Summary of Responsibilities:

The caseworker position is established to investigate child welfare complaints and reports on Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma tribal land as well as provide foster care, adoptive and alternative placement services for children and to support family/child welfare services. The position will meet the need for developing and recruiting families to provide out of home placements for Indian children. The position is under the direct supervision of the Director of Social Services. Incumbent shall discuss all plans of action with the supervisor prior to taking actions that pertain to child welfare investigations, out of home placements, foster care, adoption and child welfare services.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Search and identify Indian foster care homes and Indian adoptive parents through active efforts in the community and statewide recruitment.
• Maintain recordkeeping on open foster/adoptive homes and monitors recruitment, referrals, and records.
• Collect and compile factual data on individuals, families, and groups to determine services and address identified problems and needs.
• Provide and monitor service referrals and cases outcomes through follow-up contacts with individuals, families, and service providers.
• Prepare and maintain all requisite services and program records and reports.
• Assist with court ordered visitation between tribal children in custody and their families.
• Investigate child abuse claims and reports that are on tribal land.
• Participate in tribal court proceedings regarding child abuse cases on trust land.
• Provide recruitment and retention services for foster/adoptive homes.
• Complete home assessments, home visits and to monitor home conditions to ensure physical security of children and to protect children from harmful environment.
• Interact with state and local counties on recruitment and services and providing services to foster parents that request assistance, or to assist in providing transportation.
• Assist and attend meetings and trainings on foster care, adoption, and related subjects and activities to gain skills to increase and enhance foster care/adoptive services.
• Maintain and develop casework skills through active participation in meetings, workshops and seminars related to position responsibilities.
• Serves as advocate for Indian children and Indian family unit in representing and articulating needs and in providing liaison between Indian clientele and social service providers and agencies, especially in foster care placements.
• Provide transportation and visitation services for families and children in custody.
• Provide training and resources assistance to foster homes.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience:

• Associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree in Social Work or comparable equivalent work and training experience.
• Must be willing to work other than normal hours including weekends and holidays.

Certificates:

• CPR and First Aid Certification.
• Active Driver’s License.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• General knowledge of Indian Child Welfare program and the Tribal, Federal, and State laws that govern the Indian Child Welfare program.
• Knowledge of needs and challenges experienced by people from diverse socio-economic and cultural backgrounds.
• Knowledgeable about working within Tribal government structures.
• Understanding of tribal cultures, customs, beliefs, values, social systems, and structure of Indian families.
• Ability to deal with crisis oriented situations and extreme human behaviors or reactions caused by crisis.
• Ability to work emergency call-outs, nights, weekends and holidays.
• Thorough skills in effectively working with people, in evaluation and choosing appropriate course of action; and in communicating effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to gather data, compiles information, and prepare reports.

Conditions of Employment:

The Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma operates a drug-free workplace.

• Must submit to and pass applicable drug test.
• Must pass background investigations for suitability of character identified in accordance with the Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Prevention Act.