Refugee Support Services Caseworker

POSITION SUMMARY:
World Relief is a unique and invigorating place to work. We are looking for talented, ambitious and collaborative people to come alongside our mission, vision and values as we partner with churches to empower the most vulnerable in the world. We hope these resources provide more insight into your hiring journey with us.

The Refugee Support Services Caseworker position provides critical services and counsel to refugees, asylees and other immigrants as they search for employment and assists them with employment-related matters, including job re-placement as relevant. This position assists refugees and those granted asylum and other immigrants to become economically self-sufficient by preparing them for employment, utilizing employer contacts to place them in jobs, counseling on job upgrades and career pathway opportunities, and maintaining and expanding an employer network. This position works closely with other program staff to provide comprehensive services in partnership with members of the local community and area churches with the goal of encouraging self-sufficiency among those served. This position will be responsible for case management, employment development and assistance, and other related requirements.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Provide direct client care and case management to refugee and immigrant caseload

Enroll clients into relevant programs including completing assessments and developing service plans to track progress of goal achievement

Provide employment counseling to clients that may include individual meetings, informing about job prospects, following up on job leads, and reviewing available career pathway opportunities.

Ensure security of full-time employment and offer transportation solutions of clients within their first 5 years in the USA

Basic job skills training (e.g. workplace expectations, communication, etc.)

Maintain regular communication with clients through phone calls, emails, and office visits

Provide direct assistance with resumes, applications, interviews, job offer paperwork, and ongoing mediation with employers

Satisfy documentation requirements in accordance with state and federal grant standards

Other responsibilities as assigned

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:
Excellent communication skills with people of varying English levels

Excellent interpersonal and relational skills

Detail-oriented, organized, and able to follow through on projects and assignments

Demonstrated ability to multi-task, problem solve, and exercise critical thinking skills

Demonstrated ability to work sensitively and effectively in a cross-cultural setting

Willingness to advocate on behalf of clients with employers

Strong mediation and problem-solving skills

Knowledge about the refugee/immigrant experience is preferred

Fluency in an additional language such as French, Arabic, Swahili, Farsi, Spanish, Dari, Pashto, or Burmese is desired

Understanding of the U.S. employment market, particularly in the Quad Cities, or strong interest in learning

REQUIREMENTS:
Personal Christian faith and a heart for service to vulnerable people

Commitment to the mission, vision, and values of World Relief

Ability to work a flexible schedule including occasional early mornings, evenings, and weekends

Proficient in Microsoft Office applications

Valid Driver’s License and good driving record

Cross cultural experience

Employment services experience preferred

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to have ordinary ambulatory skills sufficient to visit other locations

The ability to stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, and manipulate (lift, carry, move) light to medium weights of 10-15 pounds

Requires good hand-eye coordination, arm, hand and finger dexterity, including ability to grasp, and visual acuity to use a keyboard, operate equipment and read application information

The employee frequently is required to sit, reach with hands and arms, talk and hear

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
General office setting

Great lengths of time working on computer, reading from computer screen, entering information, standing at copier or fax machine, and some time on the phone or in skype meetings may be required

Year-end archiving activities involve repeated lifting and bending

Physical, emotional and intellectual demands

Equipment used: Employee computer (desktop or laptop), printer, and copier

All of the above duties and responsibilities are essential job functions subject to reasonable accommodation. All job requirements listed indicate the minimum level of knowledge, skills and/or ability deemed necessary to perform the job proficiently. This job description is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements. Individuals may be required to perform any other job-related instructions as requested by their supervisor, subject to reasonable accommodation. This position description is not all-inclusive and is always under review.

World Relief offers a competitive benefits package (25 hours + per week):

World Relief contributes to monthly premiums:
Medical

Dental

Additional Benefits:
Offer 16 Paid Holidays!

Vision

Offer Paid Sick and Vacation Leave

Paid Maternity & Paternity Leave

Parental Leave

FSAs: Medical & Dependent Care, & Commuter Funding

Supplemental Life Insurance (employee, spouse, and children)

World Relief pays 100% for eligible employees:
Group Term Life (employee, spouse, and children)

Long Term & Short-term Disability

Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D)

Long Distant Travel Insurance

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

World Relief – Retirement:
401K & Roth

WR matches up to 4%, then an additional quarter percent up to 10%

Eligibility: Full Time is eligible after 3 months of employment. Part time is eligible after 1000 hours in a year

World Relief Discounts (Immediately Eligible):
Verizon

Pet Insurance through Nationwide

Home and Auto insurance through Liberty Mutual

We are proud to be an EEO/AA employer M/F/D/V. We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing.

For World Relief staff, strong commitment to the mission, vision, and values of World Relief is essential, and Christian faith is a prerequisite for employment, based upon United States federal guidelines provided in Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Legal Background in the United States

World Relief is both an equal opportunity employer and a faith-based religious organization. This means that we conduct hiring without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, citizenship, age, sex, marital status, parental status, membership in any labor organization, political ideology, or disability of an otherwise qualified individual. The status of World Relief as an equal opportunity employer does not prevent the organization from hiring staff based on their religious beliefs, so that all staff share the same religious commitment.

Pursuant to the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 702 (42 U.S.C. 2000e 1(a) World Relief has the right to, and does, hire only candidates who agree with World Relief’s Statement of Faith.