Job Description

Are you looking to make a real difference in the lives of others? Join the Catholic Charities team! For the last 100 years, we have had the distinct honor to provide help and hope for those in need. At Catholic Charities, our mission is to empower individuals and strengthen families. We do this through our vital programs including a food pantry, counseling services, emergency family shelter, community resource coordination, and domestic violence and sexual assault programming. We care for the dignity of the person, regardless of background and strive to provide unparalleled support for those in need.

The Case Manager supports newly arrived refugee clients throughout the contracted federal Program of Initial Resettlement (PIR) process. Under the Catholic Charities’ Community Resource Coordination (CRC) program, this role assists clients in obtaining necessary services including housing, healthcare, education, eligible public benefits, and other services. In addition, the Case Manager directly transports and accompanies clients to appointments and delegates tasks to Case Aide, volunteers, and interns as necessary to ensure all services are provided within deadlines. This position maintains detailed written documentation of services and completes case files, while effectively multitasking in a fast-paced environment.

We Offer

• Competitive pay
• 35-hour workweek
• Generous vacation and sick pay
• 14 paid holidays
• Paid Parental Leave
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Comprehensive benefits including Medical, Dental, Vision, and Flex Spending Plans
• Employer-paid Life Insurance and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching
• A supportive and uplifting working environment

Key Responsibilities

• Welcome newly arriving clients at the airport, often late at night.
• With support of Case Aide, secure satisfactory, safe, and sanitary housing prior to clients’ arrival; help clients to understand and sign lease; maintain good working relationships with landlords; and handle miscellaneous issues that arise.
• Travel throughout the Des Moines metropolitan area and surrounding communities throughout the 23 counties of southwest Iowa in the Des Moines Diocese, to assist clients as needed.
• Complete all required reports from funders such as CCUSA and the Bureau of Refugee Services.
• Build relationships with Ethnic Community Based Organizations and other community partners to support clients. Participate in community meetings and events as applicable.
• Provide clients with orientation on home safety, culture, and riding DART buses in conjunction with other CRC staff.
• Assist clients in obtaining Social Security cards, enrolling in public food assistance, cash assistance, Medicaid programs, and obtaining Supplemental Security Income when applicable.
• Coordinate initial health screenings and appointments for acute health issues, educating clients about obtaining required immunizations for school registration and green card filing.
• Facilitate school enrollment for children.
• Complete home visits for clients at designated intervals. Evaluate client situation and assess needs, using independent judgement in determining appropriate action and/or referral to other agencies that provide needed services.
• Ensure all required services are provided to clients in a timely manner. Delegate tasks to Case Aide, volunteers, and interns as needed.
• Maintain required records such as case notes, client visit records, and other case file documents.
• Coordinate with other Catholic Charities staff and community providers for services.
• Deliver all services in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner, frequently working with third-party interpreters to communicate with clients.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Sociology, Social Work, International Studies, or related field; or 1-2 years related job experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Knowledge of crisis intervention, social work programs/practices and previous work with underserved or limited English communities preferred.
• Good communication skills. Ability to understand and communicate with limited English-speaking clients, including having the expertise to speak to clients through interpreters. Good listening and comprehension skills, seeking clarification when needed and using appropriate communication methods. Ability to clearly express ideas and thoughts in both written and verbal form.
• Good interpersonal skills. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a wide variety of people having diverse social concerns and problems, while maintaining personal boundaries.
• Ability to work effectively as a member of a team, keeping others adequately informed, offering assistance and support to colleagues, and contributing to a positive team spirit.
• Knowledge and experience and/or willingness to learn global culture, global migration and the work of refugee resettlement.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize effectively.
• Demonstrated reliability. Maintains good attendance and punctuality. Effectively follows directions.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and related software. Ability to learn program specific software applications.
• Multilingual preferred, particularly in Arabic, languages from Eastern Europe, or languages from Burma/Myanmar.

Additional Expectations

• Travel to our service area sites required on a regular basis. Must have a valid driver’s license and be able to successfully pass Motor Vehicle Record check.
• Ability to pass a criminal background screening, including Child and Dependent Adult Abuse registry check is required. Compliance with Safe Environment training and monthly bulletins.
• Must maintain absolute confidentiality of information, written or verbal, according to policy and legal requirements.
• Attend staff meetings, community meetings, approved seminars, agency trainings/retreats, and professional conferences.
• Possess a strong commitment to the mission of Catholic Charities including the understanding of Catholic Social Teaching and ability to demonstrate the philosophy and values of the agency. Employees are expected to support the Catholic Social Teaching principles in public forum. Fulfillment of the employee’s job responsibilities should be consistent with the teachings of the Catholic Church.