ICW Director

The Indian Child Welfare Director will supervise and oversee all operations and staff of the ICW Department. This includes but is not limited to planning, directing, and coordinating the overall management of the Indian Child Welfare (ICW) as well as ensure compliance with the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) and APS and ordinance of Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma. Preview and evaluate the department and establish policies and procedures to keep the Indian Child Welfare Department in compliance with state and federal regulations for the Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma including matters relating to child protective cases, adoptions, guardianships, termination of parental rights, voluntary placement of children, and foster care compliance. Adult Protection Services within the Social Services area. This Director is responsible for advocating for the best interests of Tribal children, Adult Guardians and promoting the general welfare need of Tribal community. This position organizationally falls under the Executive Director of the Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma. 

Tasks are as follows, but not limited to:

1. Providing oversight and accounting for program funding received from the BIA’s Self-governance Compact and from other federal or state funding (ie., Family Preservation and Support). Maintain budgets for all programs and coordinates payments with accountants.
2. Negotiating agreements with Federal or State Agencies to access funding or services for children and families involved in ICW services (ie., State/Tribal Foster Care Assistance/Adoption Subsidies/Medical Treatment or any costs for Residential Care).
3. Assuring tribal compliance with the ICW Act by operating a tribal child and family service program with the primary objective being to prevent the breakup of the Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma and to ensure that removal of a Kickapoo child from the custody of his or her parent or custodian shall be the last resort.

1. by providing a system for licensing or otherwise regulating Indian

                        foster and adoptive homes using established tribal standards for approval                           of foster or adoptive homes.

1. by operating and maintaining facilities for counseling and treatment of                      Kickapoo families and for the temporary custody of Kickapoo children              with the goal of strengthening Kickapoo families and preventing parent-          child separations.

4.  Administrative supervisor and coordinator of the Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma Tribal            children and family service program operations and priorities.

5.  Serve as advocate for Indian children in Tribal and State court to reunify Indian families.

6.  Monitoring and assuring contract compliance with the State of Oklahoma Bureau of   Indian Affairs.

1. Planning and coordinating staff training.
2. Provide technical assistance and advice to Indian children and families regarding child welfare.
3. Implement program development activity to enhance and increase resources and funding.
4. Coordinate and supervise daily activities and will monitor the performance of the ICW staff.
5. Attend and participate in consultations and meetings with persons from other tribes and related Indian organizations to promote interest in Indian Child Welfare.

13. Coordinate, review, monitor, and implement guidelines for foster care/adoptive Tribal homes.

14. Assuring all staff are competent in policies, procedures, and laws to remain compliant.

15.  Reconciles expenditures with Accountants. Sign off on all requests for payments

whether it is for Tribal or Federal Assistance and assures expenditures are in

compliance with tribal/federal guidelines. Keeps records on program expenditures.

Prepares and submits all reports required by each funding agency and assures

applicants for those funds are timely submitted.

16. Carry small caseload of Federal Services and Assistant clientele and coordinate

services with the Federal/Tribal Caseworkers as well as any services needed by

Tribal Assistance applicants.

Education and Experience:

• High School Diploma or GED
• Bachelor’s Degree in social work preferred. 
• At least five years of progressive experience in child welfare administration or social services
• Knowledge of methods, principles, practices of child welfare management and able to communicate orally and in writing with a diverse variety of people and agencies.
• Ability to comprehend the broad scope of child welfare programs and their inter-relationships with other tribal, federal, state, and local programs.
• Must have a valid, unrestricted driver's license and ability to travel within the six-county service area or to necessary training.
• Must submit to required Federal security and criminal background checks for handling trust accounts and in dealing with children.   
• Subject to drug/alcohol testing.

• Demonstrated competency in the management and direction of effort in Indian Child Welfare.
• Professional working relationships, with family support services entities, child advocacy, legal training, data and record keeping, and experience with placement and monitoring of foster care homes. 
• Ability to counsel clients or make appropriate referrals.
• Ability to implement new programs and oversee supporting staff.
• Ability to interact with tribal members, government employees, and the general public.
• Must have telephone etiquette, a good personality, compassion, and patience with tribal members and the public.
• Must have excellent communication skills both verbally and written.
• Ability to do the work of the position with or without direct supervision.

Ability to work under pressure and maintain personal composure, evaluate situations and act/react appropriately, use tact in dealing with business associates, staff, visitors, and tribal members in difficult situations.

There are constant deadlines associated with this position.  The employee must be able to multi-task and interact with a wide variety of people at various times and on complicated and diverse issues.

The work environment characteristics described herein are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the primary functions of this job as Indian Child Welfare Director.  There will be tribal court settings as well as normal office and conditions with other associated programs and services; Noise levels, stress, tribal members/visitors flow and number of associates directly managed will vary but may be considered high.  Administrative workload will be managed daily with additional hours required from time-to-time.

The physical demands described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the primary functions of this job.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to frequently stand, walk, sit, bend, twist, talk and hear/listen.  There are prolonged periods of sitting, keyboarding, reading as well as standing. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to fifty (50) pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include reading, distance and computer and color vision.  Talking and hearing/listening are essential to communicate with tribal members/clients/staff and peers.  

In performance of their respective tasks and duties all employees of the Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma are expected to conform to the following:

• Uphold all principles of confidentially to the fullest extent.
• Adhere to all professional and ethical behavior standards, must be compliant with the personnel policies.
• Interact in an honest, trustworthy, and dependable manner with co-workers/clients.
• Must be culturally sensitive and respectful to the beliefs and traditions of the Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma
• Meet or exceed the performance standards as set out by organization.
• Work independently and as a team member; consistently demonstrating professionalism, courtesy, efficiency, excellent internal and external customer service, high ethical standards and behavior that contribute to harmonious relationships.
• Uphold the Policy and Procedures of the Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma and associated programs services and the Kickapoo Tribe Employee Policy and Procedures.
• To report and document accidents/injuries immediately to supervisor.
• Maintain high standards of personal appearance and grooming.
• Attends all scheduled employee meetings/trainings and brings suggestions for improvement.

The Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma is committed to Equal Employment without regard to race, religion, color, gender, national origin, age, disability, or sexual orientation.  However, in accordance with the Indian Preference Act (Title 25 U.S. Code 472 and 473) preference in filling vacancies are given to qualified Indian candidates.

In reference to Personnel Policy, Section 1-24, Employment At-Will.  All employees who do not have a written contract with the employer for a specific fixed term of employment are thereby employed at the will of the employer for an indefinite period. Employment with the Kickapoo Tribe, without a written contract, is voluntary and therefore employees are free to resign at any time with or without cause or reason.  Likewise, the Tribe may terminate the employment relationship at any time with or without notice and for any lawful reason deemed appropriate by the Tribe for good cause, bad cause, or no cause at all.  This policy is commonly referred to as “employment-at-will.”

DISCLAIMER:  The information on this position description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performance by employees in this position.  It is not designed to contain, or be interpreted as, a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this position.  Employee will be asked to perform other duties as needed.