Classification: Full Time | Non-Exempt

Salary:  Based on experience

Department: Organizing, Policy and Advocacy Department

Reports to:   Director of Organizing, Policy and Advocacy

Location:     Telecommute currently offered with transition to in- person services at CARECEN Los Angeles office.

Organizational Background: CARECEN was founded in 1983 by Salvadoran refugees and other human rights activists who worked to secure legal status for the thousands of Central Americans fleeing civil war. Today, CARECEN serves immigrants from around the world. Our mission is to empower Central Americans and all immigrants by defending human and civil rights, working for social and economic justice and promoting cultural diversity.

Job Summary : The Central American Resource Center (CARECEN) is seeking to hire a full-time, bilingual (Spanish/English) Caseworker who will focus on providing case management support for youth and families. The Caseworker is expected to have expertise in identifying trusted resources that includes need areas, but is not limited to, emergency housing, food pantries, educational support, and health services. The Caseworker will be able to support students that participate in CARECEN’s Leadership Program, College Head Start Program and Deportation Defense Project as well as other families that CARECEN serves. The caseworker will also work on an internal referral process within CARECEN’s services and programs that will help identify pressing needs of communities we serve.

Job Responsibilities/Essential Duties

●    In coordination with the Director of Organizing, Policy and Advocacy and key staff contribute to the expansion of CARECEN’s youth and families social services and case management capacity

●    Develop and maintain any necessary organizational wide resource lists that can help identify holistic programs and services for newly arrived youth, emergency housing, food pantries, educational support, and health services, among other areas of needs as assessed by the caseworker

●    Periodically analyze and adjust CARECEN’s referral and case management systems to best meet the needs of community members CARECEN serves

●    Analyses gaps in CARECEN’s case management systems and makes recommendations on standardized policies and procedures, and in conjunction with partners to assist in program development

●    Serve are liaison between external social services partners and CARECEN

●    Create periodic needs reports that highlights trends in needs and success stories of cases managed and support rendered

●    Develop materials for outreach purposes for directly impacted communities

●    Develop internal training material for staff trainings on relevant themes and topics

●    Identify and lead staff internal trainings (i.e. about referrals, social services, best practices, etc.)

●    Develop and/or outreach for mental health workshops for recently arrived migrant youth and families

●    Support social services advocacy efforts that informs about the community impact and needs from policy proposals identified by the Department Director or Policy Manager

●    Serves as key point person with consultants in aligning services that meet our organizational goals.

●    Work with and supervise consultants/volunteers/fellows supporting case management projects

●    Assist and contribute to grant opportunities and reporting as needed

●    Other duties as assigned by supervisor

Required Skill/Qualifications

●    Bachelor of Arts in a social welfare or related field OR equivalent combination of experience and professional education required

●    Minimum 2 years of substantive work experience working in the non-profit sector required with 1 year of community experience strongly preferred

●    Minimum 2 years of experience working with migrant youth

●    Minimum 2 years of casework experience with youth ages 14-26

●    Must be willing and able to work during evening hours/weekends as needed

●    Ability to take initiative, self-start, and be creative in addressing issues or problems with limited resources

●    Ability to work in a collaborative manner within the organization and community partners

●    Strong verbal and writing skills

●    Fluency in the English and Spanish languages required

●    Commitment to the mission and goals of CARECEN

Travel Requirements: Ability to travel for meetings and services at CARECEN office locations. Mileage reimbursement is available. Ability to drive with a valid CA license and a registered vehicle is preferred.

Benefits: CARECEN also offers a generous benefits package that has medical, dental, vision, and life insurance. Supplemental insurance and a 403(b) retirement savings plan are also available. Paid time off is also provided.

Application Deadline: Deadline to apply: Candidates are encouraged to apply immediately.

To Apply: Please email cover letter, resume, and at least three references to Alexandra Morales, [email protected]. Candidates are urged to be specific regarding level of Spanish fluency in the cover letter.

Only those applicants selected for interviews will be contacted. Applicants must apply directly. CARECEN will not consider applications through legal recruiting/staffing agencies. No inquiries or phone calls from applicants or legal recruiters please.

CARECEN is an Equal Opportunity Employer

 All qualified applicants shall receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ethnic group identification, ancestry, sex, age, marital status, political affiliation, condition of physical or mental disability, or sexual orientation, in accordance with requirements of Federal and State laws.