Anti-Trafficking Caseworker

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

IRC Oakland’s Anti-Trafficking department provides comprehensive case management services to survivors of trafficking and other violent crimes. IRC Oakland primarily serves immigrant survivors of trafficking. The Anti-Trafficking program works to find sustainable solutions that are appropriate for the unique situations of each client while concurrently partnering with community organizations and government agencies to raise awareness of human trafficking and identify the needs of survivors. 

Job Overview

Caseworkers serve clients through a holistic and broad spectrum of support, including but not limited to: connecting clients with legal service providers and housing resources, helping clients access public benefits, health providers, and psychosocial services and offering regular checks-ins to discuss safety and service plans. This position requires thorough knowledge and understanding of human rights, strengths-based, and trauma-informed approaches to best serve survivors of trafficking. This role employs key social work values, including survivor empowerment, professional boundaries, and requires familiarity with self-care practices and addressing vicarious trauma. This position is part of a 36 month contract.

Major Responsibilities: 

Case Management and Referrals
•    Provide trauma-informed comprehensive case management for survivors of trafficking to help them feel safe, empowered, and stable.
•    Ensure acute client needs are met in a timely and culturally appropriate manner.
•    Complete individualized initial assessment and safety planning, orientation to services, support, referral, and advocacy services by assessing and evaluating clients’ distinct needs.
•    Assist clients with referrals and access to appropriate resources including: shelter, physical and mental health services, and legal services to work towards a stable immigration status.

Partnerships and Community Engagement
•    Identify barriers to services and advocate for higher quality of services while developing and maintaining positive working relationships with key community stakeholders.
•    Advocate for culturally and linguistically appropriate services for clients.
•    Participate in outreach, including development and delivery of technical assistance and training to community-based organizations, government, and law enforcement officials, and others.

Documentation and Reporting
•    Ensure quality case notes and documentation, case file management and quality assurance.
•    Prepare, distribute and document direct assistance requests for clients including rent, utilities and other payments. Maintain record of case management expenses in case file.
Comply with all policies, procedures and protocols of the agency.
•    Other related duties as assigned.

Key Working Relationships: 

Position Reports to: Anti-Trafficking Coordinator
Other Internal and/or external contacts: 

Internal: Anti-Trafficking Caseworker will work closely with all members of Anti-Trafficking department. The Anti-Trafficking Caseworker will also develop working relationships with direct service providers in the following IRC departments: Economic Empowerment, New Roots, Health and Wellness, Housing, Resettlement, and Immigration. 

External: Caseworker will develop working relationships with local legal providers, social services, healthcare providers, educational institutions, employment programs, anti-trafficking task forces, relevant consulates, law enforcement, and other community-based organizations to support achievement of program requirements.

Job Requirements:

Preferred Experience:
•    Two years of relevant work experience in social service, case management, human service or related fields.
•    Undergraduate degree, preferred, with an emphasis in Social Work, Psychology, or an equivalent field of study preferred. Significant relevant work experience can replace education requirement. 
•    Compassion towards and understanding of unique needs of survivors of trafficking.
•    Ability to maintain a positive, cooperative, and professional demeanor with clients and partner organizations.
•    Ability to de-escalate stressful situations in a trauma-informed manner.
•    Ability to work well in a team-oriented, multi-cultural work environment.
•    Excellent oral and written communication skills, and high degree of organization related to the management of multiple clients, priorities, and projects.
•    Spanish fluency required.
•    Culturally sensitive skills particularly relevant to underserved communities preferred. 
•    Excellent organizational and case-file document management skills.
•    Working knowledge of legal providers, social services, public benefits, community organizations, health care systems, and related human services in the Bay Area strongly preferred.
•    Proven ability to contribute both independently and as a key team member.
•    Reliable transportation and a valid driver’s license required.

Working Environment: Hybrid work schedule, standard office environment; travel in and around the service delivery area required.

Compensation: (Pay Range: $26.00 - $27.00) 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.

Standard of Professional Conduct: The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality.

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US Benefits: We offer a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. In the US, these include: 10 sick days, 10 US holidays, 20-25 paid time off days depending on role and tenure, medical insurance starting at $143 per month, dental starting at $6.50 per month, and vision starting at $5 per month, FSA for healthcare and commuter costs, a 403b retirement savings plans with immediately vested matching, disability & life insurance, 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. 

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.