Program Manager Refugee Resettlement Jobs in Washington

The RSSEP Case Manager recruits, enrolls, and provides comprehensive employment-focused case management to refugees, asylees, Afghan and Iraqi Special Immigrant Visa holders, Afghan humanitarian parolees, victims of trafficking, and all other ORR-eligible populations enrolled in LSSNCA’s Virginia's Refugee Social Services Employment Program (RSSEP). The Case Manager helps clients identify and remove barriers to employment — including health, housing, transportation, childcare, and language barriers — while delivering job readiness, placement, retention, and other support services that lead to durable economic self-sufficiency, including areas as outlined in in the Office of Refugee Resettlement’s 45 CFR 400.150-400.155 guidelines (eCFR :: 45 CFR Part 400 Subpart I -- Refugee Social Services). The Case Manager ensures all services are delivered in compliance with Virginia Department of Social Services, Office of New Americans (ONA-RS) requirements and coordinates closely with Local Departments of Social Services (LDSS) on RCA and TANF work-requirement compliance.

Essential Functions
RSSEP Case Management & Employment Services

•    Conduct RSSEP initial intake interviews with newly enrolled clients, explaining program goals, participation requirements, and consequences of non-participation.

•    Develop and jointly complete a Comprehensive Resettlement Plan (CRP) and Individual Employment Plan (IEP) with each client, identifying employment goals, barriers to self-sufficiency, and service strategies.

•    Provide pre-employment and post-employment counseling, coaching, and mentoring, including American workplace orientation, job referral, job search assistance, and job placement.

•    Conduct job development through direct employer contacts to identify suitable employment opportunities consistent with client skills, abilities, and experience.

•    Coordinate English Language Training (ELT), vocational training, and Skills Training for Enhanced Earnings Potential (STEP) referrals concurrent with employment activities.

•    Provide employment support services as authorized, including transportation, childcare, and interpretation/translation related to employment and case management activities.

•    Perform post-employment job follow-up to verify retention and identify needs for additional job retention or upgrade services.

•    Provide additional interpretation, information and referral supports, and individual or group outreach services to promote employability, and job upgrades if needed, of each client.

•    Conduct ongoing assessment of client progress, update the CRP/IEP, and connect clients to appropriate community resources to address emerging barriers.

Barrier Removal & Holistic Support

•    Identify and address client barriers to employment and self-sufficiency, including health, housing, transportation, childcare, and mental health needs. Develop plans for service delivery and make appropriate referrals as needed.

•    Coordinate with internal LSSNCA organizational programs and external partners to ensure clients receive holistic, wraparound support.

•    Consistently build and strengthen partnerships with service provider agencies, employer networks, ESL providers and others to strengthen program services.

•    Assist eligible clients in accessing affordable health care, public benefits, legal assistance, and other community resources affecting their ability to obtain or maintain employment.

•    Provide culturally and linguistically appropriate service delivery consistent with each client's background, ensuring equal access to services regardless of gender.
 

Compliance, Coordination & Documentation

•    Determine, document, and report good-cause reasons for client non-participation in accordance with RSSEP policy (e.g., medical condition, lack of transportation, caregiving responsibilities).

•    Notify the Local Department of Social Services (LDSS) within 24 hours of an RSSEP case closure due to non-participation, and coordinate with LDSS TANF/VIEW and RCA staff regarding work-requirement compliance.

•    Maintain accurate, timely client records in the Virginia Newcomer Information System (VNIS) or other database as required by ONA and in Apricot, including intake records within 5 business days of intake and all subsequent service entries within 5 business days of the action.

•    Complete and maintain all required RSSEP forms, including the RSSEP Registration Form, Mutual Responsibility Agreement, Communication Participation Form, and Release of Information Form.

•    Support clients designated as remote placements (50+ miles from a service site) by delivering employment services via telephone or digital means and documenting ongoing contact and follow-up.

•    Assist with case file reviews, funder monitoring visits, and audits as needed to ensure compliance with ONA and RSSEP contractual requirements.

•    Participate in staff meetings, in-service trainings, coordination with PQI documentation requests, and partner meetings to ensure coordinated, quality service delivery.

•    Other duties as assigned for program development and excellence in meeting program goals.
 

Education

•    Bachelor's degree (four-year college or technical school) required in Social Work, Human Services, Workforce Development, or a related field; equivalent relevant experience considered.

Experience

•    At least 1 year of experience in refugee resettlement, employment services, case management, or workforce development.
•    Experience developing individualized service or employment plans preferred.
Other Requirements
•    Valid driver's license, clean driving record, and reliable personal transportation.
•    Background check, 
•    Working knowledge of, or ability to be trained on, VNIS and Apricot case management systems.

Preferred Skills

•    Knowledge of the U.S. Refugee Resettlement Program and RSSEP eligibility, priority-of-service, and participation requirements as outlined in in the Office of Refugee Resettlement’s 45 CFR 400.150-400.155 guidelines (eCFR :: 45 CFR Part 400 Subpart I -- Refugee Social Services)
•    Understanding of RCA/TANF work requirements and the VIEW program, and ability to coordinate effectively with LDSS caseworkers.
•    Familiarity with local labor markets, employer engagement, and job development strategies.
•    Excellent oral and written communication skills in English; fluency in Dari, Pashto, French, Spanish, Swahili, Haitian Creole, or Arabic preferred.
•    Strong organizational skills and ability to manage a diverse caseload with competing deadlines.
•    Cultural humility and ability to work effectively with clients from diverse cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
•    Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) and case management databases.

Performance Measures

In addition to successful completion of the essential functions of this position, employee performance measures include mastery of professional competencies established for the organization, including: accountability, commitment to excellence, specific job competencies, initiative, timeliness of work, customer relationships, alignment with ethics, professional judgement, advancing equity/advocacy/social justice, integrity, teamwork/collaboration, accessibility, cultural humility, service excellence, knowledge of work/policies/procedures, commitment to on camera and/or in person presence in team and partner meetings, and learning new skills.