Caseworker I

mercyFirst; Town of Oyster Bay (NY); On-site; USD 57,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Recruitment bonus

Health insurance package

403B retirement plan

Life insurance

Paid time off

Employee assistance program

Insurance discounts for staff

Training and development

Wellness program

Employee recognition

Job summary

MercyFirst in Syosset, NY is hiring a Caseworker I to provide coordinated services for unaccompanied migrant children and youth under the Refugee Services program. The role includes intake assessments, ongoing sponsor contact, and preparation of reunification documentation.

A bachelor’s degree in social work or related field and Spanish bilingual ability are required, with a preferred driver’s license. The position is full-time with a $57,000–$60,000 annual salary and a $1,000 hiring incentive

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in social work or related field.
• 1 year of related experience working with children/youth and families.
• Bilingual in Spanish required.
• Valid driver’s license strongly preferred.
• Must successfully complete all required training.
• Understanding and willingness to commit to the agency’s mission, Sanctuary commitments and DEI/Social Justice.

Responsibilities

• Actively identify and assess sponsors for a safe and timely release.
• Conduct intake assessments of minors to evaluate potential safety concerns and needs post release.
• Maintain regular contact with sponsor, and birth parents/legal guardians.
• Conduct regular casework sessions with each client in accordance with Federal, State, and Local mandates.
• Document all contacts in appropriate computer systems within established timeframes.
• Prepare all required reunification documentation on each case including reunification applications and background checks.
• Actively participate in staff training and supervision meetings.
• Arrange, monitor, and document visits with sponsors, advocates, or other entities.
• Respond to emergencies as needed and/or directed.
• Attend daily meetings and provide case updates to team members.
• Attend treatment team meetings with clinicians and supervisors.

Skills

Bilingual (Spanish)

Education

Bachelor’s degree in social work or related field

Job description

Caseworker I

Location: Syosset, NY

Reports To: Lead Caseworker

Department: Refugee Services

Schedule: Full Time

$1000 HIRING INCENTIVE

AGENCY BACKGROUND

MercyFirst is a not-for-profit human and social service agency that has been serving children and families in need since we were founded by the Sisters of Mercy/Hermanas de las Misericordia in 1894. Today our agency continues to address the emotional and physical needs of children and families in Brooklyn, Queens and across Long Island through innovative treatments and life-changing interventions. We provide community-based prevention and family foster care services, group homes in the community for struggling children and families within the child welfare and juvenile justice systems, and short-term residential services for unaccompanied migrant children. Each year, MercyFirst serves more than 3,000 children, teenagers and families overcome enormous obstacles, re-imagine their futures and develop their full potential.

PROGRAM BACKGROUND

The children in our START with Hope program are in the U.S. as children whose parents/guardians are not physically with them. Many of our children have fled dangerous and violent situations in their own home countries, including but not limited to Central and South America. Most of our children have suffered devastating losses through trauma, violence, abandonment, poverty, substance abuses, or abuse. The children’s safety, nutritional, medical, emotional health and education are our top priorities.

POSITION SUMMARY

Caseworkers provide coordinated services between our children and the individuals who are sponsoring them to stay in the U.S. Caseworkers maintain contact with the Office of Refugee and Resettlement on incident managements, children's status, family contact, etc. and prepare the documentation necessary for a safe release recommendation to the sponsor family. Prepare clear and accurate progress notes, need assessments, individual service plans and discharge recommendation and documentation. We want our kids to be safe! Caseworkers are expected to collaborate with ORR partners in evaluating and assessing all reunification and discharge options.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• All employment at MercyFirst under the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) is contingent upon successfully completing all onboarding and background check requirements in addition to completing ORR’s suitability process.
• ORR requires all candidates and employees to show proof of immunity to vaccine-preventable diseases transmitted by the respiratory route if working directly with children, including Varicella, MMK (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella) DTaP or DTap, and Influenza.
• Funding source for this position requires proof of certain vaccines (MMR, Varicella, and DTap). The MMR is for measles, mumps and rubella. The Varicella is for chicken pox. And the DTap is for diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (whooping cough). If you do not have proof of these vaccines, you can opt to be re-vaccinated or to take "titer" tests. Titer tests are simple blood tests that determine if you have enough antibodies in your immune system to still possess their protection or if you need booster vaccines.
• If you do not have proof of vaccinations, you can look at this website for tips on how to locate your records: https://www.health.ny.gov/prevention/immunization/locating_old_immun_records.htm#how_find
• Bachelor’s degree in social work or related field.
• 1 year of related experience working with children/youth and families
• Bilingual (Spanish) required.
• Valid driver’s license strongly preferred.
• Must successfully complete all required training.
• Understanding and willingness to commit to the agency’s mission, core values, Sanctuary commitments and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Social Justice.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Actively identify and assess sponsors for a safe and timely release.
• Conduct intake assessments of minors to evaluate potential safety concerns and needs post release
• Maintain regular contact with sponsor, and birth parents/legal guardians.
• Conduct regular casework sessions with each client in accordance with Federal, State, and Local mandates
• Document all contacts in appropriate computer systems within established timeframes.
• Prepare all required reunification documentation on each case which includes, but is not limited to reunification applications, coordinating background checks, scheduling of fingerprinting and release requests.
• Actively participate in staff training and supervision meetings.
• Arrange, monitor, and document visits with sponsors, advocates, or other entities.
• Respond to emergencies as needed and/or directed.
• Attend daily meetings and provide case updates to team members.
• Attend treatment team meetings with clinical and case manager supervisors, assigned clinician, program manager, etc.
• Other duties as assigned.

BENEFITS/PERKS

• Position may qualify for recruitment bonus
• A comprehensive health insurance package including medical, dental and vision plans for you and your family (fulltime required)
• 403B retirement benefits
• Employer-paid life insurance and long-term disability insurance
• Generous paid time off (vacation, personal, 12 paid holidays for fulltime, sick leave based on hours worked)
• Free employee assistance program through National EAP
• Insurance discounts for our staff and their families
• Training to support professional and personal development.
• Employee wellness program.
• Employee recognition activities

Salary Range

$57,000.00 – $60,000.00 per year
$1000 Hiring Incentive after 500 completed work hours

MercyFirst is an inclusive, anti-racist, multicultural organization and an Equal Opportunity Employer who welcomes prospective employees from diverse backgrounds for all levels at the agency. We strive for a workforce that is reflective of the communities we serve, and do not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, religion or creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, disability, age (18 and over), military status, prior record of arrest or conviction, marital status, partnership status, care giver status, pregnancy, genetic information or predisposition or genetic characteristic, unemployment status, status as a victim or witness of domestic violence, sex offenses or stalking, consumer credit history, or any other status protected by federal, state, and/or city law. This includes, but is not limited to, employment actions against and treatment of employees and applicants for employment.