Caseworker, Unaccompanied Children Program

IRC seeks a bilingual caseworker to join a new legal services program in Dallas to provide legal representation to unaccompanied children in a federal short term shelter facility, and provide case management to unaccompanied minors who age out of the federal foster care custody. The caseworker will support the Children’s Attorney and other legal program staff in providing Know Your Rights presentations, intakes, referrals and direct legal services to represent children in applying for asylum and other humanitarian forms of relief. In addition, the caseworker will work with foster care and shelter staff to secure housing, education, employment, medical and the basic services for unaccompanied minors aging out from the federal foster care system.

Job Overview/ Summary:

The caseworker will support the Dallas office immigration team to coordinate Know Your Rights presentations, intakes and legal representation, focusing on detained, unaccompanied minors who recently entered the United States. This position requires an individual who is patient, passionate about children and prepared to work with vulnerable children of all ages. The bilingual case worker will have stellar interpersonal and trauma-informed listening skills, be highly organized and have excellent attention to detail, and be able to work both in a collaborative team environment and independently on assignments.

Major Responsibilities:

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the items listed below.

• Assist in conducting presentations, intakes or follow-up meetings with unaccompanied child clients, gathering supporting documents, and preparing translations;

• Input data into multiple tracking and referral databases;

• Provide interpretation for clients at interviews, as needed; translate documents written in Spanish;

• Coordinate with other IRC program staff to provide wrap-around services, where appropriate, and prepare referral packages for children who move out of local jurisdiction;

• Develop and foster partnerships with community organizations focused on housing, education, employment and special services for young adults.

• Communicate with clients to provide case status updates, request documents and other information, schedule appointments, and manage other communication as needed.

• Provide case management for children who have aged out of the federal foster care system;

• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• An undergraduate degree or equivalent work experience in the social work field;

• Fluency in both Spanish and English required;

• Minimum of one year of related work experience;

• Experience working with children or individuals afflicted with trauma strongly preferred;

• Excellent attention to detail, ability to multi-task, and comfort working in a fast-paced environment;

• Demonstrated ability to work independently, solve problems and exercise sound judgement;

• Evidence of capacity to be a strong team member in a highly collaborative social service environment;

• Deep commitment to working with immigrants, children, and asylum seekers;

• Trauma-informed and sensitive listening and communication skills;

• Personal integrity in handling ethically complex and confidential situations; and

• Strong computer literacy, research, and analysis skills.

Working Environment:

• Standard office environment or work from home arrangements combined with weekly travel to Fort Worth short term shelter.

• Occasional evening and weekend hours required.