Family and Client Support Specialist

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future. This position is represented by the OPEIU union and subject to the terms and conditions of a collective bargaining agreement. Position Summary The Family and Client Support Specialist partners with individuals and families throughout their resettlement journey to promote successful integration, stability, wellness, and long-term self-sufficiency. The role supports refugees, asylees, immigrants, newcomers, and other eligible populations in navigating their communities, accessing essential resources, pursuing self-defined goals, and building a foundation for a successful future. Using a person-centered and family-centered approach, the Specialist prioritizes each client’s strengths, needs, preferences, cultural context, goals, and aspirations. The Specialist coordinates support that addresses immediate needs while contributing to long-term well-being, belonging, integration, and self-sufficiency. The Family and Client Support Specialist delivers support using trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and strengths-based practices that promote safety, trust, dignity, respect, empowerment, collaboration, and client choice. The Specialist works alongside clients and families to identify barriers, build on strengths, access community resources, develop meaningful connections, and make measurable progress toward their goals. All Turlock site staff are expected to provide support using trauma-informed, person-centered, family-centered, culturally responsive, and strength-based practices. Staff are expected to meet clients where they are, support self-determination, and collaborate with IRC teams and community partners to promote stability, wellness, integration, and long-term self-sufficiency. Job Overview The Family and Client Support Specialist delivers a continuum of support that begins with client arrival and initial resettlement and continues through stabilization, wellness, community integration, and long-term self-sufficiency. Services may include airport reception, housing stabilization, home setup, orientation, resource navigation, advocacy, coordinated support, and connection to community resources. Through person-centered, family-centered, trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and strengths-based practices, the Specialist partners with clients and families to build on strengths, address barriers, achieve self-defined goals, and promote long-term wellbeing, belonging, and stability. The Specialist identifies and leverages community resources, builds collaborative partnerships, and works across internal IRC programs to address barriers and support client and family goals. This position may support clients participating in Preferred Communities Intensive Case Management, Supplemental Case Management, Initial Resettlement, or other resettlement and integration programs. Program requirements may vary based on funding source, eligibility, service duration, documentation standards, and required client contact frequency. Major responsibilities :

• Support newly arrived clients and families with arrival services, including airport reception, warm meal, transportation, home setup, orientation, and connection to essential resources that promote safety, stability, and successful resettlement.
• Conduct client intakes, assessments, and ongoing follow-up to identify strengths, needs, barriers, risks, goals, and priorities; develop and monitor individualized support plans and progress toward self-defined goals and outcomes.
• Partner with clients and families to establish self-sufficiency goals and SMART goals that reflect their strengths, preferences, cultural context, and aspirations.
• Provide holistic, wraparound support through advocacy, coaching, resource navigation, referrals, follow-up, and coordination with providers and partner organizations.
• Assist clients and families in accessing healthcare, behavioral health services, public benefits, housing, education, employment, transportation, interpretation, legal resources, family support, and other community services.
• Deliver support using trauma-informed, person-centered, family-centered, culturally responsive, and strengths-based practices that promote safety, trust, dignity, respect, empowerment, collaboration, and client choice.
• Meet clients and families where they are by providing support in homes, community settings, schools, healthcare facilities, partner locations, and IRC offices, and by offering services at locations and times that are accessible and responsive to client and family needs, preferences, and circumstances.
• Maintain regular engagement with assigned clients and families, including conducting in-person meetings at least monthly, or more frequently as required by program guidelines, client needs, or supervisory direction.
• Support clients with applications, appointments, follow-up activities, provider communication, advocacy, and problem-solving to reduce barriers and advance client goals.
• Monitor progress toward client goals and adjust support plans when strengths, needs, priorities, barriers, or circumstances change.
• Collaborate with internal IRC programs and external partners to provide coordinated, family-centered support that responds to client strengths, goals, needs, and preferences.
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with community organizations, healthcare providers, schools, government agencies, employers, landlords, faith-based organizations, donors, and other stakeholders to expand opportunities and resources for clients and families.
• Coordinate with community partners and internal resources, and provide direct assistance when needed, to secure furniture, household goods, and other essential items for newly arrived or other eligible clients and families.
• Assist with furnishing and setting up homes to promote safe, welcoming, and stable living environments.
• Maintain timely, accurate, and complete documentation, including case notes, referrals, reports, service activities, outcomes, and data entry in ETO or other required systems, in accordance with program, grant, confidentiality, and organizational requirements.
• Respond to urgent client needs and crisis situations using sound judgment and supervisory support when needed.
• Identify service gaps and collaborate with colleagues and partners to develop creative solutions that strengthen the client experience, service quality, and program outcomes.
• Participate in team meetings, client and family consultations, training, program planning, and professional development activities.
• Contribute to continuous improvement efforts and a learning culture focused on service quality, client experience, and program effectiveness.
• Work independently to manage assigned clients and families, documentation, follow-up activities, and service priorities while collaborating effectively as part of a team.
• Train, guide, or support volunteers, interns, and other program support staff as assigned.
• Transport clients, families, household goods, and program materials as needed using personal or agency vehicles.
• Safely operate passenger vans and small box trucks as required by program needs and in accordance with IRC requirements.
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