Employment
Thank you for your interest in working for the Minnesota Council of Churches.
We are pleased to offer a competitive benefits package, including:
- Gold Medical insurance plan
- Dental insurance
- Life insurance
- Long-term disability
- Vacation and holiday pay
- Employer contributing retirement plan
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Free parking
As an Equal Opportunity employer, we hire without consideration to race, creed, color, national origin, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, or disability.
CURRENT JOB OPENINGS
TITLE: Refugee Specialist: Immigration Legal Services
EMPLOYMENT STATUS: Regular, 1 Full-Time Employee, Non-Exempt
REPORTS TO: Manager of Immigration Legal Services
NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND:
Minnesota Council of Churches Non-profit Organization (MCC) Refugee Services welcomes refugees, asylees, humanitarian parolees and other new Americans into new lives of freedom, hope and opportunity in Minnesota. Based in Minneapolis and Mankato, MCC Refugee Services has resettled those with refugee status in Minnesota since 1984. Through services providing resettlement, case management, employment, education and immigration legal services, MCC’s multi-cultural, multi-lingual and inclusive staff works to ensure our newest neighbors are “abundantly supported as they move from addressing basic needs to achieving their dreams.”
Minnesota Council of Churches Non-Profit Organization (MCC) is a statewide council with 27 member denominations from Historical Black, Native American, Mainline Protestant, Pentecostal, and Orthodox communions. The Council’s program areas include refugee resettlement and services, strengthening interfaith relationships, and racial justice. The broader mission of MCC is to build unity through justice for the common good. The staff at MCC reflects the broad diversity of Minnesota.
PURPOSE OF IMMIGRATION SPECIALIST POSITION:
To deliver immigration legal services for refugees and others with a humanitarian protection status, perform outreach to communities to advise on opportunities to file for adjustment and family reunification, and perform administrative tasks related to filing, tracking and reporting on immigration legal applications. This position will receive training to attain Department of Justice partial accreditation to perform immigration legal services and represent clients before the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
This position operates within the broader Refugee Services team, and will support work in resettlement, education, health and employment programming when appropriate or needed. Position reports to the Manager of Immigration Services.
IMMIGRATION SPECIALIST RESPONSIBILITIES
Immigration Legal Services Responsibilities
- Provide one-on-one assistance to clients to complete USCIS and refugee sponsorship applications
- Correspond with clients regarding application requirements, and schedule appointments
- Complete service contracts with clients and maintain complete and accurate records and progress until processing for each application complete.
- Conduct client intake procedures.
- Respond to client questions and inquiries
- Advocate on behalf of clients, as appropriate
- Maintain USCIS notices and enter client information into MCC and state databases.
- Provide consultation to Refugee Services’ staff on immigration related matters.
- Collect and track income from fee for service activities
- Maintain and participate in development of systems and procedures to increase capacity to provide increased immigration related services.
- Develop and maintain relationships with community partners through recruitment activities, and expansion of off-site delivery of immigration services.
- Maintain relationships with organizational partners, for consultation, cross-referrals, and program accountability.
- Represent Minnesota Council of Churches Refugee Services’ program at community meetings, workshops, and trainings related to immigration law and legal practice.
- Keep current with changes and trends in immigration law and practice and modify services appropriately
- Attain and maintain status as a DOJ partially accredited representative.
- Support immigration legal services provided in both MCC’s Minneapolis and Mankato programs.
General Refugee Specialist Responsibilities
- Conduct intake and assessments to determine client eligibility for programs.
- Work closely with MCC colleagues to ensure that refugees are integrated into the broader array of services available in the organization
- Meet outcome goals defined in contract (s) related to four lines of service.
- Document all contacts and services in case files, as appropriate
- Oversee volunteer and intern activities, as appropriate.
- Assist in emergencies as they arise
- Other duties as assigned
IMMIGRATION SPECIALIST GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS:
- Experience working with refugees or recent immigrants
- Commitment to early self-sufficiency of refugees
- Demonstrated Ability to maintain detailed records and submit accurate reports in a timely manner.
- Strong English language communication skills, both oral and written.
- Demonstrated strong communication, negotiation, and mediation skills.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently and as a member of a team.
- Proven ability to use basic office equipment including copiers, postage machines, fax machines, and database software.
- Proficiency in computer applications, including Outlook, MS Teams, databases, spreadsheets, and MS Word.
- Demonstrated detail orientation
- Bachelor’s degree preferred
- Bilingual language proficiency preferred
- Driver’s license and access to vehicle
- Ability to travel to locations throughout the metro, and to Mankato (up to 1-2 times per month)
WORK ENVIRONMENT AND CONDITIONS:
Normal office conditions. This position works out of MCC’s office at 122 West Franklin Avenue in Minneapolis. Job duties are performed during the weekday business hours.
Compensation: Hourly wage is $25/hour. This is a non-exempt, 40-hour/week position. Benefits include medical insurance, dental, life, retirement, sick leave, vacation, and holiday benefits as provided by MCC human resources policy.
POSITION TITLE: Refugee Program Specialist: RCA Eligibility Coordinator
EMPLOYMENT STATUS: Regular, Full-time, Temporary
REPORTS TO: Manager of Employment Services
PURPOSE OF POSITION:
The Refugee Cash Assistance Eligibility Coordinator determines the eligibility for Refugee Cash Assistance for individuals with a humanitarian protection immigration status, including refugees, asylees, humanitarian parolees, Cuban/Haitian entrants, and victims of trafficking, living in the 7 county metro area. Working with colleagues in the program and agency, the position provides works to ensure participants are connected to and receive the services and resources for which they are eligible so they may become self-sufficient. The Eligibility Coordinator uses MAXIS, the State of Minnesota’s public assistance database, to enter and track participant income and eligibility data.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Document income, services and activities in MAXIS, in case logs and in up-to-date case files
- Participate in employment orientations with participants, to provide information about RCA program
- Conduct intake and assessments to determine participants’ eligibility for RCA and other public assistance programs
- Review program guidelines with program participants, empowering them to reach agreed-upon goals and meet program guidelines.
- Explain application procedures and assist participants to complete forms
- Verify information received from participants
- Refer participants to employment programs, basic needs resources, and ongoing community supports
- Teach participants how to access their benefits
- Maintain regular contact with participants, to tracking income and ensure connection to employment and other programs
- Communicate participants’ household income changes with county financial workers
- Distribute checks and transportation supports to participants
- Communicate sanctions to participants who are not in compliance with RCA policies
- Participate in cultural and community orientations with program participants
- Work closely with MCC colleagues to ensure that refugees are integrated into the broader array of services available in the organization
- Provide translation and interpretation support for other Refugee Services projects, as needed.
- Maintain positive relationships with community partners relevant to program activities.
- Submit regular reports to track participant outcomes, fulfill reporting requirements, and capture participant success stories.
- Oversee volunteer activities within program and with clients
- Occasionally welcome arriving families at the airport
- Assist in emergencies as they arise
GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS:
- Knowledge of RCA programs, policies, and procedures and experience with the MAXIS data information system strongly preferred
- Proven ability to use and learn complex computer applications, with strong competence in using Microsoft Office programs and web-based apps.
- Demonstrated ability to maintain accurate records, interpret complex written rules, and follow guidelines as shared by state bulletins.
- Experience working with refugees or recent immigrants
- Demonstrated understanding of American culture and ability to interpret cultural differences.
- Commitment to early self-sufficiency of refugees, asylees and immigrants
- Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively across organizational boundaries.
- Strong English language communication skills, both oral and written.
- Proven capacity to work in fast paced social service environment.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently and as a member of a team.
- Bilingual proficiency in Arabic, Dari, Karen, Oromo, Pashto, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Swahili, Ukrainian or other relevant languages preferred.
- Related work experience or post-secondary degree preferred
- Driver’s license and access to reliable transportation required.
- Availability to work occasional weekend or evening hours
WORK ENVIRONMENT AND CONDITIONS: Normal office conditions and regular office hours, Monday-Friday, with occasional weekend and evening hours. This position works out of the MCC’s office at 122 West Franklin Avenue in Minneapolis.
COMPENSATION: Starting pay range: $23-25/hour. This is a non-exempt, 40-hour/week position. Benefits include medical insurance, dental, life, retirement, sick leave, vacation, and holiday benefits. Candidates should submit a resume and letter of interest to employment@mnchurches.org
HOW TO APPLY
To be considered for a current job opportunity, submit your resume and completed application to employment@mnchurches.org.
