Foster Care Recruitment Specialist

Starting Wage Range: $27.05/hr. - $34.95/hr.

Job Summary:

Recruit, certify and provide support to families, relatives, and those interested in and/or providing care and placement for Tribal youth in the foster care system.

Essential Functions:

• Develops and implements culturally appropriate recruitment strategies to engage prospective care providers for youth in need of care.
• Attends community events, cultural gatherings, and Tribal meetings to raise awareness and provide information around becoming a care provider, role and processes in supporting youth and families in care.
• Develops recruitment materials that highlight needs and benefits of keeping Tribal youth connected to their families, communities, and culture.
• Determines eligibility for foster care certification for prospective foster homes.
• Guides prospective care providers through the application process.
• Completes home study for prospective care providers.
• Completes background checks for prospective care providers.
• Provides support services to tribally certified foster homes
• Engagement with care providers through regular home visits, calls, and correspondence.
• Refers and connects care providers to training and educational opportunities.
• Provides advocacy and support to care providers.
• Assists with coordinating support services for care providers that can include but are not limited to, crisis support, parenting resources, respite care, childcare, and transportation.
• Provides placement services for Tribal children entering care
• Explores relative placements based on placement preference established by the Tribal Ordinance for children that are enrolled or eligible for enrollment.
• Determines suitability of home and care providers for placement of Tribal child (ren).
• Advocates and coordinates with State agencies for placement of Tribal children.
• Coordinates change of placements for tribal children in care when needed.
• Performs work in a fast-paced and stressful environment where the incumbent must multi-task to complete work assignments
• Works with angry or disgruntled clients cooperatively and effectively.
• Works as a team within CFS to meet the needs of children and families.
• Participates in regular department meetings.
• Attends court proceedings as needed.
• Performs a variety of other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Education, Experience, and Licenses:

• Requires a High School Diploma or GED. An AA/AS degree in Social Work or closely related field of study is preferred.
• Requires a minimum of two (2) years of work experience in Human Services or closely related field.
• OR equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Driving Requirements:

• Must maintain a valid Oregon driver’s license or obtain one upon hire, qualify for the Tribe’s vehicle insurance, and provide proof of personal vehicle insurance.

Qualifications, Registrations, and Certifications:

• Requires a working knowledge of the Indian Child Welfare Act.
• Must have ability to communicate effectively, both written and orally.
• Demonstrated skills in handling crisis/hostile environments.
• Requires a First Aid/CPR Certificate.
• Requires knowledge of computers, database programs, copy machine, and fax.
• Must have the ability to perform multiple tasks in a fast-paced and stressful environment.
• Must have the ability to work with angry or disgruntled client in a cooperative and effective manner.
• Knowledge of and sensitivity to Native American culture is required.

Environmental Factors and Conditions/Physical Requirements:

• Continually requires the ability to express or receive detailed information or important instructions through oral communication.
• Continually requires working with fingers rather than the whole hand or arm. Requires repetitive movement of wrists, hands and/or fingers. Often requires walking or moving about to accomplish tasks.
• Requires standing and/or sitting for sustained periods of time, raising objects from a lower to a higher position and/or moving objects horizontally.
• Occasionally requires lifting of up to 20 pounds.
• This position is frequently subject to inside environmental conditions which provide protection from weather conditions, but not necessarily from temperature changes, and is occasionally subject to outside environmental conditions.

• Supports a safe work environment by performing all duties in accordance with Tribal safety policies and procedures, and Emergency Management Plan.

• Due to the nature of the interactions with other employees and the public we serve, employees may be required to provide documentation of, or receive, certain health vaccinations.
• May be called upon to serve as a Disaster Reservist during emergencies.
• Local travel is occasionally required. Travel outside of the state is infrequently required.

Background Check:

Candidates for this position will be subject to criminal and character background checks and may be subject to fingerprinting.

Education

• High School or better

• Associates or better in Social Work or related field

Licenses & Certifications

• CPR/First Aid Card
• Driver's License