POSITION: Case Manager
LOCATION: Within commuting distance of Brattleboro, Vermont
REPORTS TO: Executive Director
PAY SCALE: $26/hour
STATUS: Part-time with average of 25 hrs/week, non-exempt
Flexible Start-date: Mid-January 2025
ABOUT the Community Asylum Seekers Project (CASP)
Formed in 2016, the Community Asylum Seekers Project (CASP) is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization based in Brattleboro, Vermont.
CASP’s mission is to cultivate a supportive community for people seeking asylum in Vermont, while supporting basic needs and accompanying them on their journey towards building a life in this country. CASP currently supports over 30 asylum-seeking adults and children with wrap-around support, and approximately 60 people with general services, whom we refer to as our clients. Our clients come from Honduras, Sudan, Colombia, Afghanistan, Ghana, Russia, Mexico, Cuba, and several other countries. They attend local schools and churches, staff local businesses, and volunteer at local food banks and nonprofits.
JOB DESCRIPTION
The Case Manager will provide direct client services to asylum seekers in Southern Vermont to support a positive resettlement experience and assist clients towards self-sufficiency. They will act as the primary contact and liaison between current and prospective CASP clients, the Executive Director, interns, volunteers, service providers, and other community stakeholders. The position provides assessment of social work-related needs, linkage to services, accompaniment, advocacy for individual access to services, volunteer and intern coordination, grant writing support, as well as developing case management operational systems, best practices and reporting processes.
This role is responsible for engaging and building relationships with CASP clients–including managing client communications and creating clients' case plans and monitoring their progress, with the end goal of community integration and eventual independence from CASP services. With the support of the Executive Director, they will assist clients in identifying and navigating a broad range of social services, public benefits, and resources to meet individual needs and goals. They will work closely with hosts, staff, interns, volunteers, CASP’s Board of Directors, and community partners to build a welcoming, supportive, respectful, and safe environment.
Our new Case Manager will be a strong critical thinker with the ability to juggle competing priorities and pivot in a rapidly changing immigration landscape. They will be an excellent communicator, community builder, compassionate service provider, and collaborative and supportive teammate. A successful candidate will have respect and humility regarding cultural differences and a willingness to learn how to effectively be an ally across axes of difference. This role is perfect for someone passionate about upholding the rights of people seeking asylum and a drive to support asylum seekers on their journey to building an independent life in Southern Vermont.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES
Client Management:
- Act as primary contact with asylum-seeking clients, working with them to assess their needs and create case management and self-sufficiency plans under the direction of the Executive Director.The process involves an initial assessment, developing a tailored action plan with specific steps, and routine check-ins to monitor progress and make adjustments. Key strategies include skill-building workshops (like budgeting or job readiness), teaching clients how to advocate for themselves, and connecting them with community resources and support groups
- Provide individualized support through direct services and referrals. Enroll and assure follow up with clients and their families needing connection to resources related to health (including insurance enrollment and facilities), ESL, public school, food programs, vocational training, etc.
- Advocate on behalf of clients to ensure they receive appropriate services and support, and help them understand their rights and navigate complex social service systems. Accompany and interpret (or find interpretation services) for clients as needed to meetings with health, education, legal, and social service systems such as medical appointments, school enrollment, ICE check-ins, employment services, etc.
- Support clients in obtaining and maintaining housing and employment, serving as a liaison between potential and current employers, landlords, and CASP clients.
- Have in-depth knowledge of clients’ cases and legal status to fully understand, identify, and communicate priorities, high-need areas, strategic direction, legal implications, and financial impact to CASP staff, volunteers, CASP’s board, donors and other key stakeholders.
- Assess new clients’ case posture and eligibility for state and federal service programs--ensuring legal compliance.
- Assist the Executive Director and pro bono counsel with paralegal support as assigned and hours allow.
Stakeholder Engagement & Advocacy:
- Build and sustain collaborative working relationships with service providers and community partners, as well as attend stakeholder meetings, to stay up to date on the service provider landscape, including resource availability and eligibility requirements.
- Work to connect clients with supportive community networks and support systems to ensure their long-term integration in the community.
- Strategically advocate for the creation and promotion of greater access to services for people regardless of immigration status in Brattleboro area and statewide
Volunteer Management:
- Foster a spirit of respectful collaboration between CASP as an organization, its clients, hosts, and other volunteers—serving as a liaison between all parties.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for client-facing volunteers or volunteer team leaders, maintain regular communication on client management, and build positive relationships to ensure high satisfaction and retention rates. Oversee day-to-day volunteer activities for client-facing volunteers, providing feedback, resolving conflicts, and conducting periodic evaluations of volunteer performance.
- Assist with recruiting, vetting training scheduling and managing volunteers and hosts, in conjunction with the Executive Director, to support client case management.
- Assist in interviewing and screening volunteers, as well as in developing and implementing comprehensive training programs.
- Manage schedules of client-facing volunteers, and ensure all shifts and events are adequately staffed–utilizing our volunteer CRM database, Little Green Light, generating reports as needed.
- Assist in planning and organizing volunteer appreciation events and implement recognition programs to honor volunteer contributions and foster a positive volunteer culture.
- Assist in recruiting, interviewing, onboarding, training, and supervising interns.
Operational Systems:
- Maintain written records of case objectives and progress. Detail client interactions in accordance with program requirements and input client information in client database(s).
- Collaborate with staff and leadership to assess organizational needs, identify new volunteer opportunities, and create or update policies and procedures to ensure the program's effectiveness and compliance with relevant legislation and organization policies.
- Implement structured processes for assessment, planning, monitoring, and documentation to enhance case management effectiveness–supporting the Executive Director in developing resources and systems that streamline and operationalize case management best practices.
- Participate with interdisciplinary teams on high-risk immigration cases, researching and staying up to date on a rapidly changing political and legal landscape for immigrants.
- Provide periodic client updates to the Executive Director on the status of cases and recommend appropriate changes–strategizing on next steps and elevating urgent needs as needed.
- Provide support with grant research, writing, tracking and reporting as needed.
- Ensure that clients and volunteers comply with CASP policies—communicate areas of concern to the Executive Director and troubleshoot possible solutions.
- Work on other projects and duties as assigned.
Required Skills and Qualifications:
- 1-2 years of experience in social work, case management and/or working with service providers supporting vulnerable populations.
- Bilingual in Spanish and English, or professional proficiency in both languages.
- Current working knowledge of community resources available to assist clients OR willingness to learn in a short period of time.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills
- Adherence to legal and ethical standards, including confidentiality, compliance and informed consent. Demonstrated experience maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.
- Excellent organizational, project management, and time-management skills, with the capacity to manage multiple tasks and deadlines efficiently.
- Cross-cultural sensitivity, empathy, patience, and the ability to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
- Bachelor’s Degree or comparable work experience required.
- Ability to use insured personal vehicle and public transportation (where available) to transport clients and materials as needed throughout the service delivery area.
Preferred Qualifications & Skills
- Professional and/or lived experience with the U.S. immigration legal system and immigrant communities, including understanding the socio-economic impact and emotional challenges of immigration as an asylum seeker is a plus.
- High proficiency in Microsoft and Google Suites, virtual meeting platforms, and strong ability to learn new technological systems, such as project management or CRM systems.
- Familiarity with data management and CRM systems, such as Salesforce and Little Green Light.
- Ability to be mindful and employ problem solving creatively within the confines of a limited organizational budget.
- Flexibility and ability to adapt within a rapidly changing immigration legal landscape.
- Able to handle stress, take initiative, and remain calm, as well as balance work with self-care.
- Proven experience in volunteer and intern management, or a related role, preferably within a non-profit or similar setting.
- Experience creating programmatic materials and systems to streamline and improve program and team capacity.
- Familiarity with the needs of vulnerable populations (LGBTQ+, victims of violence, English as a second language, etc) is preferred.
- Skilled in peer support, group facilitation, trauma-informed care, conflict resolution, and intercultural communication.
- Other languages skills are valued.
Certifications/Licenses/Registrations:
- An insured vehicle, valid driver's license and reliable transportation. Must be able to pass a background check and DMV record check.
Hybrid position: This is a part-time, hybrid position. The case manager will be expected to be present in the office two days a week to meet with clients and the Executive Director. Some availability on evenings and weekends is necessary for client support and stakeholder meetings.
To apply: Applications will be given full consideration by January 10th. After January 10th, applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis. The position will be open until filled. Please submit a cover letter and resume via email to info@caspvt.org. Please include “Case Manager Application” in the subject line of the email.
A Note to Potential Candidates: We recognize that potential candidates with identities that have been historically excluded from the nonprofit field may be less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every one of the qualifications as described in the job description. We consider lived experience, volunteer work, and transferable work skills valuable. We also recognize that diverse experiences and a diverse staff enhance our ability to carry out our mission. If you feel passionate about our efforts and believe you have the skills to contribute to the growth of our organization, we want to hear from you!
CASP is an equal-opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. CASP encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status, and record of arrest or conviction, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Black people; Indigenous people; people of color; LGBTQI+ people; immigrants; women; people with disabilities; protected veterans; and people from other underrepresented backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.