Refugee Case Manager, Nationalities Service Center

Posted by on October 24, 2003

[posted to AFRICOM list 10/14/03]

Positon Announcement
Nationalities Service Center
Refugee Services Case Manager

The Nationalities Service Center (NSC) is a charitable, non-profit provider of services to refugees and immigrants in the Philadelphia area. NSC, established in 1921, provides resettlement services, legal assistance, English language and other training, senior services, interpretation and translation, and other services to the immigrant and refugee population in southeast Pennsylvania, northern Delaware and southwestern New Jersey.

The agency has an opening for a Refugee Services Case Manager. This position provides resettlement and adjustment services to both newly arrived refugees and other immigrants (pre and post arrival) and to recent political asylees currently in the United States. The position reports to the Director of Refugee and Resettlement Services.

Responsibilities include but are lot limited to:
1. Conducting intake and assessing client eligibility and suitability for the federal Match Grant and/or Reception and Placement programs.
2. Enrolling eligible clients and completing all necessary data entry and paperwork in compliance with all contractor, grantor and NSC procedures.
3. Conducting orientation and the development of a comprehensive resettlement plan along with the client that will move the client and/or client’s family towards self-sufficiency. The resettlement plan must include but is not limited to addressing basic needs for shelter, food and clothing and other issues such English language development, employability, socialization, access to medical care, etc.
4. Conduct home visits to the residence of the clients in what is sometimes less desirable areas of the community.
5. Timely providing and documenting all services identified as a need in the resettlement plan an additional services that may become known
6. Completing in a timely manner all reports required by funders, program or NSC guidelines.
7. Coordinate and work with other members of the Refugee Services team to assure complete and effective service to clients at all times.
8. Liaise, coordinate and work with other NSC departments to assure that the services can be provided to Refugee Services Department clients in a seemless, timely and effective manner
9. Communicate effectively with national funders and monitors.
10. Make and follow up on appropriate third party referrals.
11. Attend trainings held for the purpose of improving and expanding on case management skills.
12. Engage in active outreach at community fairs, ethnic stores, churches and other ethnic gathering places to spread the mission of NSC and to encourage potential clients to use NSC services.
13. Engage and become actively involved both with local ethnic community groups and associations and with other refugee, immigration and social service providers who may be able to serve your client’ or NSC’s needs.
14. Participate in all case review and other staff meetings.
15. Availability to attend at least one multiple-overnight training conference held somewhere within the United States at the employers expense.

Qualifications
1. Previous experience working with immigrants or refugees is required.
2. Bachelor’s degree, preferably in a human services related field.
3. Fluent in at least one other language in addition to English, preferably French or a Southeast Asian language.
4. Exposure to and sensitivity to various cultures and a strong empathy towards those who are disenfranchised.
5. Excellent communication and writing skills.
6. Ability and willingness to work as part of a team but to take initiative and to work independently when needed.
7. Ability work under pressure, to prioritize and use good judgment
8. Detail oriented and willing to follow sometimes complex program rules and procedures and to complete all reporting requirements as deemed necessary by management and funders.
9. Applicants, who were themselves immigrants or refugees, are given preference, so long as other requirements are met.

The position is a salaried position in the low 20’s with generous benefits.

To apply:
Please email your cover letter and resume to Jeanne McGuire, Executive Director at jmcguire@nationalitiesservice.org.

Applications by mail should be sent to Ms. McGuire at Nationalities Service Center, 1300, Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107