REPORTS TO: Child Welfare- Program Manager 

UNIT: Child Welfare

FLSA STATUS: Exempt

SALARY: $45,201.00/yearly

DATE ADOPTED: October, 2023

JOB SUMMARY:

This position provides intake of applications for prospective foster parents. This position is responsible for the processing of applications, certification and recertification of county foster homes. Assignments include the provision of extensive assessment and situational evaluation, counseling, resource mobilization and information and referral around all areas of foster care recruitment and certification.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: (The following are illustrative of essential functions to perform duties and responsibilities of the job. The position may not be required to perform all duties listed, and may be required to perform additional tasks as needed by the Department. Reasonable accommodations, as defined under the American with Disabilities Act, will be made when possible.)

• Recruitment and certification of county foster homes for Alamosa County and potentially San Luis Valley counties.
• Completion of the Structured Analysis Family Evaluation (SAFE) home study to meet the state mandated requirement for foster home and kinship certification or adoption.
• Gathers and consolidates background information to validate certification of foster home.
• Conducts monthly visits to foster homes and discusses foster parents needs and concerns.
• Responsible for maintaining foster home case records, completion of all required forms and reports as well as department subsidized adoption files to assure all required documentation meets state mandated requirements.
• Maintain and updates foster parent availability list and provides list to each county department in the San Luis Valley.
• Coordinate new and ongoing foster parent training.
• Coordinate foster parent support group meetings and activities.
• Assist caseworkers in finding available foster home placements for children in need of foster care.
• Required to be on-call and act as a liaison to assist foster parents to maintain connection to caseworkers, supervisors and other resources.
• Serves as information and referral source for community partners and other foster parents.
• Participates in staffing’s with school, mental health facilities, child protection review teams and other professionals involved in the certification process.
• Makes collateral contacts with such community resources as law enforcement and medical personnel to obtain additional information, coordinate services, or secure their assistance in the certification process.
• Critical decisions are made regarding difficult case situations only with involvement and concurrence of the Supervisor. Incumbent is expected to develop skill in the application of various casework, techniques, and methodology.
• Work is reviewed for compliance to procedures, methods, general conclusions, final results and accuracy on a regular basis through staffing’s and supervisory reviews.
• Ability to work schedule as set by supervisor and program.
• Ability to follow policies and procedures of the County, DHS and the State.
• Ability to work well independently or in a team as required.
• Ability to communicate clearly (verbally & in writing) in English.
• Ability to meet the physical requirements listed below.

​​​​​​​REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Knowledge:​​​​​​​

• Knowledge of established theories, principles and concepts of social casework practice
• Therapeutic theories and practices relating to families and children.
• Child development, life stage development, attachment and bonding theories and appropriate parenting practices.
• Understanding mediation process and family engagement process.
• Human physical, emotional, psychological and social stages of development.
• Addition, domestic/family violence, developmental disabilities and mental health issues and signs/symptoms.
• Child protection issues and investigative procedures, laws and time lines, including Indian Child Welfare laws.
• Multi-cultural issues and differences.
• Community resources available to assist clients.
• Knowledge of legal documents and legal processes.
• Knowledge of applicable privacy laws and statutes.

Skills:

• Proficient computer skills to perform job tasks
• Proficient writing skills to perform home study evaluations
• Learn and operate software specific to DHS
• Negotiation skills to facilitate an agreement

​​​​​​​Abilities:

• Ability to gather and interpret data and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to respond to each client with empathy and respect.
• Ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to a wide range of intellectual and practical problems.
• Ability to deal with a variety of abstract and concrete variables.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written and oral form with completion of work product within recommended timelines recommended.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common informational memos and legal documents.
• Ability to conduct research, to verify information and reconcile information provided.
• Ability to prepare documentation for Court hearings if necessary.
• Ability to read and interpret policy and procedures.
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence that are clear and concise.
• Ability to maintain sensitive and confidential information
• Ability to respond to common inquiries of complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community
• Ability to write speeches and articles for publication that conform to prescribed style and format.
• Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization, attorneys and the courts.
• Ability to deescalate chaotic and/or potentially violent situations and set limits when appropriate.
• Ability to work in a stressful environment.

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATION:

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a Bachelor’s degree (B.A. or B.S) required in Social Work or other human behavioral science field. One (1) years of full time professional social casework journey level experience required or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Driver’s License Required.
• Successfully complete state mandated Child Welfare Caseworker Academy Training.
• Maintain annual recertification by obtaining 40 hours of training

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS, WORK CONDITIONS AND ENVIRONMENT:​​​​​​​

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. Minimal physical effort generally required in the performance of duties under typically office conditions. Position requires the ability to operate a computer keyboard at an efficient speed. This might involve repetitive hand movement and fine coordination. The employee is frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls, and to reach with hands and arms. The position is required to stand, sit for long periods of time, talk and hear. Hearing and vision correctable to normal ranges; close-up vision and the ability to adjust focus across an audience. Occasionally, the position may stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, carry, twist and push and/or pull light to moderate amounts of weight. The employee is required to communicate both orally and in writing. Employee must be able to reach and manipulate objects, tools or controls, and lift up to 25 pounds. The noise level may be very quiet to noisy depending on the situation. On occasion it may be required to drive in a variety of weather conditions both locally and throughout the state.

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The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the essential functions of this job, the level of knowledge, skills and abilities typically required, and the scope of responsibility, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods, or otherwise to balance the workload.

It is the policy of Alamosa County to not discriminate against any person with regard to all federally protected classifications including race, color, religion, sex (pregnancy, sexual orientation and gender identity), age (over 40), national origin, marital status, any disability, genetic information and testing, family status or any other applicable status protected by federal, state or local law.

This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and the employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.