Community Associate

Job Overview:

With direction and guidance from the shift supervisor, community associates will deliver on-site trauma-informed social services at city sanctuary hotels throughout Vermont. Working cooperatively with hotel operations and security staff, community associates will welcome and engage migrant and asylum-seeking single adults, families with children, or adult families (without children) as they enter the sanctuary hotel and navigate Vermont. Community associates will complete culturally sensitive assessments to identify strengths, barriers, and service needs; make referrals to address those needs; and coordinate with City agencies, immigration services, and other community-based organizations.

Responsibilities:

Community associates will carry caseloads of 25 individuals or families and will be responsible for tasks including, but not limited to, the following:

• Culturally sensitive registration, intake, roster tracking, and assessment
• Bilingual Spanish/English case management
• Referrals to community-based programs and organizations
• Coordination with interpretation and translation services
• Referrals to ESL instruction
• Referrals for childcare
• Medical care coordination
• Referrals to immigration legal services
• Other tasks as necessary to facilitate delivery of necessary services to clients, including storage and distribution of packaged meals.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree or relevant social services experience with people who are vulnerable and have experienced significant trauma
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to learn quickly and problem-solve
• Strong organizational skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Basic understanding of immigration laws and procedures

Preferred qualifications:

• Fluent in English and Spanish (written and spoken)
• Bachelor’s degree in social work or other human services field + two years of relevant experience working with people who are vulnerable and have experienced significant trauma
• Solid understanding of trauma and experience delivering trauma-informed services
• Crisis intervention experience
• Knowledge of immigration laws and regulations
• Understanding of child development and child welfare

Schedule:

Full-time during the day, evening, or overnight shifts