Community Services Caseworker

Jewish Family Services of WNY; Buffalo (NY); On-site; USD 29,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, Dental, and Vision insurance

4+ weeks PTO

401k with agency contribution

13+ holidays

35-hour work week

Job summary

Jewish Family Services of Western New York is seeking a Community Services Caseworker in Buffalo to provide case management for asylum seekers, refugees, and immigrants, helping them access medical, housing, employment, and educational services.

Join a mission-driven team offering supportive supervision, flexible hours, and a comprehensive benefits package. The role requires strong organizational skills, cultural sensitivity, and ability to coordinate with multiple partners.

Qualifications

• Minimum of an associate degree in a human services-related discipline.
• Experience providing direct services to refugees and immigrants.
• Experience linking clients to a broad range of essential, community-based services.

Responsibilities

• Provide Social Services: case management for asylum seekers and refugees per grant guidelines; assist housing, financials, benefits, medical appointments, school registration, food access, legal referrals.
• Advocate for client rights: coordinate interpretation services and link clients with legal supports to secure immigration status; promote access to health, social services, and related supports.
• Reporting and maintaining files: document contacts and services; complete case reports; schedule appointments and arrange transportation when needed.
• Development and training: provide interpretation/translation as applicable; attend meetings; participate in trainings.
• Programs interaction and support: work with AMP clients, provide referrals and collaborate with departments and management.

Skills

Social services

Case management

Cultural sensitivity

Communication

Education

Associate degree in human services

Tools

Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft Word

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Community Services Caseworker

FullTime Professional Buffalo, NY, US

30+ days ago Requisition ID: 1048

Salary Range: $21.00 To $28.00 Hourly

ABOUT JFS

For more than 150 years, Jewish Family Services of Western New York has been committed to providing high quality services to all in need in the interest of helping to "repair the world." Our services are guided by the essential connection between mental well-being, physical wellness, and positive self-worth. Our reputation is the result of our exceptional staff. In addition to offering competitive compensation and truly exceptional benefits, we are committed to providing a supportive work environment in which all employees are able to contribute their best.

OUR VALUES

Be a Mensch: We are ethical, kind, and admirable. We assume good intent and act with integrity. We are thoughtful and deliberative in how we support our clients, each other, and the community. “Choose generosity over judgment—every time”

Be Purpose-Built:We create spaces and programs that respect clients’ individuality and opens access. We strive to meet the individual where they’re at and give them the tools to be successful

Be Resolute: We work with tenacity to identify problems, seek out solutions, and get things done. Even small steps forward are acts of resilience.

SUMMARY

The Case Worker will provide case management services to asylum seekers, refugees, and immigrants, offering support and resources to help them achieve self-sufficiency, reduce poverty, and attain independence in the United States. This position primarily assists clients in accessing medical, social, employment, educational, and other essential services, while helping them navigate local systems.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

Provide Social Services:

• Provide case management services for asylum seekers and refugees as defined by grant guidelines. This may include housing search, financial management, access to public benefits, medical appointments, school registration, connection to food pantries, linkage to legal support and other services required by AMP guidelines.
• Complete intake and needs assessment and subsequent internal/external referrals to promote self-sufficiency and integration with a strong focus on employment.
• Provide ongoing cultural and community orientation to clients to promote independent access to community resources.

Advocate for client’s rights:

• Coordinate and/or advocate for interpretation services to clients to ensure equal access to eligible services regardless of language barrier.
• Advocate on behalf of refugees, asylum seekers, and link clients with legal supports to secure permanent immigration status.
• Promote client rights and access to social services, social security, health providers, mental health services, and other supportive services.

Reporting and maintaining files:

• Accurately document all contacts and services in client case files and maintain case note logs per funder guidelines.
• Complete case reports as required by grant funders.
• Secure and schedule appointments for clients with service providers and provide or arrange transportation to appointments when necessary.

Development and training:

• Provide interpretation and translation for agency services as applicable.
• Attend agency and department meetings as required.
• Participate in trainings as required.

Programs interaction and support:

• Provide Services to AMP clients, complete intakes, provide financial assistance and referrals for clients.
• Collaborate with different departments in the agency, case workers and senior managements.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

• Minimumofanassociatedegreeinahumanservicesrelateddisciplinerequired.
• Experience providing direct services to refugees and immigrants.
• Experience linking clients to a broad range of essential, community-based services.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Ability to provide culturally sensitive case management.
• Proficient communication skills for interaction with clients and the public.
• Strong time management and organizationalskills.
• Working knowledge of community resources for refugees and immigrants.
• Informed about refugee and immigrant issues, and available services to clients
• Strong computer skills, especially with Microsoft Outlook and Word.
• Familiarity with and appreciative of issues related to people with diverse cultures and languages.
• Fluency in refugee language (Somali, Nepali, Burmese, Chin, Karen, Swahili, French, or other) is preferred along with superior written and verbal communication skills.
• Judgment and Decision Making – Considers relative pros and cons of potential action to choose the most appropriate one.
• Time Management – Use time effectively and efficiently; value time; concentrate efforts on the more important priorities; gets more done efficiently and effectively.
• Client Focus – Understands and meets customer needs, whether internal or external, providing a high level of service and cooperation courteousness & sensitivity)
• Initiative & Adaptability – Deals with situations and issues proactively and persistently, personal willingness and ability to respond to change and ability to meet deadlines. Adapt to changing business needs, conditions, and work responsibilities
• Communication Intelligence – Listens to others, able to communicate issues clearly and credibly with widely varied audiences and overcome resistance; fosters open communication and manages emotion in positive ways.
• Client Focus – Understands and meets customer needs, whether internal or external, providing a high level of service and cooperation courteousness & sensitivity)

Expectation Based on Agency Values:

• Must possess a complete commitment to, and understanding of, Jewish Family Service’s Mission & Vision.
• Cultural Responsiveness – Ensure staff and programming treat each individual with respect – we honor staff and clients and meet them where they are with regard for their unique wants and needs.
• Partnership – Ensure staff and programs develop and maintain partnerships to support health and well-being and recognize its role in helping individuals and families achieve meaningful and lasting change.
• Trust – Work with integrity and be accountable and responsive to other’s to build a foundation of trust.
• Person Centered Care – Believe in and show through daily practice the dignity and inherent worth of every individual at every stage of life and work to address their needs as a whole person.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Will work in the office and in the community; travel is a daily requirement as part of the provision of services to refugee clients, including expectation to transport clients to and from appointments.
• Must have access to a reliable vehicle, possess a valid, clean driver's license and be sufficiently self-insured with liability insurance in the amount of $100/$300k.
• Flexible hours including days and some evenings, late nights, and weekends.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Physical activities and efforts required working in an office environment and the ability to move small furniture in preparation of an apartment. This may include making beds, arranging household items, and helping move client luggage.
• Visual acuity sufficient to maintain system of files and reports containing computer-generated and handwritten documents.
• Auditory acuity sufficient to communicate with staff and others by phone and in person.
• Mobility sufficient to conduct regular duties within a normal office environment and community.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• Competitive salary of $21 - $28, commensurate with experience and qualifications.
• Health, Dental, and Vision insurance.
• Accrued Paid Time Off (PTO) of 4+ weeks.
• 401k retirement plan with agency contribution of 4%.
• 13+ observed holidays annually.
• Reduced full-time work week of 35 hours and early close on Fridays.

The above pay range is a good faith estimate for the position at the time of posting. Final compensation may vary based on factors including, but not limited to, background, knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Jewish Family Services of Western New York is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.