I just watched the last of the trucks drive away from my house and I turned in my hard hat and keys. As of today I am no longer an arborist. No I wasn't fired, I've been offered a new job in Salt Lake and on Jan. 2nd I will begin work for the
International Rescue Committee. As with many new jobs I'm not exactly sure what all of my duties will be, but according to the job description here's some of what I'll be doing.
- Ensure housing, furnishings, and supplies are ready for new arrivals; provide airport reception to all free cases and to anchor cases when instructed by the supervisor.
- Upon arrival, provide housing orientation to newly arrived refugees.
- Provide transportation and translation for Social Security Administration appointments and applications; medical screening transportation and translation; Department of Workforce Services application, transportation and translation; perform intake interviews and home visits; assist with the Selective Service Registration, etc.
- Provide initial orientation to include refugees’ rights, agency responsibilities and refugee responsibilities. Orient refugees about the community, healthcare system, and other services available.
- Ensure that eligible refugees receive Utah Horizon Card (food stamps and cash assistance), Medicaid coverage, ESL classes’ referral and enrollment assistance.
- Ensure that children are enrolled in school and facilitate enrollment in higher education system.
- Assist job developers with employment counseling and placement, when requested.
- Ensure provision of specialized services to minor refugees traveling without parents as defined by the Cooperative Agreement.
So to sum it all up I'll be a type of case worker that helps refugees from other countries get settled in Salt Lake, get a job, get their kids in school and work towards establishing a new life here. I'm excited, it sounds like fun and I'm ready to try something new.
