Job description

Agency Mission

“InterFaith Works, through education, service, and dialogue, affirms the dignity of each person and every faith community, and seeks to build relationships and understanding among us.”

Agency Vision Statement

“InterFaith Works builds bridges of understanding to affirm the dignity of all people in Central New York. Working with the different faith communities and the diversity of the region’s people, we address deeply embedded social divisions. Informed and influenced by the values and ethics of the faith traditions, we work with the community to find common ground on its issues. Using the tools of interfaith and cross-cultural dialogue, we create life-changing experiences that lead to actions for the creation of a more equitable and loving community.”

Overview to the Program Area

InterFaith Works’ Center for New Americans (CNA) has been in operation since 1995, resettling newly arriving refugees from areas of the world where war, conflict, and political repression have forced mass relocation of people across the borders of their homeland. Refugees are annually certified by the United Nations, and accepted by the US government, then resettled in 355 Affiliates across the county. CNA provides mandated support to refugees for the first 90-days, including meeting the refugee/family at the airport, securing and furnishing an affordable apartment, providing first cash, food, and safety training, then assisting the refugee/family to enroll in school to learn English, to become connected to medical services, and to prepare for and secure employment. Additional services extend beyond the 90-days which include intensive Matching Grant and medical case management, mental health, and alcohol recovery services, immigration, English as a Second Language, family literacy, and employment support, extended cultural orientation, and successful community integration. CNA also works to help newly forming ethnic community based organizations to establish themselves and to provide ongoing support to the newly arriving families.

Position Summary:

This position will provide direct service to newly-arrived refugees in the Reception & Placement program, as required by cooperative agreements and contracts. The Case Worker will accompany the client to all necessary appointments, provide or arrange for interpretation, and keep accurate and up-to-date documentation and reports as required. This position is supervised by the Reception and Placement Manager.

Qualifications:

This individual should have experience in case management and refugee resettlement, a high level of initiative and creativity, proven ability to be an effective communicator, ability to handle a variety of tasks and responsibilities effectively, the ability to work with diverse groups of people with diplomacy and discretion, and the ability to work with language interpreters, or to provide formal interpretation directly.

• Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in human services or related field.
• Valid New York State driver’s license and reliable transportation.
• Bilingual in Arabic/English is required.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Windows, Word, and Excel is expected, and ability to learn national resettlement databases.

Essential Functions:

Client Services

• In coordination with other staff, ensure all core services are provided in a timely manner for every refugee assigned to the worker’s caseload.
• Assist clients in applying for public benefits to which they are entitled, such as Social Security, SNAP, public assistance, Medicaid, and WIC.
• Transport client to required appointments as necessary.
• Make sure all arrival, housing, and household furnishing requirements have been met per the Cooperative Agreements and periodic reporting requirements
• Provide or refer to the in-house resource and referral caseworker for “aftercare services” to clients such as public benefits recertification, emergency assistance, application for unemployment, and filing for Legal Permanent Resident status.
• Report emergencies, serious difficulties and potential large problems with clients, other service providers, and staff to Program Director immediately.
• Share on-call hours for picking up refugee arrivals and client emergencies with other staff members.

Community Relations

• Develop and maintain relationships with service providers including the SCSD Refugee Assistance Program, Catholic Charities Resettlement Program, the County Health Department, contracted health care providers, and other providers of education and employment services.
• Assist in the provision of initial and ongoing cultural orientation.
• Assure that clients have received all resettlement money due to them in a time manner, and that all financial transactions are properly documented in case files.
• Assist in advocating for and raising the visibility of the refugees in the Syracuse community.

Administration and Reporting

• Assure case files are secured confidentially and reporting standards are met.

Agency Support Functions

• Attend in-house trainings and informational conferences, as requested.
• Work collegially with other IFW staff, interns, and volunteers. Participate as a team member in staff meetings, case staff meetings, and all staff activities.
• Serve on internal committees to promote general agency concerns.
• Participate in all-agency activities such as the ILAD, Duck Race, World Refugee Day, etc.
• Other duties as assigned

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $39,000.00 - $41,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Language:

• Arabic (Required)

License/Certification:

• NYS Drivers License (Required)

Work Location: In person

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