Managing Social Worker - Adult Program

**The Organization:**The Florence Project was founded in 1989 to respond to a representation crisis for indigent non-citizens detained at the rural Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Detention Center in Florence, Arizona. Through our programs today, we provide services to thousands of adults, youth, and children detained in Eloy, Florence, Phoenix, and Tucson, Arizona on any given day. In 2001, the Florence Project implemented our Integrated Social Services Program, one of the first of its kind in this field. The Florence Project provides high quality legal and social services and supports initiatives for national changes in immigration law and policy.

Managing Social Worker:

The position involves serving detainees in Florence and Eloy, Arizona. The Managing Social Worker will supervise the work of Social Workers and MSW interns (as applicable), mentor social services staff, provide social services case work to detained immigrants. The Managing Social Worker will also oversee training and professional development initiatives for social services staff, as well as trainings for legal staff for the Adult Program and participate with program development and outreach activities, in conjunction with the Social Services Program Manager, Managing Attorneys, the Legal Director, Deputy Director, and the Executive Director. This position reports to the Social Services Program Manager.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

Strategic Vision

• Lead program development with the Social Services Program Manager, including participating in annual strategic planning retreats with Board and staff.

• Lead the implementation of any changes to the scope of legal services provided or to the model for delivering those services.

• Design and implement goals, measures, and systems that successfully gauge the Adult Social Services Program innovation, growth, productivity, and effectiveness in achieving client and community needs and desired outcomes.

• Develop and implement legal strategies to address emerging issues in immigration and detention.

Supervisory Leadership Responsibilities

• Under the Social Services Program Manager's supervision, recruit, hire, train, and evaluate staff.
• Responsible for supervision of Social Workers and children’s Social Services Interns.
• Coach and support staff to ensure they have the necessary tools and resources needed to optimize performance and achieve established program goals and that effective communication exists among the staff and the team, including establishing and maintaining regular team meetings.
• Provide a collegial, calm, and collaborative work environment that is client-centered and ego-free.

Program Oversight

• Oversee weekly joint case review and intake review meetings with social work staff, orientation for new hires, and plan regular trainings for social work staff.

• Oversee criteria and procedures for accepting, opening, managing, and closing case files.

• Partner with other staff members to formulate strategies for cases and designate protocols for the allocation of limited resources.

• Develop and implement quality assurance protocols; ensure the quality of services provided to the public.

• Ensure accurate case management and record keeping.

• Oversee data collection by the staff, complete quarterly reporting to relevant partners and funders, and participate in relevant calls meetings and trainings.

• Work with Social Services Program Manager and other Managing Social Workers, Executive Director, and administrative staff to ensure that FIRRP’s social work practice is in compliance.

• Participate in weekly Adult Program Manager meetings and All-Manager meetings.

• Stay up to date on changes in FIRRP policy and managerial duties.

Casework

• Provide social services to detained individuals in Florence and Eloy facilities or released in Phoenix or Tucson, with the opportunity to hand-select case load with a focus on challenging casework, including cases involving individuals with severe mental health conditions with a caseload of about 15-20 cases at a time.
• Provide oversight and support to staff in crisis situations.
• Establish and implement policies and procedures.
• Ensure all staff complies with required ethical standards, preserve client confidentiality, and avoid conflicts of interest.

Advocacy

• Develop and maintain cooperative relationships with local and national community partners, including but not limited to private immigration attorneys, public officials, law enforcement officials, and other non-profits that provide services to the immigrant population.
• Develop and maintain professional relationships with I.C.E. and Core Civic staff, government and social service organizations, and community organizations.
• Communicate with the Social Services Program Manager and Advocacy program about possible advocacy initiatives and trainings for the community.
• Supervise and maintain regular communications regarding the work efforts of the Advocacy Social Worker

Other Duties & Responsibilities:

• Participate in organizational fundraising and outreach efforts as requested.
• Participate in developing and implementing special projects or presentations.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements:

• Master’s degree in social work (MSW). Licensed Master Social Worker.  Or willing to apply to take the exam within the 90 day probationary period.

• Experience (preferably 2+ years) providing social services to detained immigrants in removal proceedings.  Knowledge of immigration detention procedures and the psychosocial impact on this client population. Ability to assess situations, develop client-centric case plans, and respond to crises and difficult situations.

• Supervision experience

• Ability to assess situations, develop client-centric case plans, and respond to crises and difficult situations.

• Proven skills in achieving focused outcomes.

• Ability to connect clients with appropriate resources and build positive relationships with outside service providers.

• Aptitude for critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making.

• Strength of character, ethics, and commitment, and reliability.

• Ability to develop and implement case management documentation processes, organizing and tracking records and other data as needed.

• Fluency or advanced proficiency in Spanish is required.

• Demonstrated commitment to advocating for indigent immigrant clients in a respectful and empowering way, zealous support of the Florence Project’s mission, and displays a commitment to diversity and inclusion.

• Must be comfortable working with people with criminal convictions.

• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work with diverse populations.   Highly organized, and innovative thinker, and work in high-volume settings with limited resources.

• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.

• Highly organized, and innovative thinker, and work in high-volume settings with limited resources.

• Accuracy and attention to detail a must.

• Ability to do repetitive tasks for long periods of time.

• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work with diverse populations.

• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.

• Excellent problem solving, research, and analytical skills.

• Effectively manage multiple projects and meet deadlines.

• Demonstrate to be a hardworking, flexible, respectful team player that can work effectively in a collaborative, innovative, and client centered work environment.

• Ability to work independently, be adaptable, and reliable in the face of conflict, pressure, crisis, or changing priorities.

• Exhibits high ethical standards and the ability to maintain confidentiality.

• Must be able to pass federal and state background checks.

• Travel is required for this position.

• Must have a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.

• Proven computer skills.  Advanced understanding of basic office applications.

Preferred Requirements

• 2 years of prior experience working with immigrants, survivors of trauma, and with individuals with severe mental health issues is strongly preferred.

• Prior work or internship experience in immigration rights, human rights, LGBTQ rights, criminal justice, experience working with trauma survivors is a plus.

• Supervision experience

• Experience with databases and data tracking (i.e., Legal Server).

Working Conditions/Physical Demands:

• Frequent visits to detention shelters and centers and exposure to unpredictable environments and unknown potential medical conditions.

• Operate in a professional office environment and requires the ability to sit for long periods of time with intermittent walking, standing, bending, squatting, pulling and pushing.

• Ability to use standard office equipment such as scanners, computers, keyboards, phones, shredders, photocopiers, and filing cabinets. Requires the ability to lift up to ten pounds - accommodations may be available.

• Travel regularly between offices, and secondary work locations.

• Effective September 1, 2021, FIRRP has implemented a mandatory COVID-19 vaccine policy. To comply with this policy, active employees must be fully vaccinated by October 15, 2021. Employees seeking an exemption due to a medical condition or sincerely-held religious belief should contact our Human Resources Department at humanresources@firrp.org.

Salary & Benefits:

This is a full-time position. Salary is competitive for our field and geographical area. Salaries will be calculated based on relevant experience and our established comprehensive wage scale: $75,608.00 - $104,985.71 Annually DOE

We strive to create and uphold a positive, supportive, and inclusive work environment for all staff. We offer excellent benefits, including:

• Medical plans including health, dental, vision coverage, subject to plan terms

• Short Term Disability

• Eligibility for group benefits such as voluntary life insurance, subject to applicable waiting periods

• Retirement plan, subject to plan terms

• Paid Time Off earned on a biweekly accrual basis- Twenty-five (25) Days of Vacation Time, annually

• Five (5) Days of Medical/Sick Time, annually

• One (1) Day of Personal Time, monthly

• Eight (8) Week Paid Sabbatical, after three years of employment

• Bereavement leave.

• Fifteen (15) Organization-paid holidays, all observed

• Eligible for Parental Leave which includes Twelve (13) paid weeks

• Mileage reimbursement for travel between offices and places of work.

• Relocation Assistance for out of state new hires available for some positions.

Application Process:

This is an immediate opening. Salary is commensurate with experience. The position will remain open until we receive enough qualified applicants. To apply, please submit a cover letter detailing your interest in the position as well as your resume, three professional references and email a writing sample (choose a writing sample that you consider will be most relevant to this position). Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and candidates are encouraged to apply early. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted. The Florence Project values diversity in the workplace and strongly encourages applications from people of color, LGBTQ individuals, persons with disabilities, and members of underrepresented communities.

At FIRRP, we recognize that people come with a wealth of experience and talent beyond just the requirements of a job.  If your experience is close to what you see listed in our current job opportunities, please still consider applying.  Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and excellence, which is very much valued at FIRRP.  Therefore, we encourage people from all backgrounds to apply to our positions.  Please let us know if you require accommodations during the interview process.

This job announcement is for informational purposes only and is subject to change and modification without notice. This job announcement includes a non-exhaustive list of responsibilities, qualifications and requirements of the position, but does not necessarily include all the job functions of the position.