Truancy Case Manager, SEAMAAC

Posted by SEAMAAC on October 23, 2017

QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor’s degree required from an accredited college/university. Minimum two years’ 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 Manager. 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.

POSITION 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 Manager (CM) will provide case management services including comprehensive assessments, family goal planning, home and school visits, representation at court hearings, removal of attendance barriers, and linkages to community resources. The CM will work with the TCM team to assist with networking, referrals, translation and interpretation. The CM will document progress in case notes, databases, and case files. The CM will be cross-trained in all three program tiers including participation in truancy prevention meetings at partner schools, case management, and case transition to Family Court. CMs 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 CM candidate must have:
 Bachelor’s degree required from an accredited college/university.
 Minimum two years’ 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.
 Possess a valid driver’s license and a car.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
 Support children and families in a manner that fosters independence, growth and development and will facilitate the child and families in achieving their stated goals.
 Carry a caseload of 25–35 families. Manage incoming referrals in addition to existing caseload. Make multiple attempts to ensure that 2 successful visits at the home are completed monthly. Occasionally meet caregivers on night times and weekends during their availability.
 Use effective time management, multi-tasking, prioritizing and problem solving skills.
 Travel around local Philadelphia neighborhoods extensively.
 Prepare comprehensive reports and attend court appearances to represent clients at Regional Truancy Court and Family Court.
 Participate in Tier I Truancy Prevention Meetings at school sites to provide early intervention services to students and families.
 Accurately assess the strengths, supports, and needs of the children, families and communities served.
 Maintain consistent communication through school visits and home visits with families. Ensure that schools are in compliance with services to students. Provide ongoing support to students as needed.
 Provide direct support and referrals for additional services to achieve goals. Ensure that referrals are completed promptly and confirm that a linkage between the family and provider is secured.
 Accurately and comprehensively document all activities directly or indirectly related to the client in case files and multiple databases.
 Participate in quality assurance activities.
 Attend regular supervision, department meetings, and trainings.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
 Actively participate in organizational-wide efforts and a minimum of 5 events per calendar year.
 Cross training in all three tiers and occasionally carrying a Tier I caseload.
 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.
 Excellent oral and written communication skills as well as advanced computer skills.
 Ability to work and communicate with diverse staff in a team environment.
 High ethical standards, integrity, and adherence to confidentiality.
 Ability to handle a heavy workload and be detail-oriented.
 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 to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee frequently lifts and/or moves up to 20 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 & Benefits: $34,000, health insurance and paid vacation, holiday, sick and personal leave.
SEAMAAC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.