Case Worker, Refugee Services (Niagara Falls) - Jewish Family Services of Western New York

WHY JOIN JFS?
For more than 150 years, Jewish Family Services of Western New York has been committed to providing high quality services to all in need in the interest of helping to "repair the world." Our services are guided by the essential connection between mental well-being, physical wellness, and positive self-worth. Our reputation is the result of our exceptional staff. In addition to offering competitive compensation and truly exceptional benefits, we are committed to providing a supportive, inclusive work environment in which all employees are able to contribute their best.

OUR VALUES
Be a Mensch - A person who is ethical, decent, and admirable. It's someone who acts with integrity and honor, often showing kindness and consideration towards others. Being called a Mensch is a compliment suggesting that one's character is upright, responsible, and morally sound.
Be Person-Centered - Meeting individuals where they are at.
Be Culturally Responsive - Creating purpose-built spaces and programs for our clients that respect their culture.
Be Resolute - Tenacity, solution-seeking, and getting stuff done.

WHAT YOU'LL DO
The Refugee Services Case Worker will provide resettlement case management services for refugees who are new arrivals, offering them support and services to help them reach self-sufficiency, minimize poverty, and successfully make a new home in the United States. This position assists clients in gaining access to medical, social, employment, educational, and other essential services and navigating local systems.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide all core services for newly arrived refugees as defined by the Cooperative Agreement. This may include housing placement and setup, airport pickups, home visits, financial management, access to public benefits, medical appointments, school registration, and other services required by the Reception and Placement Program.
• Intake and needs assessment and subsequent referrals to inter-agency programs to promote self-sufficiency and integration with a strong focus on employment.
• Provide ongoing cultural and community orientation to newly arrived refugees to promote independent access to community resources.
• Coordinate and/or advocate for interpretation services to refugee clients to ensure equal access to eligible services regardless of language barrier.
• Advocate on behalf of refugees, immigrants, and voluntary agencies serving those clients.
• Promote client rights and access to social services, social security, health providers, mental health services, and other supportive services.
• Accurately document all contacts and services in client case files and maintain case note logs per funder guidelines.
• Complete case reports as required by funder.
• Secure and schedule appointments for clients with service providers and provide or arrange transportation to appointments when necessary.
• Provide interpretation and translation for agency services as applicable.
• Attend agency and department meetings as required.
• Participate in trainings as required.
• Provide coverage for other staff members, as needed.

WHAT YOU'LL BRING

• Minimum of an associate degree in a human services related discipline required.
• Experience providing direct services to refugees and immigrants.
• Experience linking clients to a broad range of essential, community-based services.
• Ability to provide culturally sensitive case management.
• Proficient communication skills for interaction with clients and the public.
• Strong time management and organizational skills.
• Working knowledge of community resources for refugees and immigrants.
• Informed about refugee and immigrant issues, and available services to clients.
• Strong computer skills, especially with Microsoft Outlook and Word.
• Familiarity with and appreciative of issues related to people with diverse cultures and languages.
• Fluency in a refugee language (Somali, Nepali, Burmese, Chin, Karen, Swahili, French, or other) is a plus but not required.

This position requires travel between sites and therefore, you must have a reliable vehicle, valid driver's license, and liability insurance in the amount of $100/$300k. Also, if hired, you must produce evidence of having receiving the Covid-19 vaccination.

WHAT WE OFFER

• Competitive salary range of $21.00-28.00 per hour, commensurate with experience and qualifications.
• Benefits such as health insurance (Independent Health), accrued Paid Time Off (PTO) of 4+ weeks, 401k retirement plan with company match, and 13+ observed holidays.
• A supportive and collaborative work environment.
• The chance to make meaningful impact in a dynamic and forward-thinking organization.

The above pay range is a good faith estimate for the position at the time of posting. Final compensation may vary based on factors including, but not limited to, background, knowledge, skills, and abilities.

ARE YOU READY TO JOIN OUR TEAM?
If this sounds like the opportunity that you've been looking for, please apply today by completing our application located at https://jfsbuffalo.applicantpro.com/jobsbyorganization/. Please provide a resume and cover letter along with your application.

Jewish Family Services of Western New York is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.