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
- Immigration Specialist
- Community Navigator - Mankato
- Employment Case Manager
- Refugee Cash Assistance Eligibility Coordinator
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.
TITLE: Community Navigator - Refugee Program Specialist
EMPLOYMENT STATUS: Full-time, Regular, Non-exempt
REPORTS TO: Manager, Mankato Area Refugee Services
PURPOSE OF POSITION:
To provide services to refugees and New Americans which promote family stabilization, self-sufficiency and goal attainment in compliance with MCCRS programs and contracts. This position will connect program participants with resources and services both within MCC and in the community, provide language interpretation and cultural support, provide academic mentoring support to families, and provide cultural and community orientation to new arrivals to the community. The position works in coordination with other staff and volunteers to help participants meet their basic needs, connect to services and become self-sufficient.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Conduct intake assessments to determine client eligibility for programs.
- Encourage early self-sufficiency and independence of all program participants
- Develop plans with program participants empowering them to reach agreed upon goals and meet program guidelines. This includes providing direct services, making referrals, and helping participants complete forms and applications.
- Meet outcome goals defined in contract(s), including:
- Family Coaching: mentoring students and families on students’ school adjustment, behavior and educational progress toward academic success
- Community navigation and case management: connecting families to community resources and helping clients overcome barriers
- Immigration application support: application support to MCC immigration service providers
- Employment placement: assisting in placing clients in employment
- Education: educate families about community and health issues
- Recruitment, enrollment and assessment of New Americans to participate in training and career placement in Long Term Care positions.
- Document all contacts and services in case files, as appropriate
- Maintain outcomes reporting in agency and state databases
- Participate in Tapestry and community engagement programs with partners
- Work closely with county staff, local landlords, adult basic education and other non-profits to refer and support new American clients
- Promote MCC Refugee Services Programs to potential clients and recruit clients to meet enrollment goals
- Provide translation and interpreting support for other Refugee Services projects, as needed
- Maintain positive relationships with community partners
- Submit regular reports to track client outcomes, fulfill reporting requirements, and capture client success stories
- Oversee volunteer activities, as appropriate
- Assist in emergencies as they arise
- Other duties as assigned
GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS:
- Fluency in Spanish, Somali, Anuak or Nuer preferred.
- Experience working with refugees or recent immigrants
- Demonstrated ability to understand and work across cultures
- 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 understanding of American culture and ability to interpret cultural differences.
- Demonstrated strong communication, negotiation, and mediation skills.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently and as a member of a team.
- Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively across organizational boundaries.
- Proven capacity to work in fast paced social service environment
- Proven ability to work in crisis situations
- Experience with Microsoft Office and Microsoft Outlook preferred. Ability to use basic office equipment including copiers, postage machines, and fax machines
- Demonstrated detail orientation
- Driver’s license and access to reliable transportation required
WORK ENVIRONMENT AND CONDITIONS:Normal office conditions. This position works out of MCC’s Mankato office at 501 South 2nd Street. Job duties are performed primarily during the weekday business hours, with occasional weekend or evening hours.
COMPENSATION: This is a full-time, non-exempt position. Benefits include medical insurance, dental, life, sick leave, vacation, and holiday benefits as provided by MCC. Starting pay range: $21.50-$23.00/hour. Candidates should submit a resume and letter of interest to employment@mnchurches.org.
POSITION TITLE: Refugee Program Specialist: Employment Case Manager
EMPLOYMENT STATUS: 2 Positions Open: 1 Full-Time, Non-Exempt and 1 Temporary Full-Time
REPORTS TO: Manager of Employment Services
PURPOSE OF POSITION:
This exciting position plays an important role in welcoming and serving the needs of individuals arriving to Minnesota with refugee, SIV and humanitarian parolee status. This position works within employment services to assist program participants to seek, secure, and maintain employment leading to self-sufficiency as early as possible, following guidelines of Minnesota Council of Churches Refugee Services programs and contracts. The position also works to connect participants with needed resources throughout the community.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Encourage self-sufficiency and independence of newly arriving individuals and families with refugee status
- Provide orientation to potential participants about employment programs
- Conduct intake and assessments to determine client eligibility for programs
- Develop service plans with program participants, empowering them to reach agreed-upon goals and meet program guidelines.
- Assist clients to overcome barriers to employment applications, job search, and self-sufficiency
- Network with and develop relationships with employers
- Identify and match clients with appropriate job opportunities
- Provide ongoing case management and resource connections for 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 client outcomes, fulfill reporting requirements, and capture client success stories.
- Document services in case logs and maintain up-to-date case files
- Occasionally welcome arriving families at the airport
- Oversee volunteer activities within program and with clients
- Assist in emergencies as they arise
- Other duties as assigned
GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS:
- Experience working with refugees or recent immigrants
- Case management experience focusing on attainment of outcomes in areas of housing, employment, education, family functioning, or immigration preferred.
- Knowledge of local refugee and immigrant populations, the resources available to them, and the state and federal policies that impact them.
- Demonstrated understanding of American culture and ability to interpret cultural differences.
- Commitment to early self-sufficiency of refugees, asylees and immigrants
- Strong motivational and teaching skills.
- Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively across organizational boundaries.
- 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.
- Proven ability to work in crisis situations.
- 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, Swahili, Ukrainian or other relevant languages preferred.
- Related work experience or post-secondary degree preferred
- Experience with Microsoft Word, Microsoft Outlook preferred. Proven ability to use basic office equipment including copiers, postage machines, and fax machines
- 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 evening and weekend hours. This position works out of the MCC’s office at 122 West Franklin Avenue in Minneapolis, with regular visits to employers, service providers, and participants’ homes.
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
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.
