Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) Specialist

About the position

The Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) Specialist at Global Refuge is responsible for supporting the RCA program, which assists refugees in achieving self-sufficiency through cash assistance and related services. This role involves assessing client eligibility, managing cash assistance payments, and collaborating with various internal and external programs to provide comprehensive support to clients. The RCA Specialist plays a crucial role in ensuring that clients receive the necessary resources and guidance to navigate their new lives in the United States.

Responsibilities

• Provide culturally and linguistically appropriate client-centered, trauma-informed support.
• Understand and adhere to guidelines set forth in the RCA public/private partnership agreement regarding clients' eligibility and enrollment, program length, benefits computation and explanation, report requirements, notices and policies.
• Coordinate with Refugee Support Services providers in region 2 and 3 to ensure appropriate and timely RCA referrals and service provision.
• Create and maintain an active client case file and list on the SharePoint site using State-designed template.
• Collect and maintain appropriate documentation and income information in client's case files and determine client's initial and continued eligibility for cash assistance.
• Maintain regular communication with clients regarding RCA program requirements including but not limited to changes in cash assistance payment, required reports and compliance, and change of address.
• Maintain up-to-date documentation to ensure services are properly documented throughout the client's service period.
• Conduct computation of monthly cash assistance and incentive payments to clients, generate payment requests and transmit payment requests for manager approval and Accounts Payable for payment.
• Track and maintain client's payments (cash assistance, employment retention bonus and English language classes (ELL) attendance incentive) and follow appropriate procedures to ensure recovery of overpayments and correction of underpayments in the RCA program.
• Monitor and track monthly client's compliance to remain eligible for cash assistance, unless where exceptions apply.
• In coordination with the ELL provider, ensure RCA clients maintain a minimum of 60% attendance rate while enrolled in ELL classes unless there is a reasonable cause for exemption.
• Assist in the preparation of Federal and State Required Reports including ORR-6, Annual Outcome Goal Plan, Annual Service Plan, ORR-1 RCA estimate, and quarterly file review reports.
• Coordinate and collaborate with Case Managers, Employment Services, Social Services, and other programs clients are enrolled to facilitate RCA program administration and support path towards client's self-sufficiency.
• Monitor service provision to ensure non-duplication of services with other federally funded programs.
• Manage deadlines ensuring RCA reports, ELL attendance, and client employment and income information are submitted to ensure timely processing of monthly payments.
• Handle problems that arise to ensure compliance with program requirements.
• Provide gender equity services.
• Provide client-centric service and ensure that ORR eligible populations are being served in a linguistically and culturally appropriate manner within the community and provide education and advocacy when necessary.
• Participate in performance-related goal setting and achievement to meet personal, program and organizational objectives and goals.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in a Social Work, behavioral/human services, data management field or two years of experience in related field preferred or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience and commitment working with refugees, immigrants, or diverse and limited English population, highly preferred.
• Proficient in the use of MS Office suite, Word, Outlook, Excel, database and communication tools.
• Excellent verbal, written and listening communication skills.
• Fluency in one of the ORR eligible population languages is highly preferred including Pashto, Dari, Ukrainian, Russian, Spanish, Arabic, Kinyarwanda, Creole.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret data and generate trend reports.
• Strong attention to detail and well organized, with ability to manage tasks in a fast-paced environment and meet deadlines under minimal supervision.
• Excellent problem-solving, decisiveness and good judgment abilities and desire to serve diverse clients.
• Demonstrate ability to adapt to change and correct any challenges or inefficiencies for the best results.
• Must have reliable transportation, clean driving record, and valid insurance and be able to travel locally as required.

Nice-to-haves

• Cross-cultural or international experience preferred.
• Commitment to Global Refuge's core mission and values and an ability to model those values in relationship with colleagues and partners; commitment to empowering refugees and migrants.

Benefits

• Paid parental leave
• Paid holidays
• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Tuition reimbursement
• Paid time off
• Language training provided
• Vision insurance
• 403(b)
• Gym membership