Disaster Shelter Resident Caseworker

Shelter Resident Caseworkers work with shelter residents to understand their resources and transition roadblocks to help households create an individualized action plan so that they can transition from the shelter to a more sustainable living solution. This position supports the mission of the American Red Cross by helping individuals and households more quickly transition from a shelter, thus alleviating human suffering by shortening the time of their disaster-caused displacement and jumpstarting their longer-term recovery.

Steady-State SRT/SA Responsibilities (when not deployed in SRT)

• Maintain an active RC Care account
• Maintain familiarity with RC Care, which may include:
  • Participating in steady-state Recovery Planning Casework or Individual Disaster Care support
  • Deploy locally, including DAT responses and/or REC/CARE on Level 2 & 3 DROs
  • Participate in NHQ Client Care Office Hours
  • Practice RC Care usage in the RC Care Sandbox
  • Mentor other RC Care users
  • Participate in Regional/Chapter Mass Care exercises and workshops
  • Review weekly RC Care Weekly Updates & Release Notes emails
  • Participate in bi-annual SRT Casework RC Care Reports and Dashboards workshops
  • Review SRT in RC Care video in EDGE prior to deploying
• Maintain familiarity with SRT casework, which may include:
  • Participating in steady-state Recovery Planning Casework
  • Participate in Bi-Monthly SRT engagement sessions
  • Practice SRT Services in the RC Care Sandbox
  • Read the monthly SRT Newsletter – Quick Looks
  • Teach SRT Triage Fundamentals and SRT Casework Operations courses
  • Mentor other caseworkers
  • Participate in SRT refresher sessions prior to deploying

Operational-State SRT/SA Responsibilities (when deployed in SRT)

• Cultivates a trust-based relationship with each assigned household
• Meets regularly (commonly every 48 hours) with assigned households to support the creation of an individualized shelter transition plan
• Provides SRT Casework services equitably, including empowerment; transition planning; information; coaching; advocacy; resources & referrals; and, when needed, case conferencing and/or needs-based SRT financial assistance
• Documents individual/household resources, barriers, and progression towards an identified transition plan in RC Care
• As necessary:
  • Uses and updates the Shelter Client Information Application (SCIA), including SRT Triage, Demographics, and more
  • Completes RC Care Intake
  • Ensures Immediate Assistance eligible households receive funds, when disbursed
  • Works in collaboration with other activities at the shelter site, including shelter workers, Disaster Health Services, Disaster Mental Health, Disaster Spiritual Care, and more

General Responsibilities for all Service Associates:

• Ensure work is carried out in alignment with our fundamental principles and within established guidelines
• Maintain flexibility in a continuously changing environment in which work priorities may change frequently
• Participate in all required meetings and review and complete daily tasks and reports
• Collaborate effectively with others in a disaster environment
• Efficiently handle time sensitive issues that may arise in area of responsibility
• Report the status of assigned responsibilities and tasks as directed
• Work independently while following the direction of the direct supervisor

Qualifications:

• Has a passion for and proven track-record of assisting individuals/families overcome recovery roadblocks
• Ability to manage large, complex caseloads
• Can successfully work in a remote environment

General Qualifications for all Service Associates (required):

• Comfortable working independently and within a team
• Ability to work with a broad variety of people with diverse backgrounds
• Ability to have good organizational and time management skills
• Ability to listen actively and work well with others
• Ability to function in a dynamic and stressful environment
• Ability to appropriately involve others in managing problems and conflict
• Ability to acquire, evaluate, and report information accurately
• Valid Driver’s License (required for deployment out of region)
• Willingness to comply with current public health and Red Cross policies
• Refer to the Physical Capacity Grid for physical and emotional requirements