initiatives that enhance client services and improve program outcomes.
- Perform other duties as assigned to meet the evolving needs of clients and the organization.
Job Requirements:
Preference: Bilingual or multilingual candidates are strongly preferred. Proficiency in additional languages relevant to the client population is a plus.
Education: Bachelor’s degree in social work or related field of study preferred.
Work Experience:
- Required: Minimum of 2 years of professional experience in the human services field.
- Preferred: Experience working with refugee and/or immigrant communities.
Demonstrated Skills & Competencies:
- Relationship Building & Networking: Proven ability to build and maintain effective internal and external relationships through strong diplomacy, communication, and collaboration skills.
- Cross-Cultural Communication: Demonstrated success in working and communicating in a multicultural environment.
- Initiative & Problem-Solving: Self-motivated with excellent problem-solving abilities, capable of managing multiple tasks, setting priorities, and meeting deadlines efficiently.
- Detail-Oriented: Strong attention to detail and a commitment to producing accurate, high-quality work.
- Digital & Technical Skills: Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) and skilled in using the internet and digital tools for data entry, research, and problem-solving.
- Transportation: Must have a valid driver’s license and access to a personal, insured vehicle.
Working Environment:
- A combination of standard office environment, remote work, and ‘field’ time within the service delivery area to perform the above outlined responsibilities.
- May require occasional weekend and/or evening work.
This position is expected to end on January 30, 2027.
Compensation: (Pay Rate: $24.10 - $25.37/hr). 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.
Professional Standards: All International Rescue Committee workers must adhere to the core values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. Our Standards are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Safeguarding, Conflicts of Interest, Fiscal Integrity, and Reporting Wrongdoing and Protection from Retaliation. IRC is committed to take all necessary preventive measures and create an environment where people feel safe, and to take all necessary actions and corrective measures when harm occurs. IRC builds teams of professionals who promote critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity to deliver the best possible services to our clients.
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Benefits: Employees are eligible for a 403(b) retirement savings plan with employer match (immediate vesting) along with a non-elective employer contribution based on age and years of service (3-year vesting), paid sick leave in accordance with policy, and access to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), which provides confidential counseling and mental health support for employees and their families.
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.
