Job Title: Part-Time Employment Specialist/USRP Caseworker
Organization: Church World Service
Location: Lancaster, PA
Salary: 11.86 - 13.00/hr (based on 24 hr/wk)
PT Regular
 
Job Description:
Primary Purpose:
The Employment Specialist is responsible for providing employment
assessment, job counseling, job development and placement, coordination of
employment-related translation and interpretation services, and case
management to enrolled and eligible clients in the Employment Program. As
USRP Caseworker, this position will provide case management services for
refugees arriving through the Department of State/Bureau of Population,
Refugees, and Migrations U.S. Refugee Program. The USRP Caseworker assists
clients in accessing services and navigating local systems during the
initial resettlement period.
 
Essential Duties as Employment Specialist:
 Conducts outreach to identify and locate eligible clients through
contacts with other CWS (in-house) programs, the Department of Public
Assistance, mutual assistance associations, ethnic churches, mosques, and
temples, and other social service agencies.
 
 Determines clients eligibility, specific needs and qualifications,
including English language ability, transferable job skills, personal
objectives, and barriers to employment through intake and assessment
process. Works with client to prepare job resume.
 Provides individualized job development and job placement services
to program clients. Develops plan of action, counsels clients on job
interviews, proper behavior on the job, proper hygiene, works to remove any
barriers to employment. Counsels client on realizing goal of family
self-sufficiency.
 Identifies job opportunities suitable for client, assists in filling
out applications, sets up interviews with potential employers, accompanies
client to interview, follows up with employer until decision is made.
Negotiates job advancements when warranted.
 Performs all duties in culturally and linguistically appropriate
manner.
 Records client progress in case file, including compliance, job
offers, all placements, job retention, public assistance usage, follow-up on
placements, possibilities of upgrades. Completes all required reports.
 Assists clients with identifying training and apprenticeship
programs related to their career goals and makes referrals.
 Identifies other support services, such as classes for English as a
Second Language, transportation, immigration services, and child care, and
makes appropriate referrals.
 
Essential Duties as USRP Caseworker:
 Manages refugee cases, ensuring timely delivery of services and
fulfillment of requirements outlined in the Cooperative Agreement with
Department of State/Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration.
 Provides interpretation and translation services to refugee clients,
as well as transportation to appointments as necessary.
 Develops and implements Resettlement and Employment Plans in
consultation with clients, based on individual challenges and needs.
 Connects clients to in-house support and makes referrals to external
service providers as necessary to assist clients in achieving
self-sufficiency.
 Documents all contacts and services in client case files and
maintains case note logs.
 Tracks client progress and provides follow-up assistance throughout
the initial resettlement period.
 Prepares and documents monthly maintenance assistance requests and
distributes disbursements.
 Helps the R&P Services Coordinator and Lancaster Director in
preparing reports as requested.
 Participates in on-site monitoring visits with the Lancaster
Director and R&P Services Coordinator.
 Assists the R&P Services Coordinator in any duties he/she deems
necessary.
 
Common Duties:
 Advocates on behalf of refugees, and refugee-serving voluntary
agencies.
 Keeps informed about refugee and immigrant issues, and available
services to refugees, using current information to better identify and serve
refugee clients.
 Represents the program at meetings and speaking engagements relevant
to the responsibilities of the position.
 Undertakes other duties as assigned.
 Works varied hours, including some night and weekend work..
 
Qualifications:
Education: B.A. or 2 -years experience in refugee resettlement or related
field.
 
Experience: Previous work experience and interest in refugee resettlement
or other direct social services is desired. Ability to provide
culturally-sensitive counseling and case management is required.
 
Competencies:
Communications: Listen carefully to assure clear understanding of
instructions and requests. Communicate a positive, professional image of
CWS, demonstrating respect, empathy and integrity. Ask appropriate questions
in seeking explanations needed to perform job. Support transparency of
information by sharing information and ideas with others to support
effective performance. Understand staff roles and procedures and prepare
standard reports to track job progress or activities. Recognize the
particular needs of partners and use established channels to respond to
those needs. Understand and is able to use appropriate technology to
communicate with others inside and outside CWS. Respect and maintain
confidentiality of sensitive information within parameters defined by
supervisor and/or CWS policy.
Constituent Relationships: Understand who stakeholders are and be responsive
to their needs. Facilitate interactions and serve as a resource in relations
with stakeholders. Recognize and be sensitive to issues of concern to
stakeholders. Recognize and be sensitive to cultural, ethnic and religious
issues.
Job Knowledge: Understand the mission and values of CWS and faith-based
organizations and how they apply to their work and relationships with
others. Understand the work performed and how it supports CWS in achieving
its goals. Understand how to work multi-culturally with sensitivity and
integrity. Able to use and willing to expand learning of applications or
technology to perform job duties. Applies a depth of knowledge within area
of responsibility to implement assigned activities. Interpret CWSs policies
and procedures for staff and stakeholders, keeping the human side in
sight.
Leadership: Take responsibility for performance of own job duties. Model
behaviors that are consonant with CWSs mission and values in work
activities and relationships. Demonstrate sound judgment in performing all
duties. Recognize and use individual strengths to enhance work performance.
Recognize areas of weakness and seek assistance to improve performance. Take
initiative within area of responsibility. Respect the skills, needs and
schedules of others in performing assigned duties and responding to others.
Contribute ideas for implementing CWSs vision and strategic plan.
Problem Solving: Identify problems in procedures that affect program work
and recommend changes in systems or procedures to address them, and then
implement approved changes. Know whom to consult for assistance in solving
non-routine problems. Exercise creativity in resolving problems and trying
new ways of doing things. Know how and when to apply technical solutions to
problems. Share results of problem solving experiences with others. Remain
flexible in responding to organizational priorities.
Program Planning and Management: Anticipate work flow and take proactive
steps to balance work priorities. Gather, analyze and make use of
information and resources necessary to complete work. Set and communicate
deadlines and priorities. Successfully balance multiple activities, in
support of program or departmental goals. Manage contacts with internal and
external stakeholders to ensure flow of information and coordination of
efforts. Verify the accuracy and quality of own work and the work of others.
Resource Building and Stewardship: Recognize resource building potential in
all interactions and be responsive and professional in providing
information. Use financial and material resources provided by CWS to their
best advantage, including business equipment and supplies. Demonstrate
concern for natural resources in carrying out work activities. Make the most
of own time and resources to maximize stewardship to CWS. Demonstrate
respect for one another in relationships with staff, supervisors and
managers.
Teamwork: Understand what a team is and what it does. Demonstrate a
willingness to work on a team. Understand own role on the team and how it
fits in to the overall results to be produced. Contribute skills, knowledge
and ideas to team discussion and work. Accept accountability for assignments
made within the team and for producing results on time. Keep team leader and
members informed of work status. Demonstrate awareness of what other teams
do and how their work affects own team. Recognize and respect the importance
of work performed by colleagues. Understand organizational priorities and is
willing to set aside own tasks to assist others to complete high priority
tasks.
 
Other Skills:
Fluency in a refugee language is strongly desired, especially Arabic, Karen,
Burmese, or Nepali. Superior written and verbal communication skills are
required. The successful candidate must be computer literate, with
proficiency in MS Office (Excel, Word and Access) and internet applications.
 
 
How to Apply:
Send Resume to: Church World Service
Office of Human Resources  KWL
P.O. Box 968
Elkhart, IN 46515
or fax to 574/266-0087
or e-mail to cwshr@churchworldservice.org
Application Deadline: Received by July 7, 2008
 
Organization Web Site: www.churchworldservice.org/employment/
 
Email replies to: cwshr@churchworldservice.org