Bilingual Intake Specialist - St. PJ's Children's Home

Mission: The Mission of St. PJ's Children's Home is to be a safe and loving refuge for children in crisis and to accompany them on their journey to healing and wholeness, breaking the cycle of abuse and neglect one child at a time.

About the Role

Under the general direction of the Lead Case Manager, the Intake Specialist is responsible for coordinating and implementing intake services for Unaccompanied Alien Children (UAC) in accordance with agency policy, TDFPS Minimum Standards, and ORR Policy. The Intake Specialist must be on-call based upon programmatic needs to ensure the intake process is completed for each UAC placed at St. PJ’s. The role promotes best practices and facilitates the optimum delivery of quality trauma-informed care and case management services to UAC.

Responsibilities

• Manage the UAC Portal Capacity to ensure accurate counts of UAC in care, UAC pending placement, and closed beds.
• Respond to incoming placement confirmation emails and/or calls in a timely manner.
• Work collaboratively with ORR intakes to ensure the UAC referral process is conducted.
• Communicate information about incoming UAC to program staff, including arrival dates/times.
• Conduct intake interviews and orientation, assessing client needs and strengths.
• Complete intake and orientation interviews and processes within required timeframes.
• Assist with case manager assignment to ensure all UAC are effectively assigned within the allotted time frame.
• Complete documentation in the UAC case file and enter required information in the UAC portal within required timeframes.
• Adapt to changing program needs, including working evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.
• Actively participate in enhancing and/or improving the living and working environment for residents and employees.
• Attend administrative staff meetings, staff retreats, and other team-building activities as scheduled.
• Demonstrate proficiency in knowledge of agency policy, TDFPS Minimum Standards, and ORR Policy.
• Demonstrate knowledge and sensitivity of cultural norms, values, and heritage.
• Assume on-call duties after regular business hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Adhere to safety training and protocols daily, taking precautionary measures to ensure safety and well-being.
• Protect the confidentiality of client information, services rendered, donor details, investigations, and financial information.
• Adhere to the Code of Conduct and the Faith and Moral Policy.
• Take a solution-oriented approach in interactions and promote collaboration and commitment to the organization’s Mission and Vision.
• Complete a mandatory 10-day New Employee Orientation; failure to meet this requirement will conclude employment.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in behavioral science, human services, social services, or a related field.
• Child welfare and/or case management experience is strongly recommended.
• Reliable transportation, valid driver’s license, and valid vehicle insurance.
• Proof of immunity to vaccine-preventable diseases transmitted by the respiratory route if working directly with unaccompanied children:
  • Varicella: two doses of varicella vaccine (at least 4 weeks apart) OR born in the U.S. before 1980 with a reported history of chickenpox (verified by an adult present at the time of illness) OR titers indicating varicella immunity OR documentation from a healthcare provider verifying previous infection.
  • MMR: two doses of MMR vaccine (at least 4 weeks apart) OR titers indicating immunity to all three diseases.
  • DTaP or TDaP: Complete primary vaccination series. If primary series completed in childhood, one TDaP dose in adulthood.
  • Influenza: one dose annually during flu season.
• Computer literate with working knowledge of Microsoft Windows (Word, Excel) and web-based database systems.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and detail-oriented skills.
• Ability to read and interpret policy, procedures, and standards.
• Self-motivated, able to work independently and on a team.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Good critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to remain calm and composed in crisis situations.
• Bilingual: Fluent in English and Spanish (reading, writing, speaking, and comprehension).

Skills

• Adaptability: Ability to adjust to changing conditions and remain committed to excellence.
• Advocacy: Ability to support and engage in behavior that addresses systemic barriers and issues facing others, even in a fast-paced environment.
• Teamwork: Ability to listen and respond constructively with others, fostering collaboration and team success.
• Communication: Ability to effectively share information and ideas of varying degrees of difficulty and sensitivity through different means and to diverse audiences (verbal and/or written).
• Thoroughness: Ability to provide great care and attention to detail while meeting deadlines.

Physical Requirements

The position requires the following physical demands:

• Frequently: Lifting up to 10 pounds, sitting, walking, standing, driving, stooping, bending waist, pushing, pulling, reaching above/below shoulder height, repetitive motions, talking, hearing.
• Occasionally: Running, climbing, squatting, balancing, crawling.

Pay

$23.33 hourly.

This is a grant-funded position, and salary is dependent on funding availability. The position may be eliminated at any time due to lack of funding.