Careers at UCA

JOB TITLE: Male Involvement Network Porgram Manager
JOB TYPE: Salary, Full Time

SUMMARY: The program manager must be reliable, dependable and have considerable knowledge of the principles, techniques, and methods of social work, a working knowledge of family dynamics, issues and services, as well as knowledge of the economic, emotional, psychological and social factors influencing the behavior of urban families and knowledge of, and sensitivity to, varying urban cultures. Also, some knowledge of fatherhood programming and workforce development strategies.

Written and oral communication skills, ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to absorb considerable information and grasp new concepts quickly; time management skills, good interpersonal skills, and the ability to function independently and interact well with a wide variety of community members and circumstances.

Key responsibilities:

• Plans, organizes and directs the work of the Male Involvement Network and assists in monitoring the contracted services accomplishing the goals and objectives set forth by the agency and any operation agreements entered into by the Executive Director of the Urban Community Alliance. 
• Analyzes and evaluates scope of services, prepare reports, and recommendations to enhance program effectiveness.
• Responsible for day to day management of the Male Involvement Network.
• Assists in the development of office and administrative procedures concerning the program.
• Interviews, hires, directs and discharges in conjunction with the Executive Director, Associate Director and Case Management services all staff members in the Male Involvement Network in accordance with the employment policies and procedures of the Urban Community Alliance.
• Supports the supervision and operation of  case management..
• Establishes and maintains a harmonious and highly professional working relationship with staff
• Establishes and maintains relationships with community providers, donors and stakeholders.
• Generates reports and recommendations that are logical, reasonable and consistent with management goals and objectives of the organization.
• Responsible for directing and implementing a wide range of service through the Male Involvement Network to support the service needs of the fatherhood program participants.
• Develops and implements annual project plan of action for the Male Involvement Network.
• Follows and disseminates guidelines for interagency coordination at the local level necessary to assure effective operation of the unit. 
• Participates in leadership position in the design and implementation of appropriate staff training

Key Skills:

• Strong organizational skills that reflect ability to perform and prioritize multiple tasks seamlessly with excellent attention to detail 
• Very strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build relationships with stakeholders, including staff, board members, external partners and donors 
• Expert level written and verbal communication skills 
• Demonstrated proactive approaches to problem-solving with strong decision-making capability 
• Emotional maturity 
• Highly resourceful team-player, with the ability to also be extremely effective independently 
• Proven ability to handle confidential information with discretion, be adaptable to various competing demands, and demonstrate the highest level of customer/client service and response 
• Demonstrated ability to achieve high performance goals and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment 
• Forward looking thinker, who actively seeks opportunities and proposes solutions

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree preferred 
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Google Suite, Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), Adobe Acrobat, and social media web platforms
• Have knowledge of the community issues and how family dynamics are affected 
• A minimum of five years of experience working for a non-profit organization and working with young adults, with an understanding of the criminal justice environment
• Strong ability to make connections to judicial, educational, vocational, internship/apprenticeships, and employment opportunities
• Official record check of criminal history and DCF history of substantiated abuse or neglect is required.  

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to sit, stand, walk, talk, see, hear, and reach with hands and arms. 
• Must be able to lift 20 pounds at a time
• Note: Physical requirements may be achieved with reasonable accommodation that does not result in an undue hardship to the organization

Note: Physical requirements may be achieved with reasonable accommodation that does not result in an undue hardship to the organization

JOB TITLE: Intensive Family Preservation (IPF) Case Manager
JOB TYPE: Full-Time
SALARY RANGE: $35.00 – $45.00 per hour
SCHEDULE: 8 hour shift (Monday – Friday)
WORK LOCATION: In person

SUMMARY:

Seeking a full time case manager position to utilize clinical skills required for home-based services provided to parents and children. Case manager position requires strong outreach and engagement skills, extensive documentation compliance, capacity to connect families with resources to meet basic needs, experience in supportive counseling and parent guidance skills as well as experience in collaboration with DCF, schools and community providers in the New Haven area. Knowledge of community resources, valid driver’s license and own car required. Email cover letter and resume. Activities are guided by the professional social work code of ethics and rules of confidentiality. A thorough knowledge of family functioning as described in the Job Description is expected with emphasis on the case manager’s cultural competence. Competence in providing home-based parenting education to families when abuse/neglect of children has been substantiated and a thorough knowledge of community resources is expected.

Essential Accountabilities:

• Direct Services worker/in-home services, travel required
• Prepare an Initial Assessment and Plan of Service which outlines the family background strengths, concerns and recommendations with a focus of child risk and protective factors
• Provide intensive, in-home, parenting education to the family to reduce risk and strengthen protective factors and support and advocacy to help families achieve their goals
• Provide transportation as necessary; have properly insured car available for transportation
• Provide crisis intervention as necessary to children and families
• Participate in case conferences with DCF staff, school conferences and court appearances with the family as requested
• Provide family advocacy and linkage to community resources as needed
• Participate in ongoing assessment and evaluation of the family’s goals
• Other relevant related duties, as assigned

Client Service Documentation:

• Provide necessary client information and documentation to DCF as required (contact logs, reports, case updates)
• Establish and maintain appropriate professional files which provide all necessary documentation regarding the family
• Provide weekly update to supervisor regarding all cases and, participate in weekly face-to face supervision with supervisor
• Attend individual and team supervision meetings; participate in monthly staff meetings
• Participate in monthly in-house training sessions

Qualifications:

• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage a caseload of families
• Effective leadership and time-management skills
• Strong written, verbal, interpersonal, and communication skills
• Effective organization and problem-solving skills
• Ability to stay calm in difficult and emotional situations
• Understanding of laws and regulations pertaining to custody, welfare, protection, etc.
• Knowledge of state and local directives and guidelines regarding children
• Ability and flexibility to complete tasks virtually, if necessary
• Ability to work evenings; if need be to address parents’ needs
• Must be able to pass a criminal and DCF background check
• Must have a valid driver’s license and an insured automobile for home visits, school visits, etc.
• Proficient in Google Suite, Microsoft Office Suite or similar software

Education and Experience:

• Degree in Social Work, Human Services, Criminal Justice, or related field
• Experience in clinical case management
• 2-4 years’ experience working with adolescents and families in a community setting

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to sit, stand, walk, talk, see, hear, and reach with hands and arms
• Must be able to lift 20 pounds at a time

Note: Physical requirements may be achieved with reasonable accommodation that does not result in an undue hardship to the organization

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Vision insurance

About Urban Community Alliance:

UCA’s mission is to empower families of color to develop healthy attachments and promote physical, emotional, social and spiritual well-being while developing a positive connection to their communities. UCA has three central beliefs:

• Support self-reliance through helping individuals realize their personal strengths and agency
• Nurture healthy families by integrating avenues of support within families through developing a sense of community
• Bolster civic engagement by offering resources and support to enable self-advocacy

Position: VETTS Mentor (Veterans Empowering Teens Through Support)
Reports To: VETTS Program Manager
FLSA Status: Non Exempt
Last Revised: 9/11/2024

VETTS Requirements

A. Nature of Work: VETTS employees are responsible for assisting youth involved in the prison and court system, to develop positive and supportive relationships within their home, and at risk for community violence. VETTS will involve the program participants in pro-social activities, assist with implementing goals, and provide academic support, life skills training, and employment skill exposure. VETTS employees must maintain high professionalism while representing Urban Community Alliance and the VETTS program while out in the community.

B. Commitment Time: Clients receive a minimum of 3 contacts weekly.

C. Examples of Work:
➔ Volunteering in the community
➔ Exploring colleges within the state
➔ Exploring Job Corp opportunities
➔ Assist youth in finding employment
➔ Assist youth in making choices that will not involve legal involvement
➔ Explore career choice
➔ Plan for immediate and future goals

Taking the youth into the community to explore pro-social activities and teaching independent living skills such as (but not limited to):
➔ Learning how to compare prices before making a purchase
➔ Learning where and how to shop for clothing and groceries
➔ Learning how to change a tire/car maintenance
➔ Learning how to wash and fold clothes
➔ Learning how to take the bus
➔ Learning how to take the train (within the state)
➔ Learning about & attending free pro-social activities in the community

D. Qualifications:

1. Must be able to utilize verbal de-escalation techniques should youth need assistance appropriate behaviors in the community.
2. Must be of good moral character and sound judgment.
3. Must be capable of gathering facts and information, without violating a youth’s
   confidentiality, regarding negative behaviors that may need to be reported to the proper source.
4. Must be able to submit written reports about time spent with the youth at their scheduled supervision meeting.
5. Must be willing to complete a two-week on-the-job training session before meeting with a client.
6. Must communicate effectively and coherently with referring agencies: Department of Children and Families, Connecticut Juvenile /Adult Court, Parole, Probation, and the local police department.
7. Must be able to transport the youth to and from scheduled meetings with VETTS mentors.
8. Must be able to communicate effectively with people including the youth and family.
9. Must be able to assist youth to mediate disputes with parole/probation, peers, and their family in a manner that promotes appropriate tone and affect.
10. Must be able to endure verbal abuse when confronting youth that are involved and accept hostile views and opinions that the youth may have about a person or situation.
11. Must pass a background investigation. Candidates must not have any felony convictions or serious misdemeanor convictions.
12. Must have a reasonable amount of time to commit to the youth’s contracted hours, supervision requirements, and note-writing.
13. Must attend periodic Urban Community Alliance staff training.
14. Must possess a valid driver’s license and be capable of operating their vehicle.
15. Must possess good judgment regarding the weather and transporting a youth in a vehicle.
16. Must have or be willing to obtain CPR/First Aid/AED certification.
17. Must complete a 6-month probationary period.

E. Salary: $22.50 per hour.

F. Hours: 20 hours per week. There is some flexibility in the hours. 1⁄2 hour per child is required for supervision.

G. Requirements:

• Must be 21+
• Must have your registered vehicle
• Must have a valid driver’s license and insurance
• Must submit to the following background checks: CPS, DMV, Police background
• Must have an Honorable discharge from the military (if discharged)
• Must have a high school diploma
• Must not have a felony

The following requirements are preferred but not required:

• Advanced college degree (Bachelor’s or Master’s)
• Prior experience with youth, young adults, and adults.

Interested Candidates: Submit resume and letter of interest to pepe.vega@ucainc.org 
Urban Community Alliance Operations at maguena.deslandes@ucainc.org,
(203) 786-5970 X. 4110.