Child Protection Coordinator

Job Overview: The Child Protection Coordinator will provide virtual and on the ground case management to unaccompanied children and other minors at offices where there is no adequate capacity to provide services to this population which includes Ukrainian and Afghan minors. This position will be expected to travel up to 40% of the time. The Child Protection Coordinator provides trauma-informed case management and care coordination services to unaccompanied children and their households. This includes working closely with each client household to develop service plans that address individual needs utilizing a broad range of financial, medical, social, federal and state benefits, vocational, and other services and resources based on client eligibility. In addition to serving a complex client caseload, the Child Protection Coordinator, guides, trains, mentors colleagues and supports program quality assurance efforts across various local offices. The Child Protection Coordinator also supports the Child Protection officer in efforts to cultivate, develop, and maintain community partnerships and other community resources.

This position also conducts services to connect children and youth to basic needs and other supportive services, including medical care, school enrollment, mental health care, community supports, etc. The Child Protection Coordinator also completes all necessary documentation associated with a case. In consultation with the Child Protection Officer, the Child Protection Coordinator often responds to safety and protection issues including child welfare referrals, trafficking concerns, run away response, gang prevention, and more.

Major Responsibilities:

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Complete virtual 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.
• Develop individualized service plans for children and sponsors and work closely with them to make progress through their individual service plans.
• Provide crisis intervention when necessary, including involving Child Protective Services, law enforcement, etc.
• Coordinate referrals, service planning and enrollment in various relevant areas that include placement, safety, guardianship, medical, mental health, legal/immigration, education, substance abuse, gang prevention, independent living, parenting/supervision, independent living, mentorship, and peer support. Build and manage relationships with community services providers in relevant areas.
• Continually assess ongoing changes in behavior and general conditions that could impact the safety of a participant.
• Use a trauma-informed approach to support the resilience and recovery of unaccompanied children who have experience trauma. Maintain a strong understanding of trauma-informed principles and approaches, protection and safeguarding, and mandatory reporting.
• Maintain accurate records in electronic case files and required databases and consistently ensure the confidentiality of information relevant to cases.
• Submit required reports and documentation in a timely manner.
• Participate in regular case management and staffing meetings.
• Travel up to 40% of the time to meet with children and their families in various locations throughout the United States and travel to support staff training at various IRC offices.
• Other duties as required.

Job Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW) or an equivalent degree in education, psychology, sociology, or other behavioral science preferred
• Bilingual ability in English and Spanish required
• 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
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret technical procedures and governmental regulations
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to write reports and business correspondence
• Experience working with immigrant populations
• Demonstrated success working and communicating effectively in a multi-cultural environment
• Demonstrated success working with vulnerable populations who have experienced trauma
• 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
• Valid driver’s license, access to a personal, insured vehicle, and ability to travel independently throughout assigned service delivery area

Key Working Relationships:

Position reports to: Child Protection Officer

Collaboration with: The Child Protection Coordinator maintains close working relationships with members of the HQ Child Protection team, the Resettlement unit, HQ’s Intensive Case Management team and with program staff in the field.

Working Environment:**

• A combination of remote work and travel for home visits as needed, partner agency meetings, etc. within the service delivery area
• Frequent work during non-traditional hours such as evenings and weekends required

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COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement: In accordance with IRC’s duty to provide and maintain a workplace that is free of known hazards and our commitment to safeguard the health of our employees, clients, and communities, IRC requires candidates who are selected for interview to furnish proof of vaccination against COVID-19 in order to be considered for this position.

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 demonstrate that they can contribute to this goal.

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 $120 per month, dental starting at $7 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.