Health & Wellness Caseworker

Job Posting Organization:
The organization is the International Rescue Committee (IRC), which was established in 193

• The IRC is dedicated to helping people affected by humanitarian crises to survive, recover, and rebuild their lives. With a mission to restore safety, dignity, and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure, the IRC operates in over 40 countries and 26 U.S. cities. The organization employs thousands of staff members worldwide, working collaboratively to provide essential services and support to vulnerable populations, including refugees and displaced individuals.

Job Overview:
The Health & Wellness (H&W) Caseworker position is designed to address significant barriers to mental health services and wellness supports for vulnerable Spanish-speaking clients residing in Contra Costa County. The caseworker will engage in community outreach and provide culturally appropriate mental health education and healthy coping strategies through workshops and group sessions. This role involves planning and implementing outreach activities in collaboration with community partners to engage Spanish-speaking newcomers. The caseworker will conduct pre- and post-assessments to evaluate clients' knowledge and understanding of mental health and stress management, and will assist clients in accessing programs offered by IRC Oakland and external service providers. The position requires close collaboration with clients, colleagues, and external parties to coordinate referrals and develop tailored service plans that meet individual client needs and preferences, utilizing a wide range of financial, medical, social, vocational, and other resources in accordance with client eligibility and program requirements.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Health & Wellness Caseworker include, but are not limited to: determining client eligibility for PC programming and other IRC direct service programs by conducting screening assessments (such as the RHS-15), reviewing program expectations, outcomes, and confidentiality with each potential client. The caseworker will provide resource navigation and referrals as needed, assisting clients in navigating healthcare and social service systems. They will also provide individual cultural orientation and education on various social services. The caseworker is responsible for creating, planning, and implementing psycho-social workshop programming, covering topics related to managing mental health, such as emotional regulation, self-empowerment, and goal setting. Conducting knowledge assessments with clients before and after workshops to measure outcomes is also a key responsibility. The caseworker must complete intake and report documentation as required by funders, update mental health education tools and existing wellness workshop curriculum to ensure cultural appropriateness for Spanish speakers, and conduct community outreach while maintaining a strong network of service providers that meet client needs. Additionally, the caseworker may be expected to maintain relationships with local and state-level refugee coordinators and health coordinators, respond to client crises with guidance from a supervisor, maintain up-to-date documentation in client case files, and document all services provided in IRC’s database, Efforts to Outcomes (ETO). Attendance at relevant trainings and meetings at both local and national levels is required, and the caseworker may also train and lead the activities of volunteers and interns, along with other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:
The required qualifications for the Health & Wellness Caseworker position include a Bachelor’s degree in social work, public health, or a related field of study, which is preferred. Candidates should have 1-2 years of relevant work experience, with a significant portion of this experience involving responsibilities in community-based services, social services, education, capacity building, and/or humanitarian relief. Demonstrated skills and competencies required for this role include strong relationship-building, diplomacy, and networking skills, as well as the ability to effectively build internal and external relationships. An understanding of community integration, resettlement, and cross-cultural awareness is essential. Candidates should demonstrate success in working and communicating effectively in a multicultural environment, possess self-starter qualities with excellent problem-solving skills, and have the ability to prioritize and manage time effectively. Attention to detail and accuracy in work products is crucial.

Educational Background:
The educational background needed for the Health & Wellness Caseworker position includes a Bachelor’s degree in social work, public health, or a related field of study. This educational foundation is essential for understanding the complexities of social services and mental health support, particularly in a community-based context.

Experience:
The level of experience needed for the Health & Wellness Caseworker position is typically 1-2 years of relevant work experience. This experience should encompass responsibilities in community-based services, social services, education, capacity building, and/or humanitarian relief, providing the candidate with a solid foundation for the role.

Languages:
Fluency in both English and Spanish is required for this position, encompassing both spoken and written communication. This bilingual capability is essential for effectively engaging with the Spanish-speaking client population. Additional language skills may be considered an asset but are not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
The working environment for the Health & Wellness Caseworker includes a combination of standard office settings, remote work, and field time within the service delivery area to perform the outlined responsibilities. The role may require occasional weekend and/or evening work. Compensation for this position ranges from $29.10 to $30.00 per hour, with posted pay ranges applicable to US-based candidates. These ranges are determined by various factors, including the labor market, job type, internal equity, and budget considerations. Exact offers are calibrated based on work location, individual candidate experience, and skills relative to the defined job requirements. The IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer, considering all applicants based on 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. The organization offers a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits, including 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. Additional benefits include a flexible spending account (FSA) for healthcare and commuter costs, a 403b retirement savings plan with immediately vested matching, disability and life insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program available to staff and their families for counseling and care during times of crisis and mental health struggles.