Social Worker (Post Adoption)

Post Adoption Social Worker - Small non-profit organization, great people, lots of perks and benefits

Are you looking for a role that will allow you to continue providing direct service to families without requiring you to always be on call? Do you enjoy working in the community and supporting adoptive families? Come work at an organization where you can enjoy a good work/life balance and flexible schedule while making a difference for families and youth.

THE ORGANIZATION

Greenlight Family Services is a small non-profit child welfare agency specializing in adoption, guardianship, and counseling services. Since 2008, Greenlight has maintained a Post Adoption program that allows social workers to provide services and resources to families caring for a child who was previously in the Illinois foster care system. Post adoption and guardianship services strengthen families by providing them with the support of qualified and licensed social workers. Recognizing that transportation can be a barrier preventing families from receiving services, Greenlight specializes in working within communities and delivering services directly in home.

THE POSITION

Greenlight Family Services is seeking a social worker with at least 2 years of experience in Child Welfare and with DCFS. Only candidates with their CERAP (Child Endangerment Risk Assessment Protocol) certification will be considered. A Master of Social Work is preferred. A Master’s in a related field will be considered.

The candidate hired for this position will carry their own caseload. They will work directly with clients to achieve the best outcomes for families, young adults, and children. The social worker hired for this position will work with families facing disruptions after the death or incapacitation of the adoptive parents. The candidate will also advocate for minors with special needs by assisting in IEP meetings, provide back-up planning to further the stability of families, establish short-term guardianship for minors facing temporary changes in placement, and handle preliminary steps for caregivers seeking adult guardianship of special needs minors turning 18.

Regular supervision will be available with easy access to the supervisor for questions and training. This position requires the candidate to be a self-motivated worker who is comfortable creating goals and tasks for themselves. The social worker must be comfortable conducting home visits independently within the state of Illinois, primarily in Central and Southern Regions. Overnight stays out of town will be very rare, but may sometimes be required.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

The candidate should be a self-starter who is able to work independently. Excellent writing and organizational skills are crucial. They must have an established comfort level interacting with diverse families, DCFS caseworkers, and attorneys. Highly developed interpersonal skills is an absolute must, as the candidate will be interacting directly with clients and will need to be able to read people and situations. Greenlight is seeking someone who is dedicated to helping others, with a genuine interest in preserving families.

SCHEDULE

The candidate hired for this position will work part time 20 hours a week.

This is a hybrid position. During the initial training period, the candidate may be required to spend more hours on-site at Greenlight's Springfield, IL office. Long term, the candidate should expect to spend 4 hours each week at the office, and the rest of their time remotely working from home or out in the field.

Days and hours are flexible. This job requires real-time coordination with colleagues and other professionals during regular working hours (Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 5PM). For this reason, this is NOT a job that can be worked exclusively on weekends or entirely in the evening. You can anticipate some home visits happening in the early morning or on evenings if that is the client's availability, but you should expect to work largely during regular work hours.

DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

• Write adoption subsidies (writing intensive).
• Identify service needs for parents/minors and complete appropriate referrals.
• Attend IEP meetings.
• Complete preliminary steps for caregivers seeking adult guardianship of special needs minors turning 18.
• Assist families with short-term guardianship.
• Maintain consistent communication with the DCFS Post Adoption Unit and DCFS Legal regarding the status of cases.
• Attend monthly virtual DCFS staffing meetings to discuss case progress.
• Complete in-person home visits and meetings within Illinois.

REQUIREMENTS

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, G-Suite or related software.
• Proficient in the use of computers and other office equipment.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and as a productive team member.
• Must be able to pass a background check.
• Experience with adoption subsidies, educational advocacy services, DCFS, court, and/or other private agencies is a plus.

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES, AND EXPERIENCE

• Master’s degree required, preferably an MSW.
• At least two (2) years of experience in adoption, foster care, or child protective services.
• At least two (2) years of experience with DCFS.
• CERAP (Child Endangerment Risk Assessment Protocol) certified.
• CWEL (Child Welfare License) preferred.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Prolonged periods sitting either in a car driving or at a desk working on a computer.
• Must be able to walk up stairs, as some home visits may be to buildings without elevators.
• Must be able to lift up to 25 pounds at a time.

TRAVEL

• This is a hybrid position.
• Must spend a minimum of 4 hours per week at the Springfield located at 1 W Old State Capitol Plz Ave.
• Travel to home visits throughout Central and Southern regions is required as scheduled.
• Overnight stays may occasionally be required.
• Must have a valid driver’s license, a working vehicle, and auto insurance.

SALARY

• Starting annual salary of $25,000.

For more information about the agency, visit: www.greenlightfamilyservices.org

Pay: $25,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

• Briefly describe any past work experience you have with DCFS.
• This position is writing intensive. The ideal candidate must have excellent writing skills. If you do not have strong writing skills, then you will not perform well in this position and will not make it past the 90 day probation period. Please indicate your understanding that this position requires that you demonstrate strong writing skills.
• Certain felonies may prohibit a candidate from working with children. A background check is mandatory. Are you able to pass a background check?
• The salary for this position is $25,000. This is a firm salary. Please indicate that you understand the stated salary and are still interested in the position.

Education:

• Master's (Required)

Experience:

• adoption subsidy: 1 year (Preferred)
• adult guardianship: 1 year (Preferred)
• educational advocacy: 1 year (Preferred)
• adoption, foster care, or child protective services: 2 years (Required)

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Required)
• Child Welfare License (Preferred)
• CERAP Certification (Required)

Willingness to travel:

• 25% (Required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Springfield, IL 62701

Salary : $25,000