United States of America: Family Stabilization Specialist

IRC BACKGROUND:

Founded in 1933, the IRC is a leading nonsectarian, voluntary organization providing relief, protection and resettlement services for refugees and victims of oppression or violent conflict. One aspect of the IRC is to provide assistance to refugees resettling in the United States. The IRC opened a Denver office in 2016 to provide reception and placement services to newly arrived refugees. The office is slated to resettle approximately 250 refugees per year and provide program services that assist refugees for up to five years following their arrival in the U.S.

JOB OVERVIEW:

The Family Stabilization Specialist (FSS) leads efforts to foster the best prospects for higher-risk clients to stabilize, achieve self-sufficiency and realize longer-term integration. S/he is responsible for ensuring that services are delivered using a framework that is driven by a belief in the capability of all clients, dedication to empowering clients and promoting self-efficacy, and compassion. S/he also ensures that services are delivered in a timely, professional and efficient manner, in accordance with IRC quality standards, policies and procedures; local and state regulations; established federal guidelines; and donor requirements.

Working closely with direct service staff across the IRC in Denver team and with external partners who make referrals to services offered by the IRC in Denver, the FSS identifies clients who require stabilization services to address special needs as defined by the Colorado Alliance for Refugee Empowerment and Success (CARES) program. In this capacity, s/he supports cases involving domestic violence, sexual assault, severe mental health conditions, suicide ideations, LGBTQI issues, child welfare concerns, elder abuse and substance abuse. This position also plays a role in contributing to IRC in Denver’s programs that deliver targeted services for women, children and youth.

The FSS supervises interns and volunteers engaged with the programs s/he oversees. In addition, the FSS engages participates in relevant committees, teams and work groups and contributes to IRC in Denver’s efforts to advance its Strategic Action Plan. This position operates with limited daily supervision and moderate latitude to use independent judgment and take initiative in designing strategies and tactics that meet client needs and satisfy program requirements.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Serving as an advocate for higher risk and more vulnerable clients;
• Incorporating a multigenerational approach that holistically serves entire families;
• Assessing and determining appropriate levels of treatment and connecting clients to treatment, whether provided in-house or through referrals to external partners;
• Developing safety plans with clients and/or working through crisis situations with the help of external partner organizations to restore and maintain client safety;
• Following up on identified FSS client issues until fully resolved;
• Using evidence-based tools to gauge impact, capture outcome data and inform program design;
• Working in collaboration with the Resettlement Team to develop and implement training and protocols for staff working with clients who are experiencing higher-risk needs;
• Providing technical assistance for staff to support their capacity to serve FSS cases;
• Seeking out partnerships and collaborations to increase clients’ access to mainstream community services, and acting as a liaison to build and sustain relationships with providers and resources;
• Offering technical assistance to help external providers increase their capacity to serve higher risk and more vulnerable refugees;
• Organizing education activities and events for clients, staff, and community service providers;
• Collaborating with the Resettlement Manager to create and improve FSS referral processes and protocols for the Resettlement Team;
• Maintaining accurate client case notes and documenting all client services in a timely manner;
• Assessing, evaluating and reporting program performance and escalating issues as needed;
• Performing administrative tasks including completing required documentation, reports, casefile reviews, and similar items;
• Identifying needs for additional training or process improvement and contributing to solutions;
• Assuring compliance with the CARES Program and all other federal and state guidelines, program requirements and IRC contractual obligations;
• Attending meetings with the Colorado Refugee Services Program (CRSP) and others as requested;
• Performing other duties as assigned.

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:

Position Reports to: Executive Director

Position Directly Supervises: Graduate-level Family Stabilization Services social work interns; interns and volunteers engaged in the youth program and/or the FSS program portfolio.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• Graduate degree in Social Work, Counseling or related field, or 5+ years’ relevant experience;
• Experience in refugee resettlement and/or working directly with refugees is highly desirable;
• Supervisory experience strongly preferred;
• Ability to read and interpret IRC, state, and federal guidelines and instructions;
• Ability to write reports and correspondence in a professional context;
• Prior responsibility for managing programs and budgets, and ability to produce desired outcomes;
• Adept in leveraging resources and forging partnerships to better support clients; familiarity with local service provider landscape and resettlement context a plus;
• Strategic and creative thinker and problem-solver;
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, particularly when working cross-culturally and with individuals with limited English proficiency;
• Fluent in English, both spoken and written; bilingual in one or more client languages an asset;
• Superb organizational, planning, time and task management and logistical skills;
• Strong decision-making capabilities, with solid judgement and ethics consistent with the IRC Way;
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook), internet applications and relational databases;
• Use of a reliable personal vehicle required, with valid driver’s license and current insurance.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

• Standard office work environment combined with considerable time in the field and in neighborhoods where refugees live.
• Travel in and around the Denver metro area to facilitate service delivery, build community relationships and represent the IRC with community partners.
• Hours outside of typical office hours required at times.

https://rescue.csod.com/ats/careersite/jobdetails.aspx?site=1&c=rescue&id=3878