Case Specialist, Community Services - Lowell

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 Community Services Case Specialist provides placement, orientation, social services, and assistance to refugee, asylee and survivors of trafficking clients and their families under the supervision of the Community Services Manager. The objective of the program is to assist refugees, asylees and survivors of trafficking clients access services, removing barriers to basic needs to promote self-efficacy and economic self- sufficiency. The Case Specialist provides comprehensive case management services including apartment set-up, case planning, home visits, cultural orientation, program enrollment, advocacy, and referrals.

Position: Case Specialist, Community Services

• Department: Community Services

• Reports to: Community Services Manager

• Supervises: N/A

• Status: Non-Exempt, Full-Time

• Location: Lowell, MA

• Position Format: Hybrid

• Pay: $25.24/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 pre-arrival orientation with anchor or relatives for refugee clients.

• Conduct weekly intakes and provide referrals to relevant health, social, housing, educational, and employment-related services.

• Procure and set up apartments for refugee arrivals including the provision of furniture, household goods, and basic supplies.

• Provide initial reception and placement services, including airport pick up, on an emergency basis for refugee clients.

• Provide comprehensive case management services to clients including case planning, home visits, program enrollment, advocacy, and coordination of core services appointments.

• Coordinate client services to accomplish goals of individual and family self-sufficiency.

• Work to identify at-risk clients; help develop and implement appropriate client service plans.

• Triage difficult situations, in particular housing issues, medical and behavioral cases, and RHA, DTA/DHHS, school enrollment, and SNAP complications.

• Support clients with transportation to and from appointments, in particular health appointments.

• Assist in the management and implementation of cultural orientation.

• Maintain professional and accurate documentation using centralized database, including assessments, client documentation, and case notes.

• Ensure all clients receive their R&P funds within the first 90 days under the supervision of the Community Services Manager.

• Counsel and assist families in adjusting to life in the United States and obtaining appropriate services.

• Coordinate closely with other Institute programs and services, including support of internal referrals.

• Develop and maintain relationships with community service providers.

• Communicate with landlords to secure housing and address tenant concerns.

• Attend trainings and contractual meetings as needed.

• Attend staff meetings and weekly client-focused meeting.

• Provide post-resettlement case management support after initial 90-day resettlement program, as needed.

• Provide ongoing supervision and support of interns and volunteers, including daily assignment of tasks and review of completed activities.

• Perform all other duties assigned by supervisor.

Required Skills/Abilities

• Proficiency in additional languages strongly preferred, particularly Creole, Dari, Pashto, Arabic, Swahili, Ukrainian, Spanish or French.

• Experience working with immigrant populations preferred.

• Interest in international, refugee, and asylee issues.

• A command of Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint required.

• Ability to work with clients needing a range of support services.

• Excellent organizational, verbal, written, and interpersonal skills.

• Solid knowledge of public benefits processes and systems and ability to learn new systems

• Access to reliable transportation required.

• Extremely well organized, detail oriented, flexible, and able to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.

• High-levels of discretion and professionalism 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 judgments or decisions.

Education & Experience

• Bachelors 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

• Exposure to bright, overhead office lighting, use of office technology such as laptops, printers, mail machines, and other in-office equipment.

• Frequent Driving to/from client homes

May require long distance travel

• Frequent interruptions from employees and clients- must have ability to multi-task.

Physical Demands

• Occasional lifting, pushing, and pulling materials (boxes, equipment) of 50 pounds or more.

• Continuous sitting (or standing) at a desk for long periods of time.

• Occasional driving to and from IINE offices as needed.

• Frequent bending, reaching overhead, and reaching at or below shoulder level required.

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