​About Us:

CASA of Marion County recruits, trains, and supervises volunteers from the community to advocate for children in foster care. Our Court Appointed Special Advocates are all sworn into the Marion County Juvenile Court and are then assigned and serve as an advocate for kids in care. CASA Volunteers are a caring and consistent adult presence for abused and neglected children. For many abused and neglected children facing multiple challenges, a CASA volunteer may be the one constant adult presence in their lives. Advocates stay with each case until it is closed and the child is placed in a safe, permanent home.

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STATUS: Full Time (40 hours)/Overtime Exempt
 

SALARY: $53,000 to $68,000 annual salary
 

REPORTS TO: Executive Director

 

POSITION SUMMARY: Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Marion County seeks a certified Spanish-Bilingual Community Health Worker (CHW) to join their team of compassionate, nonprofit professionals dedicated to fearless advocacy on behalf of abused and neglected children in foster care. This position will work directly with children, families, legal professionals, and service and education providers. This new position for CASA will allow the successful candidate to co-design the new community-based service program, aiming to support children in foster care in achieving stability, health, safety, permanency, and ability to thrive.

 

Oregon Community Health Workers (CHW) are classified as Traditional Health Workers, identified as a trusted community member, often sharing similar life experiences or characteristics with the people they serve. The CHW serves as a frontline public health worker and a trusted member of and/or has an unusually close understanding of the community served. This trusting relationship enables the CHW to serve as a liaison between the community they are deeply connected to, and health and human service systems. CHWs work to bridge the gap between healthcare and human services systems and their community by connecting individuals to necessary services, advocating for their needs, and helping navigate the complexities of systems and resources, all while being culturally sensitive and focused on improving health outcomes through personalized support. The CHW will provide professional staff support and personalized resource navigation for foster children, resource parents, CASA, and members of the community needing bilingual support to access needed support and services. The CHW will also build individual and mission-driven capacity by increasing health knowledge and self-sufficiency through a range of activities such as outreach, community education, informal counseling, social support, and advocacy. 

 

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

• Outreach and engagement: Conducting community outreach to build relationships with community organizations, and participating in community events to raise awareness about child abuse and neglect, foster care, and health issues; engage Spanish-speaking populations to increase accessibility and participation for culturally-diverse volunteers; build relationships with the Latino community to address disparities in the foster care system; and promote healing among traumatized and abused youth and advance community appropriateness and feelings of safety and inclusiveness.

• Health education: Provide culturally sensitive health education on topics such as the effects of trauma, education, abuse and neglect, mental health, preventive care, food security, housing, high quality childcare, and other social determinants of health, tailored to the specific needs of the community and individuals they serve. 

• Care coordination: Assist in navigating healthcare, social services, human services, and justice systems by making referrals, scheduling appointments, providing follow-ups, coordinating care between different providers, facilitating transportation services, helping to address other barriers to services; document and track individual and population-level data, etc.

• Case management: Review case documentation; maintain paper and electronic case file records for assigned and unassigned cases;

• Resource linkage: Identify and connect individuals to relevant social services like food banks, housing assistance, transportation, and substance abuse treatment programs.

• Advocacy: Support individual foster children and resource parents in advocating for their healthcare needs and navigating challenges related to insurance, access to care, and overcoming system barriers.

• Tracking system: Develop tracking and risk stratification systems utilizing Optima software for case load, case notes, contact logs, referrals, follow-up reminders, and communication to/from Advocate Coordinators.

• Data collection and reporting: Review case files and track interactions, referrals, treatment recommendations, timeliness, progress, and reporting data to relevant stakeholders to inform program evaluation; participate in data analyses and health assessments to understand resources, individual needs, and barriers to access; and participate in local and statewide data workgroups with other CASA chapters and/or local stakeholder groups.

• Translation and interpretation: Provide language interpretation services for individuals with limited English proficiency when necessary. Provide Spanish-language interpretation/translation services as needed across CASA operations, such as social media and public communications, continuing education courses, and materials.

• Collaboration: Collaborate with Advocate Coordinators to develop/modify case plans and ongoing strategies for advocacy; attending court, CRB hearings, and/or DHS meetings as needed; 

• Support: Support Executive Director and other CASA staff in attending and preparing for meetings, events, fairs, and other forms of engagement; participate in a variety of general tasks necessary to the successful operation of CASA and its programs, including office coverage as assigned by the Executive Director, outreach, data maintenance, office tasks, scheduling, reminder calls, and support with special events and functions; attend staff meetings and assist in the evaluation of programs; and assist with volunteer appreciation and public awareness events.

 

REQUIRED SKILLS AND TRAINING

• Community knowledge: Deep understanding of the community served, including local resources, social determinants of health, disparities, cultural nuances, healthy lifestyles and wellness, basic public health principles, United States health and social service systems, and mental/behavioral health issues and their connection to physical health.

• Cultural competency: Respect and understand different cultures and adapt approaches to meet diverse needs. 

• Justice system knowledge: Obtain and maintain general understanding of current information and conditions relative to child abuse and neglect and the juvenile legal system

• Strong communication skills: Ability to effectively communicate in English and Spanish and with diverse populations, including individuals from different cultural backgrounds, socioeconomic levels, and health literacy levels; work with individuals who may have diverging opinions and viewpoints.

• Interpersonal skills: Ability to build rapport and trust with individuals and families, service providers, and decision makers through trauma-informed, active listening and empathy; maintain a professional attitude and respect for supervisors, co-workers, service providers, and advocates.

• Problem-solving skills: Identify barriers to care and creatively finding solutions to address complex situations; ability to consider the role of cultural, social, and behavioral factors in the accessibility, availability, acceptability, and delivery of services.

• Basic office skills: Ability to perform basic office duties, such as reading and writing, typing, answering phones, scheduling meetings, data tracking and analysis, basic event planning, assisting with program evaluation and identification of needs, etc.; provide timely, effective, and efficient customer service to the community, clients, and other employees; ability to exercise time management skills, balance multiple priorities, and meet timelines.

• OHA Traditional Health Worker Certification: Maintain required training and certification through the Oregon Health Authority to become a certified THW.

• CASA training: Complete the New CASA Volunteer Training, a 30-hour volunteer-advocate training provided by CASA, as soon as possible upon hire.

• Continuing Education: Participate in professional development opportunities through attendance at conferences, seminars to achieve 12 hours annually of continuing education.

• Health trainings: must successfully complete CPR, first aid, and suicide prevention training.

• Privacy: Must protect the privacy and security of protected health information and legal documents as defined in State and Federal law; ability to maintain confidential information concerning the agency, clients, program organizational plans, policies and strategies.

• ORDL: Possession of a driver's license valid in the State of Oregon and an acceptable driving record.

• Background check: Completion of a criminal history check in accordance with Oregon Administrative Rules and National CASA/GAL requirements.

• Supervision: Supervision is not normally a responsibility of this position; however, the CHW may provide technical guidance and coordinate with other staff.
   

 

QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate should be knowledgeable and passionate about the issues of child abuse and neglect as well as committed to an organized and efficient office. The candidate must have excellent verbal and written communication abilities, in both English and Spanish. Proficient use of computers, Microsoft Office, and office equipment. Must possess the ability and desire to work with diverse groups, including but not limited to culturally-diverse individuals, people struggling with poverty, drug addiction, abuse and neglect. Must be able to handle emotionally challenging case content, subject matter and be extremely organized and detail oriented. Must have a personal car, current Oregon driver’s license, and auto liability insurance. Applicants must be certified through OHA’s THW Program. Experience and understanding of Medicaid billing preferred.

Minimum Education and Experience: CASA of Marion County recognizes and realizes diverse backgrounds, knowledge, education, and expertise that might make an individual a qualified candidate for this position varies, especially provided the nature of the position and ability of a CHW to connect deeply with the community they serve. A potential candidate needs to demonstrate their education and experience which correlates to the job duties listed above, demonstrating their abilities, knowledge, and skills necessary to be qualified to conduct the responsibilities and duties of CASA’s CHW. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT

CASA of Marion County offers a positive and supportive work environment, a safe workplace that prioritizes individual attainment with a culture of teamwork and communication. CASA offers a  workplace that promotes the organizational values of workplace diversity, equity and inclusion and actively promotes an environment respectful of living and working in a multicultural society.

• There is frequent need for exercising a high degree of independence, in a highly confidential environment. 

• This is a grant-funded position with opportunities for professional growth.

• Some flexibility in weekly schedules will be required and may include evening and weekend hours to accommodate training and community events.

• Remote work option for up to 40% (16 hours per week) subject to supervisor approval and office needs. 

• Benefits include health and dental insurance, generous PTO plan, 401(k) retirement plan, Employee Assistance Program, and Holiday schedule.

• Position open until filled. 

• CASA of Marion County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages all interested persons of diverse backgrounds and lived experience to apply. We welcome applicants with disabilities. If you need accommodation in the recruitment process, please contact Carla Glavine (carla@casamarionor.org) to request accommodation.

 

TO APPLY:

Please send cover letter, resume, and three  professional references to execdirector@casamarionor.org. References will only be contacted for applicants who complete an interview and make it to the final selection round.

 

BENEFITS: This is a non-represented position and is not covered by a collective bargaining agreement. 

• 401(k) retirement plan

• Health and dental care insurance

• Hybrid workplace (up to 40%/16 hours per week, subject to ED approval and office needs)

• Employee Assistance Program

• Comprehensive benefits package with medical and dental healthcare insurance, 401(k) retirement plan, and generous paid time off and holiday schedule to support a healthy work-life balance

 

Schedule:

• 8 hour shifts, flexible to meet needs and events

• Office hours are 8:30 am to 5:00 pm Monday to Friday

 

Find out more about CASA of Marion County at www.casamarionor.org

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