Anti-Trafficking Caseworker

Position description

This position is represented by the OPEIU union and subject to the terms and conditions of a collective bargaining agreement.

IRC Background: The mission of the International Rescue Committee (IRC) is to help people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover and gain control of their future. Founded in 1933, the IRC has a presence in over 40 countries and 27 offices in the United States; the IRC leads the way from harm to home

IRC Oakland’s Anti-Trafficking department provides comprehensive case management services to survivors of trafficking and other violent crimes. IRC Oakland primarily serves immigrant survivors of trafficking. The Anti-Trafficking program works to find sustainable solutions that are appropriate for the unique situations of each client while concurrently partnering with community organizations and government agencies to raise awareness of human trafficking and identify the needs of survivors.

Job Overview: Caseworkers serve clients through a holistic and broad spectrum of support, including but not limited to: connecting clients with legal service providers and housing resources, helping clients access public benefits, health providers, and psychosocial services and offering regular checks-ins to discuss safety and service plans. This position requires thorough knowledge and understanding of human rights, strengths-based, and trauma-informed approaches to best serve survivors of trafficking. This role employs key social work values, including survivor empowerment, professional boundaries, and requires familiarity with self-care practices and addressing vicarious trauma. This position is part of federal contract to serve survivors residing in Alameda County and San Francisco.

Major Responsibilities:

Case Management and Referrals

• Provide trauma-informed comprehensive case management for survivors of trafficking to help them feel safe, empowered, and stable.
• Ensure acute client needs are met in a timely and culturally appropriate manner.
• Complete individualized initial assessment and safety planning, orientation to services, support, referral, and advocacy services by assessing and evaluating clients’ distinct needs.
• Assist clients with referrals and access to appropriate resources including: shelter, physical and mental health services, and legal services to work towards a stable immigration status.

Partnerships and Community Engagement

• Identify barriers to services and advocate for higher quality of services while developing and maintaining positive working relationships with key community stakeholders.
• Advocate for culturally and linguistically appropriate services for clients.
• Participate in outreach, including development and delivery of technical assistance and training to community-based organizations, government, and law enforcement officials, and others.
• Supervise and coordinate volunteers and interns to support service delivery, community engagement, and resource referrals

Documentation and Reporting

• Ensure quality case notes and documentation, case file management and quality assurance.
• Prepare, distribute and document direct assistance requests for clients including rent, utilities and other payments.
• Maintain record of case management expenses in case file.
• Comply with all policies, procedures and protocols of the agency.
• Other related duties as assigned.

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to: Anti-Trafficking Supervisor

Other Internal and/or external contacts:

Internal: Anti-Trafficking Caseworker will work closely with all members of Anti-Trafficking department. The Anti-Trafficking Caseworker will also develop working relationships with direct service providers in the following IRC departments: Economic Empowerment, Safety and Wellness, Community Integration, and Immigration.

External: Caseworker will develop working relationships with local legal providers, social services, healthcare providers, educational institutions, employment programs, anti-trafficking task forces, relevant consulates, law enforcement, and other community-based organizations to support achievement of program requirements.

Qualifications

Preferred Experience:

• Two years of relevant work experience in social service, case management, human service or related fields.
• Undergraduate degree, preferred, with an emphasis in Social Work, Psychology, or an equivalent field of study preferred. Significant relevant work experience can replace education requirement.
• Compassion towards and understanding of unique needs of survivors of trafficking.
• Ability to maintain a positive, cooperative, and professional demeanor with clients and partner organizations.
• Ability to de-escalate stressful situations in a trauma-informed manner.
• Ability to work well in a team-oriented, multi-cultural work environment.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, and high degree of organization related to the management of multiple clients, priorities, and projects.
• Spanish fluency required.
• Culturally sensitive skills particularly relevant to underserved communities preferred.
• Excellent organizational and case-file document management skills.
• Working knowledge of legal providers, social services, public benefits, community organizations, health care systems, and related human services in the Bay Area strongly preferred.
• Proven ability to contribute both independently and as a key team member.
• Reliable transportation and a valid driver’s license required.

Working Environment: Hybrid work schedule, standard office environment; travel in and around the service delivery area required.

Compensation: (Pay Range: $26-$27/hr) Posted pay ranges apply to US-based candidates. Ranges are based on various factors including the labor market, job type, internal equity, and budget. Exact offers are calibrated by work location, individual candidate experience and skills relative to the defined job requirements.

Equal Opportunity Employer: IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Application instructions

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