Placement Specialist, Transitional Foster Care

Requisition #: req12849

Location: Kalamazoo, MI

Hours: Full-time (40 hours/week)

Bethany is changing the world through family. We began our work by serving one child more than 75 years ago. Today, Bethany is an international Christian nonprofit partnering with communities in more than 30 states and in several countries around the world. We strengthen and preserve families, support displaced people fleeing danger, and find safe, loving families for children who need them. Bethany is at the forefront of creating and implementing solutions to meet the growing needs of vulnerable children and families in the U.S. and around the world.

The UC Transitional Foster Care (TFC) Placement Specialist is primarily responsible for coordinating referrals and placements for short-term case management services, while ensuring streamlined and timely practices within the intake and referral processes. This individual will also be responsible for assisting the capacity management team by regularly monitoring, tracking, and reporting overarching trends across the network. This individual will maintain and build positive relationships with each transitional site as well as respective staff and foster families.

This position is expected to function effectively with moderate supervision while following the guidelines given on procedures, along with agency, federal, and state regulatory requirements.

ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Coordinate placements in the shelter and/or foster homes across transitional site locations;
• Lead Role: Provide supervision and leadership to the second and third shift Placement Specialists;
• Collaborate effectively and communicate clearly with each transitional site locations, while ensuring a streamlined intake process;
• Visit site locations regularly to build and maintain positive relationships with staff and foster families across all program locations;
• Address ORR related calls and field the calls to the appropriate individual when necessary;
• Effectively track intakes and discharges across all site locations;
• Assist the capacity management team by routinely monitoring, tracking and reporting overarching trends across the network;
• Attend routine meetings with supervisor to schedule and prioritize tasks;
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date client records in accordance with agency, federal and state requirements;
• Assist in the coordination of travel arrangements for intakes and discharges, to include but not limited to meet and greets with ICE and/or arranging transport companies for all sites;
• Effectively communicate with staff and keep staff up to date on upcoming intakes and discharges across all transitional program sites;
• Provide support to teams to include but not limited to conducting remote intakes, ordering food, assembling intake folders, conducting client orientations and providing transportation, as needed;
• Participate in 24 hour on-call schedule rotation based on program needs;
• Attend internal and external trainings as requested by supervisor and apply newly gained knowledge on the job;
• Complete other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s level degree in Human Services, Social Work, or related field of study from an accredited college;
• At least one (1) year experience in child welfare services;
• Bi-lingual: English and Spanish, preferred;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills;
• Must have an ability to provide excellent and compassionate customer service;
• Work well under pressure and adaptable to change;
• Demonstrated ability to relate well and work well with others;
• Demonstrated ability to work independently with high initiative;
• Demonstrated temperament to work and care for refugee youth from various cultural backgrounds;
• Must be reliable with time sensitive deadlines and tasks;
• Computer skills sufficient to perform essential functions including knowledge of Microsoft Office suite;
• Must be able and willing to work some evenings and weekends as needed;
• Must be 21 years old with a valid driver’s license with at least 3 years driving experience in the U.S. to operate a vehicle on behalf of Bethany. Must also pass a Motor Vehicle Records (MVR) check and maintain a reliable vehicle with proof of adequate insurance coverage;
• Pass a criminal history screen, including state and local child protection agency registries;
• Documentation of immunity to vaccine preventable diseases or the willingness to receive vaccination, or seek an exemption;
• Subscription to and integration of the agency Statement of Faith and Mission Statement.