Cultural Orientation Caseworker

International Rescue Committee

Job Overview: The Cultural Orientation Caseworker is responsible for leading the local office’s effort to provide culturally appropriate orientation services for newly resettled refugees. Topics delivered through the cultural orientation program include public transit, budgeting, banking, safety, health, and other information pertinent to the successful resettlement of newly arrived refugees. The Cultural Orientation Caseworker works with the direct service team to track and monitor client progress through cultural orientation.

The Cultural Orientation Caseworker will also carry a small caseload and provide trauma-informed services to refugees and other qualified immigrants to support a positive resettlement experience and the achievement of client self-sufficiency. The Cultural Orientation Caseworker works closely with clients, colleagues, and external parties to develop service and/or self-sufficiency plans to meet individual client needs and preferences utilizing a broad range of financial, medical, social, vocational, and other services and resources in accordance with client eligibility and program requirements.

**Major Responsibilities:**Responsibilities may include but are not limited to:

Cultural Orientation Training: Provide cultural orientation to all newly arriving clients

· Review, improve, and grow the new arrival cultural orientation system, with consideration towards grant requirements, agency best practices, and refugee assets and needs.

· Develop creative solutions and practices to maximize refugee understanding of relevant and essential information.

· Teach multiple cultural orientation classes each week to new refugee arrivals, using engaged learning and nontraditional teaching methods. Ensure transportation for families attending CO.

· Develop and review orientation resources, such as written and language appropriate orientation aids for participants, as necessary.

· Discover and cultivate community partners to assist in the cultural orientation of newly arrived refugees, including arranging guest speakers (i.e. law enforcement, CPS, etc.).

· Work closely with the casework and employment services team to coordinate services and gather feedback.

· Empower and equip interns and volunteers to assist in the provision of cultural orientation in creative and impactful ways.

· Direct cultural orientation transportation trainings, including classroom and field training

· Ensure cultural orientation assessments are conducted and tracked. Ensure regular case file documentation.

· Provide transportation to clients in order to attend cultural orientation classes

· Participate in all program meetings, staff development activities, and fully engages as a member of the team

· Comply with all policies, procedures and protocols of the agency

Case Management: Maintain a reduced resettlement caseload.

· Coordinate timely pre- and post-arrival services to ensure each client has living essentials such as housing, food, medical care, and access to transportation, and is oriented to their new environment.

· Conduct intake services with clients to assess needs. Develop self-sufficiency plans and timelines in partnership with each client. Provide individualized support through direct services, referrals, and advocacy.

· Assess and monitor client progress to support their attainment of established goals, address challenges, and to ensure that available resources are utilized.

· Detail each client interaction in accordance with program requirements. Input client information in database(s) and assist with tracking and reporting as needed.

· Collaborate effectively with coworkers and partner organizations. Build and maintain relationships with area service providers for the benefit of clients.

· Use personal, insured vehicle and/or public transportation (where available) to travel and transport clients and materials as needed throughout the service delivery area.

· May train and lead the activities of volunteers and interns.

· Other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements:

Education: Bachelor’s degree in social work or related field of study preferred.

Work Experience:

  • Relevant professional experience in human services field required; minimum of 2 years’ experience strongly preferred.
  • Experience working with refugee and/or immigrant populations strongly preferred.

Demonstrated Skills & Competencies:

  • Strong relationship building, diplomacy, and networking skills; ability to effectively build internal and external relationships.
  • Demonstrated success working and communicating effectively in a multi-cultural environment.
  • Self-starter with excellent problem-solving skills combined with the proven ability to multi-task, prioritize duties, and manage time effectively.
  • Attention to detail and accuracy in work product.
  • Fluent in English, both spoken and written; proficiency in language(s) spoken by IRC’s clients is desired; including Dari, Farsi, and/or Pashto.
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook); ability to use the internet and other digital tools for data entry, research and problem-solving purposes.
  • Valid driver’s license and access to a personal, insured vehicle.

Working Environment:

  • A combination of standard office environment, remote work, and ‘field’ time within the service delivery area to perform the above outlined responsibilities.
  • May require occasional weekend and/or evening work.

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 can 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.

How to apply

Please apply on our website:

https://rescue.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/1/home/requisition/29465?c=rescue


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