Background:
Founded in 1933, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) is a leading non-sectarian, voluntary organization providing relief, protection, and resettlement services for refugees and victims of oppression or violent conflict. The IRC opened in Baltimore in 2006 and currently resettles or provides assistance to approximately 2,500 refugees and immigrants each year.
Scope:
The youth caseworker is responsible for managing a caseload of newly arrived school-aged humanitarian immigrant youth ages 0-21 for the initial resettlement period of one year and serving as a liaison between IRC, relevant schools, partners, agencies and families. The youth caseworker reports to the Youth Program Supervisor, and works closely with the resettlement, economic empowerment and health teams.
Responsibilities:
- Assist newly arrived families with school enrollment, including immunizations, educational certificates, proof of residence and other records. Coordinate introductory meetings with teachers, parents, and students.
- Assess educational background of each student to determine barriers to school attendance and success (medical, transportation). Develop individual service plans for each student.
- Facilitate school orientations, explaining the U.S. educational system, school culture, roles and responsibilities, U.S. laws, safety, etc.
- Provide case management services to include, but not limited to: referring and linking youth for services in the community, following up with other community service providers on youth progress, and coordinating with other IRC programs. Conduct follow-up home visits with students and their families to address integration issues; assist with scheduling and facilitating parent and adjustment groups.
- Maintain accurate and timely client case notes, referrals and case files as required by program guidelines.
- Support after school programming when relevant.
- Contribute to youth program development and organizational growth, strategic planning, outreach and advocacy activities and events as needed.
- Supervise youth case management interns.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Requirements:
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college in the field of education, counseling, social work, psychology, or a related human services field preferred.
- Experience working with at-risk youth, specifically in the context of educational and social programs; experience in case management and working with refugee and/or immigrant populations highly desirable.
- Demonstrated ability working as part of a multi-disciplinary team and fast-paced, multi-cultural environment.
- Excellent organizational, analytical, written and oral communication skills.
- Fluency in English required. Fluency in a second language (Arabic, Burmese, Farsi, French, Nepali, Spanish, Swahili) preferred.
- Strong computer skills: MS Word, Excel, Outlook, and web-based databases and applications.
- Some evening and weekend hours will be required.
- Valid driver’s license, reliable access to a vehicle with current insurance, and the ability to travel regularly throughout DMV area.
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.
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.
Commitment to Diversity and Inclusivity: IRC is committed to building a diverse organization and a climate of inclusivity. We strongly encourage applications from candidates who can demonstrate that they can contribute to this goal.
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.
Professional Standards: The IRC and IRC staff must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way – Global Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti-Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.
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: 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 $145 per month, dental starting at $7 per month, and vision starting at $5 per month, FSA for healthcare, childcare, and commuter costs, a 403b retirement savings plans with up to 4.5% immediately vested matching contribution, plus a 3-7% base IRC contribution (3 year vesting), 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.
