Job Summary :
The Post Release Worker II is responsible for providing Level 1 & 2 post release services to youth who have been released from ORR’s custody to a sponsor in the United States.
The Post Release Worker II is responsible for assessing, facilitating and monitoring all assigned caseloads. The Post Release Worker II promotes the safety and well-being of children and coordinates supportive services in the community where the child resides.
The Post Release Worker II reports to the Lead Post Release Worker or designee. The Post Release Worker II maintains a flexible, organized and efficient work schedule and is subject to work extended hours, weekends and be on-call.
Essential Functions :
- Provide culturally and linguistically appropriate Post Release Services and comprehensive case management services.
- Complete thorough, individualized needs assessment with youth and sponsor.
- Provide post release services and conduct routine calls and home visits within Southwest Key and ORR guidelines.
- Link client and family with community resources and services.
- Establish helping relationships with client and families and provide advocacy as specified by SWK and contract guidelines.
- Assess for safety on an ongoing basis and report any concerns in accordance with mandatory reporting laws, State licensing requirements, and Federal laws and regulations for reporting to local child protective agencies and / or law enforcement.
- Complete post release visit documentation in a timely manner and in accordance with SWK and ORR standards.
- Write thorough and complete reports with minimal grammatical errors and other records as required for program.
- Maintain ongoing communication with supervisor as well as participate in weekly case review.
- Demonstrate the ability to react to change productively and handle other essential tasks as assigned.
- Coordinate all travel arrangements for home visits.
- Travel to other cities and states as needed for required home visits, training and implementation of new initiatives.
Other Functions :
- Maintain confidentiality for all client and program operations.
- Maintain professional and ethical standards as prescribed by Southwest Key and other relevant entities.
- Attend all organizational, departmental and program meetings to ensure that up-to-date information is received and / or information of policy changes or practice are adhered t
- Available to travel to other SWK and community sites as needed in order to support necessary program operations.
- Develop and maintain productive relations with local, state, and federal contact
- Reconcile all business and travel-related expenses as required by SWK.
- Maintain a safe work environment that is free from distractions.
- Complete home study cases as needed to support necessary program operations and / or ORR requirements.
- Perform other functions as assigned.
Qualifications and Requirements :
Required :
- Bachelor's Degree in Social Work (BSW) or an equivalent degree in behavioral sciences, human services or social services field with at least one (1) year of related experience.
- Knowledgeable about local social services and have experience with family preservation, working with immigrant populations, kinship care, and / or child welfare.
- Ability to communicate well both verbally and in writing.
- Ability to complete required reports and documentation in a timely manner.
- Excellent time management, organization, and task completion skills and must be flexible to schedule changes.
- Experience working with children, youth, and / or families from high-risk backgrounds.
- Must be fluent in English and Spanish.
- Ability to travel during up to 75% of work week via plane and automobile.
- Maintain a clean driving record and must be eligible to drive on behalf of SWK.
- Must possess a valid driver's license, current driver’s insurance and have access to reliable transportation.
- Successful completion of all pre-hire requirements, 86 pre-service training hours and on the job shadowing.
- Compliance with pre-service TB testing and PPD Reading. Bi-annual TB testing and PPD reading required thereafter for continued employment.
- Compliance with annual requirement of training hours as mandated by SWK and ORR.
- Must be computer literate with working knowledge of Microsoft Windows such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and other computer programs as required by the position.
Any candidate that does not meet the job requirements must receive written approval from the ORR Project Officer.
Physical Demands :
- Must have the ability to travel up to 75% of the work week via plane and automobile.
- Job requires extended periods of sitting and computer work.
Work Environment :
This is a work from home job where high levels of self-motivation and organizational skills are needed. Employees must have a quiet, private space in which to work at home.
Ability to work a flexible work schedule is required dependent upon the assigned caseload and duties. Work schedules are subject to variation and extended hours and may include weekend and holiday hours as needed in order to satisfactorily complete all job duties in a timely manner.