Senior Caseworker, HSPRS

Position description

The IRC’s Home Study and Post-Release Services (HSPRS) for unaccompanied children in the U.S. is operating in more than 17 offices throughout the US. This is a national, multi-million-dollar project with ambitious delivery goals in a short time frame. This position is part of a 36-month contract, ending on September 30, 2026.

The goals of the Home-Study Post Release Services Program (HSPRS) are to:

• Assess the safety and suitability of a sponsor before an unaccompanied child is released from custody into a sponsor’s care (Home Study)
• Provide case management support via remote and / or conducting in-home visits to ensure the continued safety and stability of children in sponsor’s homes and linking children to resources in the community (Post Release Services).

The Home Study and Post Release Services Senior Caseworker (Level 2) conducts home studies to determine a potential sponsor’s ability to meet an unaccompanied child’s needs upon release from the Office of Refugee Resettlement’s custody and provides post release services to help unaccompanied children and sponsors meet their presenting needs. The Senior Case Manager (Level 2 ) is responsible for assessing safety, developing a strengths-based service plan, providing psychoeducation, developing safety plans where needed, ongoing assessment, and referring and connecting children to community-based services.

Major Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Conduct an initial in-home assessment with child and sponsors followed by regular weekly or monthly contact depending on safety and need for six months or until their 18th birthday or the child obtains legal relief; requirement that there at a minimum be in person contact at 14, 90- and 180-days.
• Develop individualized service plan that guides the provision of high quality, trauma-informed case management services.
• Complete home visits to meet with children and their sponsors post-release, to assess the safety of the child, flag any safety and protection concerns, and assess needs across multiple life domains.
• Conduct a comprehensive assessment to provide a recommendation for the purpose of reunifying children with their potential sponsors, including conducting interviews with shelter case managers, clinicians, the minor, sponsor, and all household members. This includes completing an in-person home visit and documenting findings in a comprehensive report within 10 days of referral.
• Conduct a mental health assessment of the child and/or sponsors, using validated instruments.
• Continually assess ongoing changes in behavior and general conditions that could impact the safety, wellbeing, and success of children
• Partner with crisis support staff to develop safety plans and ensure appropriate crisis intervention support when necessary, including involving Child Protective Services, law enforcement and various local stakeholders that can include placement disruptions.
• Provide referral and connection to: Legal services; Education and English language classes; Medical care and behavioral healthcare; Placement stability and safety services; Assistance with immigration proceedings; Assistance with guardianship proceedings; Family stabilization/counseling; Substance abuse treatment; Gang prevention services; Youth programming (such as youth mentoring, tutoring, afterschool and vocation programs, sports clubs, or other extracurricular clubs, etc.); Services related to cultural heritage and other traditions; and Integration and independence support as appropriate.
• Use a child centered, developmentally appropriate and trauma-informed approach to address the needs and concerns of children and sponsors.
• Maintain a strong understanding of trauma-informed principles and approaches, protection and safeguarding, and mandatory reporting.
• Provide timely documentation of all check-ins, in-home visits, referrals and referral outcomes, and progress and outcomes in case file.
• Build and maintain relationships with community services providers in relevant areas.
• Maintain accurate records in electronic case files and required databases.
• Submit required reports and documentation in a timely manner.
• Ensure the confidentiality of children and their cases.

Job Requirements include but are not limited to:

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, sociology, or other relevant behavioral science
• Written and verbal fluency in Spanish and English
• Minimum of two years of related professional experience working with children, family reunification/ preservation, kinship care, foster care, child welfare, and/or conducting home studies required, or one year of related experience with a master’s degree
• Experience working with immigrant populations; experience working with unaccompanied minors preferred
• Knowledge of local community social services and navigating the social service system
• Demonstrated success working and communicating effectively in a multi-cultural environment
• Proven ability to contribute both independently and as a key team member
• Self-starter with excellent problem-solving skills combined with the ability to prioritize duties and manage time effectively
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook), Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and other platforms
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to travel nationally up to 70% of the time.
• Possess a valid driver’s license and access to a personal, insured vehicle that is reliable and in good working order.
• ORR approval of candidate is required along with clearance from Child and Abuse Neglect background checks and FBI fingerprints. These checks will be initiated by the IRC after acceptance of the position.

Working Environment***:*** The Senior Caseworker provides in-person case management and will be required to travel. A variable work schedule / hours including non-traditional hours such as evenings and weekends will be required to accommodate sponsors’ and children’s schedules. A private, dedicated workspace is required.

Compensation: (Pay Range: $25.00 – $31.73) 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.

Professional Standards: All International Rescue Committee workers must adhere to the core values and principles outlined in IRC Way – Standards for Professional Conduct. Our Standards are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Safeguarding, Conflicts of Interest, Fiscal Integrity, and Reporting Wrongdoing and Protection from Retaliation. IRC is committed to take all necessary preventive measures and create an environment where people feel safe, and to take all necessary actions and corrective measures when harm occurs. IRC builds teams of professionals who promote critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity to deliver the best possible services to our clients.

US Benefits: We offer the following benefits to short term employees in the US: 403b retirement savings plans with immediately vested matching, sick leave, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support counseling and care in times of crisis and mental health struggles.

Application instructions

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