Lead Case Worker

About the position HeartShare St. Vincent’s Services (HSVS) Nuevo Camino program provides a supportive, nurturing environment for 38 unaccompanied minors, ages 5-17, through transitional foster homes, daily education Monday - Friday, and supportive wrap-around services in the Sunset Park section of New York City. The program emphasizes trauma-informed, culturally appropriate service delivery tailored to each child's needs, while adhering to all ORR program requirements. The Lead Caseworker for Nuevo Camino, reporting to the Assistant Program Director, is responsible for delivering casework and supportive services to children in transitional care. This includes facilitating connections with identified family members for potential sponsorship and assisting with sponsorship applications. The Caseworker must also maintain effective and timely communication with stakeholders to ensure case continuity. Due to program requirements, this lead caseworker position operates on a rotating schedule.

Responsibilities

• Ensure that all assigned youth on your caseload and under your supervision receive mandatory services while in care to include but not limited to mental health, medical, recreational, educational, and other supportive services in accordance with the time and documentation expectations of the program.
• Create a trusting and safe relationship with the client and encourage the personal growth of the client.
• Develop and complete assessments, service and treatment plans, progress notes, incident reports, and any other necessary documentation in a timely manner.
• Maintain accurate and current information on foster children in care, while ensuring contractor and the program's internal documentation practices and reporting requirements are met.
• Actively participate in weekly staff meetings with the clinical team and stakeholders.
• Provide support to casework peers
• Attend, facilitate, and assist with providing ongoing education and support services to foster parents.
• Attend weekly meetings with supervisor to consult on cases, review case plans and direction, and evaluate client participation and progress.
• Schedule office, in-home and/or offsite meetings with assigned foster parents and UC on a regular basis according to ORR (Office of Refugee Resettlement) and state licensing requirements in order to address any concerns in service delivery.
• Translate both written and verbal communication for program clientele and staff, if bi-lingual.
• Maintain effective communication with community agencies or individuals involved in service provision.
• Attend internal and external training and apply newly gained knowledge in providing service.
• Transport youth to appointments and unifications as needed.
• Explore potential community resources and refer families for support, as needed.
• Knowledge of and adherence to federal, state, program, and agency regulations.
• Participate in required ORR – Nuevo Camino trainings per the federal and state mandates.

Requirements

• Bilingual in Spanish required.
• Bachelor's degree from four year college or equivalent required.
• Stable judgment as well as sensitivity to various cultures and the unique history of refugees.
• Must maintain a broad knowledge of basic principles, concepts, and methodology of social work as acquired through a bachelor's level degree or professional experience.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work under stress or in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work independently and exercise a high level of confidentiality.
• Computer and typing skills sufficient to perform essential job functions.
• Up to 25% travel required including escorting youth to family unifications by car and air.
• Commitment to Nuevo Camino core mission and values and an ability to model those values in relationship with colleagues and partners; commitment to empowering refugees and migrants.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in child welfare/case management strongly preferred.
• Prior experience working with refugee and/or immigrant populations preferred.

Benefits

• Rewarding Work in a team environment.
• Paid vacation, sick, personal days, and holidays.
• 403(B) retirement plans with employer contribution.
• Health, dental, vision and life insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Flexible spending account (Dependent Care, Medical, Parking, and Transit).
• Employee Appreciation Programs and Events.
• Tuition Assistance Program.
• Professional Development opportunities.
• Wellhub Discount
• Verizon Wireless Discount.
• BJs Membership discount.
• Discounts on Broadway tickets, movie tickets, theme parks, sporting events, gift certificates & more