Case Specialist, Shelter Services - Lowell, MA - International Institute of New England

The mission of the International Institute of New England (IINE) is to create opportunities for refugees and immigrants to succeed through resettlement, education, career advancement and pathways to citizenship. One of the oldest and largest human services organizations for New Americans in the region, IINE serves more than 4,000 people each year in Boston and Lowell, Massachusetts, and Manchester, New Hampshire. Our programs include case management, youth and family services, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), employment and skills training, and immigration legal services.

A dynamic, forward-looking, and rapidly growing non-profit organization, we seek well-qualified, solutions-focused candidates who are experts in their respective fields. Successful candidates will join a committed team of professional staff and volunteers who are devoted to welcoming and serving new Americans.

Overview

The Shelter Services Case Specialist provides case management, public assistance enrollment and assistance to migrant clients and their families located in temporary shelters. The objective of the program is to help clients in accessing services, removing barriers to basic needs in order to promote self-efficacy. The role will be specifically focused on working with migrants living in hotels within a 30-to-60-minute drive of our Boston and Lowell Offices. Reporting to the Director of Shelter Services, this position offers a unique opportunity to respond to the state of emergency recently declared by Governor Healey and provide support to migrants in need.

This position is through December 2024 and contingent on funding for renewal.

Position: Case Specialist, Shelter Services

• Department: Shelter Services
• Reports to: Shelter Services Manager
• Supervises: N/A
• Status: Non-Exempt, Full-Time
• Location: Lowell, MA
• Position Format: Hybrid
• Pay: $25.25/hour

Benefits:

Full-time employees will be eligible for all benefits including Personal Time Off (PTO), sick days, and twelve paid holidays. You may participate in all benefit programs that IINE establishes and makes available to eligible employees, under (and subject to all provisions of) the plan documents that govern those programs. Currently, IINE offers medical, dental and vision. Company-paid life insurance, company-paid short-term disability (STD), long term disability (LTD), accidental death and dismemberment and disability coverage, Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), other benefits including 403(b) with company match plan(s) pursuant to the terms and conditions of company policy and the 403(b)-plan document. Other perks such as discounts through our vision plan, fitness reimbursement and more.

Responsibilities

• Conduct standardized intakes with each individual to determine eligibility for services and benefits.
• Enroll eligible clients in food stamps (SNAP), cash assistance (TAFDC), health insurance (MassHealth) and Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC).
• Provide referrals to relevant health, social, housing, educational, and employment-related services.
• Support school enrollment for children.
• Refer clients for Refugee Health Assessments and other health related appointments.
• Provide comprehensive case management services to clients including case planning, visiting, program enrollment, advocacy, and coordinate core services appointments.
• Coordinate client services to accomplish goals of individual, family self-sufficiency and exit strategy.
• Assist clients in obtaining state-issue identification and driver’s license, including support in enrollment in driver’s ed classes.
• Triage difficult situations, medical and behavioral cases, and RHA, DTA, school enrollment, and SNAP complications.
• Counsel and assist families in adjusting to life in the United States and attaining appropriate services.
• Coordinate closely with other programs and services, including appropriate state and local organizations for assistance in locating housing resources.
• Develop and maintain relationships with community service providers.
• Keep professional and accurate documentation using centralized database, including assessments, client documentation, and case notes.
• Attend staff meetings and weekly Client-focused meeting.
• Perform all other duties assigned by supervisor.

Required Skills/Abilities

• Proficiency in additional languages required, particularly Haitian-Creole, Spanish or French.
• Experience working with people in shelters preferred.
• Experience working with immigrant populations preferred.
• Interest in international, refugee, and asylee issues
• Ability to work with clients needing a range of support services.
• Excellent organizational, verbal, written, and interpersonal skills.
• A command of Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint required.
• Solid knowledge of public benefits processes and systems and ability to learn new systems
• Extremely well organized, detail oriented, flexible, and able to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• High levels of discretion and maturity in dealing with confidential information.
• Ability to work under pressure and remain calm and composed in stressful situations.
• Ability to work collaboratively with staff, clients, service providers and others.
• Ability to evaluate/interpret information and make good and independent judgements or decisions

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in human services, Counseling, Social Work, or related field preferred.
• Minimum of one year of related experience in case management (intern experience will be considered) preferred

Work Environment Conditions

• Frequent interruptions from clients- must have ability to multi-task.
• Must have access to a vehicle and auto insurance. Position requires frequent travel to shelters/hotels within driving distance from our Boston and Lowell offices. (NOTE: IINE pays the government’s mileage reimbursement rate for all travel).
• Requires occasional night and weekends events and work
• Requires office work

Physical Demands

• May require lifting materials (boxes, equipment, furniture) of up to 50 pounds or more
• Requires sitting (or standing) at a desk for long periods of time

Covid-19 Policy

IINE does not require applicants for most positions to show proof of Covid-19. Some federal contracts, however, require IINE staff to show proof of Covid-19 vaccination, and some immigration status adjustments, such as a Green Card, require proof of Covid-19 vaccination as well. Consequently, for some positions, IINE staff may be required to show proof of vaccination, and in others, IINE staff will be supporting clients who are required by law to have proof of vaccination in order to adjust their status in the United States.

US Work Eligibility Notice

This position requires lawful authorization to work in the United States, and IINE is unable to provide visa sponsorship in connection with this.