Senior Caseworker, HSPRS

This job posting was opened on 2/26/25. Please note that we will be considering applications from internal employees and former IRC Staff exclusively for the first 5 days. After this period, if necessary, we will extend the opportunity to external candidates.

SCOPE OF WORK:

The IRC's Home Study and Post-Release Services (HSPRS) for unaccompanied children in the U.S. is growing from six current IRC offices to more than 17 offices throughout the US. This is a national, multi-million-dollar project with ambitious delivery goals in a short time frame.This is a limited term position anticipated to continue through September 2026 contingent on funding.

The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, 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.

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).

TheHome Study and Post Release Services Senior Caseworker (Level 2) conducts 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 custody and provides post release services to help unaccompanied children and sponsors meet their presenting needs. The Senior Case Manager (Level 2) 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.

Major Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Conduct an initial 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; requirement that there at a minimum be in person contact at 14, 90- and 180-days.
• Develop 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 comprehensive assessment to provide a recommendation for the purpose of reunifying children with their potential sponsors, including conducting interviews with shelter case managers, clinicians, the minor, sponsor, and all household members. This includes completing an in-person home visit and documenting findings in a comprehensive report within 10 days of referral.
• Conduct a mental health assessment of the child and/or sponsors, using validated instruments.
• Continually assess ongoing changes in behavior and general conditions that could impact the safety, wellbeing, and successofchildren
• 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.); and Integration and independence support as appropriate.
• 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.

Job Requirements include but are not limited to:

• Bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, sociology, or other relevant behavioral science
• Written and verbal fluency in Spanish and English
• Minimum of two years of related professional experience working with children, family reunification/ preservation, kinship care, foster care, child welfare, and/or conducting home studies required, or one year of related experience with a master's degree
• Experience working with various populations; experience working with unaccompanied minors preferred
• Knowledge of local community social servicesand navigating the social service system
• Demonstrated success working and communicating effectively in various global environments and contexts
• 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 up to 200 miles. Often nights and weekends. May need to do a rotation of being "on call" at a regular interval.
• Possess a valid driver's license and access to a personal, insured vehicle that is reliable and in good working order.
• ORR approval of candidate 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 Level 2 Caseworker provides virtual case management however the caseworker will be required to attend in person meetings at the discretion of the local office. A variable work schedule / hours including non-traditional hours such as evenings and weekends will be required to accommodate sponsors' and children's schedules.

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.

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.

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.