Community Resource Navigator

CASA INC & CASA IN ACTION SYNOPSIS:

CASA’s mission to create a more just society by building power and improving the quality of life in working-class: Black, Latino/a/e, Afro-descendent, Indigenous, and Immigrant Communities. Our vision is rooted in the collective power of our community, our inclusive, permanent, member-led movement radically transforms communities and systems to ensure the needs, dreams, and aspirations of members are fully met as we strive for justice and full liberation at home and in solidarity with others across the world. CASA has a sister organization, CASA in Action, a separate, but related, nonprofit organization that is exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code.  Although CASA and CASA in Action share a common goal of supporting immigrants and low-income people in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, they are separate organizations with their own board of directors. A set of employees at the two organizations, including the person filling this position, shares their time between the two organizations. This has no effect on salary or benefits.

DEPARTMENT SYNOPSIS:

The Health and Human Services Department responds to the needs of low-income Latinos and other immigrants and their families, utilizing service provision models that promote building the power of the immigrant community. This includes community education to prevent problems and build on community interest and assets, and working to impact trends that negatively affect low-income Latinos and other immigrants.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Community Resource Navigator performs comprehensive needs assessments of CASA members to identify, refer and assist in the acquisition of the most appropriate community resources available to address their social-economic needs. The Navigator is expected to research public and private social service resources available in the community, engage providers, and work to ensure services adequately address needs. The Navigator is expected to provide assistance to families in navigating through the local social service and healthcare systems.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Interviews and evaluates individual members and their families in order to identify social, emotional, mental, physical and economic needs.
• Outreach in person in areas where our target population lives and congregates. 
• Ability to guide community members in person or via telephone through health and social services. 
• Assesses individuals and families for eligibility for a variety of health and social services programs
• Work in collaboration with the Health and Social Services team to create an individualized wellness plan for each member client that addresses the scope of the needs presented.
• Refer member clients to resources identified in the wellness plan and provide follow-up to ensure delivery of services.
• Provide assistance with completing applications or other paperwork required to access service
• Provide all information and services in a manner that is culturally and linguistically appropriate and ensures accessibility for individuals with disabilities throughout Virginia.
• Ability to provide deep level case management through our internal systems to our community members in need.
• Able to work independently and in a team environment. 
• Regular data entry into CASA's reporting system to comply with contractors requests.
• Participate in assignments scheduled out of CASA's centers in response of contract requirements
• Provide quality customer service, interactions and responses to all members, partner organizations, vendors, visitors, callers and any other individual or organization you may encounter in your role with CASA.
• Understand, process, and promote CASA membership and services
• Must be able to work occasional nights and weekends. 
• Deep commitment to social change and to growing CASA as a membership organization in which members have decision-making authority.
• Experience in and strong commitment to workers' and immigrants' rights, including experience working with the immigrant community.
• Maintain a positive attitude
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned

EDUCATION/CERTIFICATIONS:

High School Graduate required, some college level courses preferred (in social or health sciences)

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Minimum 2 years experience working with low-income, immigrant communities, preferably at a non-profit or community based organization within a multi-ethnic/multi-cultural environment
• Demonstrated knowledge of the social service safety net in Virginia including general knowledge of Medicaid, Medicare, WIC, CHIP, health insurance, community clinics, and the healthcare system.
• Bilingual English/Spanish proficiency required. French proficiency is a plus.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite including Word, Excel, and Adobe PDF Professional.
• The ability to effectively collaborate with co-workers and clients face-to-face and in meeting settings is required.
• Deep commitment to social change and to growing CASA as a membership organization in which members have decision-making authority.
• Excellent customer service, problem solver, demonstrates initiative, great organizational skills.
• Position is contingent on proof of COVID-19 vaccination 

BENEFITS DESCRIPTION:

Who is eligible?

• All full time and part time permanent positions working 20 hours or more per week.

What We Offer:

• Generous paid time off, including: annual leave starting at three weeks per year (proportional accrual per pay period), two weeks of sick leave, three days of personal leave, and additional compensatory leave for exempt employees.
• Twelve (12) paid holidays per calendar year.
• Excellent Benefits Package including employer paid benefits as follow:
  1. Health, dental, and vision insurance (CASA pays 100%  of the premium costs for the employee up to our HMO plan, 55% for couples, 65% for children and 60% for family)
  2. Basic life and AD&D
  3. Long and Short Term Disability insurance 
  4. Professional Development: Those pursuing a course of study related to work performed at CASA may be eligible for a reimbursement up to $2,000.
  5. Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Additional voluntary benefits:
  1. FSA Account including Dependent Care.
  2. 401(k) retirement plan with a 2% employer discretionary match.
  3. Accident, Critical Indemnity, Hospital insurance.
• Allowances:
  1. Mileage reimbursements for those positions that are required to drive on CASA business.
  2. Cell Phone stipend for those positions that are required to use their cellphone for CASA business.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms.

The employee is occasionally required to stand; or reach for an object. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions and outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

ADA: The employer will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. 

OSHA: This position is not to handle any human body fluids, biological agents, laboratory chemicals, or be exposed to hazardous materials such as noise, asbestos, or carcinogens.

This is a union position, represented in collective bargaining by a Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Communication Workers of America, Local WBNG 32035 - Communication Workers of America (CWA). If you are offered and accept this position, you will be invited to become a member of the union. All bargaining unit positions require membership or agency fee payer status.

CASA Inc. and CASA in Action do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, mental or physical disability, ancestry, marital status or national origin.

This job description will be reviewed periodically as duties and responsibilities change with business necessity. Essential and marginal job functions are subject to modification. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. 

CASA has implemented a mandatory vaccination policy effective 01 February 2022, requiring COVID‑19 Booster vaccination(s) for all employees and prospective employees, AmeriCorps members, and paid or non-paid internships. In accordance with CASA's duty to provide and maintain a workplace that is free of known hazards, we are adopting this policy to safeguard the health of our employees, AmeriCorps members  and interns, and their families, CASA members and visitors, and the community at large from infectious diseases that may be reduced by vaccinations. In making this decision, the executive leadership team reviewed recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, CASA’s Legal Counsel and local health officials. All prospective employees will be required to provide proof of COVID 19 vaccination or appropriate medical / religious accommodation documentation prior to the first day of employment with CASA. AmeriCorps member candidates will be required to provide proof of COVID 19 vaccination or appropriate medical / religious accommodation documentation at the time of presenting proof of citizenship and SSN eligibility.