CIRCLE DE LUZ POSITION OPENING

Title: Bilingual Case Manager (Spanish and English)
Reports to: Executive Director
Type: Part-time, non-exempt position requiring 25 hours per week
Compensation: $24 per hour monthly health/phone stipend
Location: Charlotte, North Carolina
Start date: May 15, 2024

Application deadline: April 14, 2024. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

To apply please send your CV/resume and a cover letter to teregonzalez@circledeluz.org

ABOUT CIRCLE DE LUZ

Circle de Luz is a Charlotte-based non-profit established in 2008 that radically empowers Latina girls through holistic programming, extensive mentorship, and scholarship funds. We strive to reduce high-school dropout rates, increase post-secondary enrollment and workforce readiness, and boost the economic mobility of Latinas in Charlotte. We also remove barriers to Latina well-being, success, and resilience through comprehensive social work services.

Our organization offers students a six-year tailored programming and mentoring experience starting in the seventh grade. We deliver 60 culturally sensitive programs every year to four (and up to six) simultaneous classes of middle and high school students. Each Circle de Luz class experiences 2-4 programs per month that inspire personal growth and resilience, prepare them for their futures, and allow them to contribute to their communities. Upon high-school graduation, each student receives a $5,000 scholarship to enable them to take their next educational step.

We serve 32 students, and the journey our members and their 175 family members take with Circle de Luz can have a ripple effect across many layers of our community. One of our goals is to empower our members by removing barriers to their well-being and success. We do this through our case management program by providing referrals—for example, to food banks, low-cost clinics, and pro-bono legal services—along with bilingual advocacy and navigation support across systems including Charlotte Mecklenburg schools, financial institutions, health care, employment, housing, and immigration, among others. We are proud to share that in the last year alone, we completed nearly 120 support requests including referrals and tailored interventions to address gaps in essential needs and services for our students and families.

ROLE SUMMARY

Circle de Luz’s Bilingual Case Manager (CM) is a key member of a team of four people. The team strives to create a kind, supportive, proactive, creative, and impact-driven work environment—and is seeking a key player who values a dynamic pace of work underpinned by these characteristics.

The CM:

• Identifies our students’ and families’ support needs and works to address critical gaps in their well-being and success.
• Upon identification of needs, promptly seeks appropriate resources and creates a plan in coordination with the client(s). This may include making referrals to other agencies, consulting with experts/partners, advocating for the client(s), and facilitating other types of support.
• Guides clients through the process of requesting support and provides appropriate follow-up to ensure goals are met.
• Is strong at collaboration and at nurturing kind and trust-based interpersonal relationships.
• Is a diligent professional who documents, tracks, and timely reports case progression and the impact of our work.
• Fully respects confidentiality and handles sensitive information with discretion.
• Supports team endeavors and new projects with enthusiasm, flexibility, and initiative.

ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES AND AREAS OF WORK

Student and Family Case Management:

• Establish and maintain a trust-based relationship and rapport with students/families to assist them in navigating systems such as public schools, healthcare, mental health, and other.
• Conduct case management assessments and home visits to determine the financial, housing, educational, medical, emotional, and physical needs of our students and their families.
• Work with students and families to develop a case management plan tailored to their specific needs. Follow up with families to determine barriers to seeking services and serve as an advocate on their behalf when needed.
• Link students and families to community resources, complete referral applications, and coordinate, advocate for, or assist the client in obtaining such services.
• Occasionally provide ad-hoc support to Circle de Luz’s recent graduates in their transition to adulthood and/or post-secondary education. Support alumni-related initiatives.
• Manage a case load of about 8-10 active cases per month.
• Maintain database of community resources and educate staff.

Programming Support:

• Work closely with our Program Manager to address our clients' needs and coordinate approaches and tailored follow-up.
• Attend our Hijas Unidas (study groups) sessions every other week to regularly support and check-in with our members.
• Support development and execution of other workshops and programs for students/families.

Documentation, Data, and Impact Tracking:

• Maintain our client database with up-to-date personal/family information and case notes.
• Submit timely and accurate case management documentation of all services and client-related activities.
• Collect, track, and evaluate data on cases and services provided. Provide staff and board members with regular up-to-date case management information needed for grant applications, presentations, etc.
• Maintain updated community resources and partner database.
• Support the maintenance of our evolving alumni tracker.

Partnerships:

• Establish and maintain a close working relationship with other agencies in the city, partners, and community professionals.
• Serve as liaison to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools to track students’ academic progress and to support any identified educational needs.
• Educate the community on the needs of the Latine community through partnerships with other agencies and community members.

Organizational Strategy, Operations, and Culture:

• As a member of the Leadership Team, contribute to organization-wide planning and regular strategic conversations and solutions on cross-functional issues.
• Support the Program and Communications Manager and the Executive Director in the execution of programs or other initiatives.
• Provide input on grant applications and on strategic messaging related to case management.
• Supervise 1-2 collegiate interns.
• Embrace and advance the organization’s culture of intentional and compassionate leadership, empowerment, vision and innovation, strategic thinking, experience and data-driven outcomes.
• Develop positive relationships with students, their families, donors, other volunteers, board members, community members and funders.

NOTE: This job description does not restrict other tasks that may be assigned.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree, preferably in Social Work.
• At least two years of case management experience.
• Demonstrated track record of achieving goals and leading others.
• Language skills – Professional fluency in Spanish and English.
• Fluency with computer systems, Microsoft Office applications, and case management documentation databases.

Other Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to work on a hybrid model combining on-site and virtual work.
• Flexibility to perform some weekend and evening work is required.
• High degree of motivation with a proven ability to work independently, meet deadlines, manage multiple priorities, and move work forward on numerous fronts simultaneously while eliciting the confidence of others.
• High degree of detail-orientation and precision.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English and Spanish including talent in relationship-building, public presentations, and writing.
• Strong capacity to develop comprehensive and organization building strategies for growth.
• Deep emotional intelligence with an ability to build trust and relate to our members, donors, funders, and leadership to achieve goals.
• Ability to thrive in a creative, fast-moving, mission-driven culture.
• Strong initiative and problem-solving skills.
• Enthusiasm and genuine commitment to the mission of Circle de Luz.

COMPENSATION AND OTHER CONTRIBUTIONS

This position is based in Charlotte, NC, and is a part-time, non-exempt position requiring 25 hours of work a week. Compensation is $24 an hour for a maximum of 25 hours a week for 50 weeks each year.

We offer a $200 monthly stipend on top of hourly compensation as a contribution towards cellphone costs, health insurance, or other items typically covered in a benefits package. We offer mileage reimbursement for miles traveled to offsite visits to clients (home visits, referral agency meetings, and other) upon monthly report submission.

We believe in setting clear expectations from the outset, and part of that transparency involves stating that the compensation elements posted for this position are non-negotiable. This intentional approach reflects our commitment to fairness and consistency in our hiring process, ensuring that all candidates are treated with respect and clarity.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND NON-DISCRIMINATION

Circle de Luz is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive work environment. We believe that diversity of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences enriches our work environment and enhances our ability to serve our community effectively.

We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion/faith, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or immigration status. We are dedicated to creating a work environment free from harassment and discrimination, where all employees are treated with respect and dignity.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $24.00 per hour

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Charlotte, NC 28208