Are you a person of compassion? An advocate for justice? Someone who stands up for the rights of the vulnerable and speaks out for the marginalized, the exploited and the forgotten? Do you believe in our calling as Christians to welcome the least of these and love our neighbor?
If you answered ‘yes’, to any of the above, World Relief, and millions of people around the world need you.
At this pivotal moment in time, we are rapidly expanding and growing our team to meet the increasing needs of our world. We are looking for people who want to use their gifts and talents to make a real and tangible difference in our world and the lives of the suffering.
If you’re looking for a purpose-driven career in which you can grow your talents, while also standing up for the rights of the vulnerable, we want you to join us today.
ORGANIZATION SUMMARY
World Relief is a global Christian humanitarian organization whose mission is to boldly engage the world’s greatest crises in partnership with the church. The organization was founded in the aftermath of World War II to respond to the urgent humanitarian needs of war-torn Europe. Since then, for 80 years, across 100 countries, World Relief has partnered with local churches and communities to build a world where families thrive and communities flourish.
Today, organizational programming focuses on humanitarian and disaster response, community strengthening and resilience, and refugee & immigrant services and advocacy.
This position is reliant upon funding and may be subject to modification or termination based on resource availability.
POSITION SUMMARY:
World Relief seeks a Refugee Case Worker. This position has responsibility for providing case management primarily to newly arriving refugee and immigrant families, including providing initial resettlement services, ongoing cultural adjustment support, orientations, referrals, and mediation services. The Refugee Case Worker will work closely with community organizations, churches, landlords, and service providers to promote successful community integration. This position is based in Chicago and requires visits to refugee families primarily in northern Chicago and the surrounding suburbs.
This is a limited-term position funded through a grant agreement until 9/30/2025 and contingent upon funding extension.
ROLE & RESPONSIBILITIES:
Client Services
- Ensure provision of timely and appropriate services to newly arriving refugee families during their first 90 days post-arrival in accordance with program guidelines.
Service provision includes:
- Ensure that clients promptly receive health screenings, enroll in public aid benefits, receive necessary documentation, secure internet access, obtain clothing & household items, and are enrolled in English classes
- Conduct home visits and assessments with refugee families
- Provide initial and on-going orientations to life in the United States as well as assist in creating an initial budget pre- and post-employment
- Conduct additional screenings and follow-up evaluations for cases with minors traveling alone
- Coordinate interdepartmentally on resettlement details including furniture provision, basic needs and grocery provisioning, utilities connections, airport reception, and transportation.
- Conduct comprehensive assessment with each refugee, develop individual service plans, and facilitate connections to appropriate services
- Ensure continued provision of appropriate services to immigrant families following their initial resettlement.
- Provide education/orientation to clients around paying housing and utility bills and connect clients to financial resources when appropriate.
- Provide mediation services between refugees and outside entities (i.e., neighbors, landlords, volunteers, service providers, etc.)
Administrative Responsibilities
- Maintain timely and accurate client files, case notes, and reporting records
- Manage details and arrangements necessary for newly arrived refugee cases to ensure proper resettlement
- Request checks from the finance department and ensure clients receive funds in a timely manner
- Actively participate in department meetings, staff development opportunities, program trainings, community activities, and organizational events
- Provide supervision and accountability for department interns
- Collaborate with volunteers and Volunteer Services staff to support the work of volunteers engaging with clients to meet the goals of the client’s service plan
- Other duties as assigned
JOB REQUIREMENTS:
- Mature and personal Christian faith
- Committed to the mission, vision, and values of World Relief
- Desire to serve and empower the Church to impact vulnerable communities
- Able to affirm and/or acknowledge World Reliefs Core Beliefs, Statement of Faith, Christian Identity and National Evangelicals For the Health of The Nation document
- MS Office skills required
- Ability to work a flexible schedule including occasional early mornings, evenings, and/or weekends
- Fluent in Spanish
- Valid driver’s license, and ability/willingness to drive 15-passenger van required
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Highly self-motivated with strong follow-through and ability to work independently.
- Adaptable and comfortable working in a fast-paced environment
- Strong organizational skills and ability to maintain detailed, accurate records
- Strong mediation and problem-solving skills
- Direct-service experience with immigrant populations preferred
- Cross-cultural experience and/or knowledge of the refugee/immigrant experience
- Excellent communication skills with people of varying English levels
- MSW or BSW preferred
- Understanding of social service provision in Illinois and Chicago
- Comfortable working in a team environment
World Relief offers a competitive benefits package and employee discount program for full-time and part-time employees.
World Relief is honored to be recognized with the Gold-level Cigna Healthy Workforce Designation for exceeding the core components of our well-being program including leadership and culture, program foundations and execution, and whole person health.
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Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
We are proud to be an EEO/AA employer M/F/D/V. We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing.
For World Relief staff, strong commitment to the mission, vision, and values of World Relief is essential, and Christian faith is a prerequisite for employment, based upon United States federal guidelines provided in Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
