Child Welfare - Foster Care Specialist

Position: Foster Care Specialist- Kalamazoo

Status: Exempt (Salary), Full Time: Annual compensation of $41,600- $52,000, commensurate with qualifications and experience; position also has a $2,000 sign on bonus! Hybrid remote opportunity after completion of training.

Benefits: Benefits Package including health insurance, dental, vision, generous Paid Time Off, 9 paid holidays + 1 floating holiday, life insurance, 401k plan, free Employee Assistance Program, etc. Mileage is reimbursed for driving for this position.

Family & Children Services Video

SUMMARY

Provide direct service to legal families, foster children and their licensed or unlicensed caregivers. Includes transporting clients, overseeing parenting time, assisting in case related activities on an as needed basis. Involves case management, assessment of family situations, court appearances, conducting Family Team Meetings, service planning and documentation, report writing and provision with a team approach.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Responsibilities associated with this job will change from time to time in accordance with the agency's program and business needs. More specifically, the incumbent may be required to perform additional and/or different responsibilities from those described below.

Exemplifies and adheres to the Agency Values of Respect, Integrity, Service and Empowerment.

Provides direct service to the child(ren)'s legal family, the children and their caregivers that demonstrates functionally specific knowledge/implementation of skills/interventions to fulfill program objectives.

Provide out-of-office service in clients' homes and/or community settings in non-structured, unpredictable situations.

Provide transportation as needed.

Document all case related activity in the case file and the State database.

Participate in foster parent recruitment and retention activities.

Participate with the Adoption Specialist in preparing the child(ren) for adoption and working with adoptive parents.

Works on COA related directives for Foster Care.

QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, and individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Must have excellent clinical and engagement skills.

Strong communication skills and ability to understand, motivate and/or influence people and an awareness of the importance of cultural difference within service population.

Ability to read and interpret documents.

Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one situations to staff, service recipients, and foster and adoptive parents required.

Must present a professional appearance and a friendly manner.

Must be dependable and punctual.

Be self-directed, willing to take initiative, organized and detail-oriented.

Respect and maintain confidentiality of those served by Family & Children Services

Proficiency in Microsoft Office including Word and Excel

Must be able to transport clients in employee-provided vehicle; must have a valid driver's license.

Must be able to visually assess the safety of the environment and the physical well-being of children in the home.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor's degree in a Human Services field required.

Two (2) years related training/experience in working with families involved in the child welfare system, general understanding of childhood development.

Communication skills and ability to understand motivate and/or influence people.

Work experience with behavioral health issues is desired.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

Valid Driver's License

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.

Must be able to lift up to 25 lbs.

Must be able to transport clients in own vehicle; this includes adult clients and their children.

Ability to drive own vehicle and maintain a valid, unrestricted driver's license and vehicle insurance that meets agency requirements is required for this role.

Ability to drive during the day or evening, and in varied weather conditions, is required for this role.

Home visits are often made during evening hours as required to meet family need. A small percentage of home visits may need to be made on weekends.

Family & Children Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Additional Video Links:

https://fcsource.org/video/Foster-Care-Kalamazoo-Need-video-4.22.mp4

https://fcsource.org/video/foster-care-become/What_Makes_Family__Children_Services_Special_4-10-21.mp4

https://fcsource.org/video/foster-care-become/Whats_It_Like_Working_With_a_Childs_Biological_Family_4-10-21.mp4