Truancy Case Aide, SEAMAAC

Posted by SEAMAAC on October 23, 2017

QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor’s degree required from an accredited college/university. Experience in social work or related field that includes case management and child welfare experience working with children and youth, juvenile delinquency, and/or families.

Interested applicants MUST submit a detailed cover letter and resume to employment@seamaac.org.

Applications without these materials will not be considered.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT: SEAMAAC welcomes applications for the position of Truancy Case Aide. SEAMAAC is a nonprofit organization in Philadelphia, with the mission “To support and serve immigrants and refugees and other politically, socially and economically marginalized communities as they seek to advance the condition of their lives in the United States.” SEAMAAC envisions a strong and unified society, where immigrants and refugees work alongside other Americans to build shared political, economic and social power. We envision a community where the contributions of each generation of Americans, whether Native to this land, immigrant, or brought against their will, are equally acknowledged, valued and embraced, and where all people live whole, healthy lives with joy and dignity.

PROGRAM SUMMARY: SEAMAAC’s Truancy Case Management (TCM) program works in partnership with Philadelphia’s Department of Human Services (DHS) and the School District of Philadelphia (SDP) to improve school attendance and academic achievement through three tiers of services. Services focus on early interventions and case management with at-risk children, youth and their families. Although our TCM Program serves communities of all races and ethnicities, the majority of referrals we receive from SDP and DHS are for children and families from the African American community. The Truancy Case Aide will work within the TCM program to offer administrative support as it pertains to case-related activities. The Case Aide performs a vital function within the program by refining the flow of paper work and information between clients and team members. By acting as the initial point of contact, the Case Aide will be making a first impression on the client and begin the process of establishing rapport. By explaining the intake process for SEAMAAC, the Case Aide builds clients’ understanding for the expectations of the program by helping them to better navigate their way through the truancy court system. Acting behind the scenes, the Case Aide will alleviate pressure on team members by assisting them with filing and data entry. This helps the team members to maintain a high level of efficiency and output. By streamlining the process, clients are able to see team members faster, prepared for their intake procedure, and are more likely to have the necessary documentation required to begin services. This can decrease repeat visits and help families achieve their stated goals more timely. Case Aides work in a fast-pace and high-pressure environment, handling multiple and simultaneous priorities, balancing the needs of families, requirements from funders and adherence to tight schedules and strict deadlines. The program goals are to resolve truancy issues and facilitate families’ ability to develop positive relationships that promote well-being and permanency of children in the home and school environment.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Additionally, the Case Aide candidate must have:
 Bachelor’s degree required from an accredited college/university. Experience in social work or related field that includes case management and child welfare experience working with children and youth, juvenile delinquency, and/or families.
 Excellent oral and written communication skills as well as advanced computer skills.
 Effectively work and communicate with diverse staff in a team environment.
 Possess a valid driver’s license and a car.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
 Support the Case Managers by facilitating the intake process with between 50 – 80 families bi-weekly.
 Build intake files, complete intake file documentation, and update database.
 Conduct repeated visits and outreach methods to locate clients.
 Gather all updated phone numbers, addresses, and availability of families.
 Use effective time management and organization skills.
 Travel around local Philadelphia neighborhoods extensively.
 Maintain consistent communication on activities between clients and staff members.
 Engage families and school personnel in order to establish effective working relationships.
 Engage individuals and organizations for the purpose of working in partnership and collaboration.
 Prepare for and attend court appearances to represent clients at Regional and Family Court.
 Assess and report all client safety concerns.
 Attend regular supervision, department meetings, and trainings.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
 Actively participate in organizational-wide and community work efforts and a minimum of 5 events per calendar year.
 Cross training in all three tiers.
 Other assignments, including translation/interpretation, as required.

COMPETENCIES:
 Understanding of, and commitment to, SEAMAAC’s principles, concerns, and considerations in regard to issues of race, class, nationality, religion, age, gender and sexual orientation, and disabilities.
 Demonstrate initiative and the ability to work independently.
 Ability to handle a heavy workload, exercise discretion, maintain confidentiality, handle multiple priorities and use sound judgment.
 A passion and desire to serve the community.
 Knowledgeable about issues facing public education and low-income children and youth of color.
 Knowledgeable about issues facing immigrant/refugee communities in particular and other economically, politically and socially marginalized communities in general.
 Bilingual candidate is 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 regularly required to talk or hear. The employee regularly is required to stand, walk, sit, use hand and fingers handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee frequently lifts and/or moves up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must undergo criminal, child abuse and health background checks, as required by the program funder.

COMMENTS: This description is intended to describe the essential job functions. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and requirements. SEAMAAC reserves the right to add/change duties and responsibilities as required by our contractual obligations to Philadelphia DHS. Other functions may be assigned and management retains the right to add or change the duties at any time.

HOURS, SALARY AND BENEFITS:
Hours: Primarily normal business hours, with some evening or weekend assignments.
Salary: $32,000

SEAMAAC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.