Domestic Specialist

Location: Birmingham, AL

(strongly preferred but will consider locations preferably near another Lifeline office)

Position Status: Full Time

Position Summary: Equips prospective adoptive families for the domestic adoption process by serving on the family’s team as the domestic expert and being the primary contact during initial, waiting, and placement phases.

Primary Duties:

• To be a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ to co-workers, clients and ministry partners
• Actively participates on the team in a manner aligned with scripture including, but not limited to, praying for and with other team members, sharing scripture in daily activities and leadership, modeling the character of Jesus Christ in interactions with team and any external clients, partners, vendors, etc.
• Disciples ministry partners and clients.
• Aligns team dynamics, internal & external processes, and final product of team’s work with Biblical principles and with Lifeline’s Core Values
• Assists with recruitment, informing, assessing, and maintaining prospective adoptive families for the domestic program
• Adheres to excellent social service standards and practice in compliance with Lifeline’s Core Values and Ministry Goals through consistent support, training and development
• Provides Initial contact and interview with prospective adoptive families to establish rapport, set expectations, and assess family’s initial suitability for the program
• Completes the Orientation Interview with clients utilizing interviewing as a main tool for quality social casework
• Provides assessment of the client’s interpersonal relationships, family dynamics and environmental stresses and support, and mental health status.
• Works collaboratively with the family’s local caseworker to serve the family effectively
• Supports families through the waiting phase through regular communication and assisting them in assessing their capacity for each potential match
• Supports families through the match and placement phases through regular communication, preparing them for meeting expectant parents, preparing them for the unknowns of the process
• Works collaboratively with the pregnancy counselors during match and placement phases
• Equips families for the legal and post placement phase of the process
• Equips families to meet the unique needs of their child through education, resources, and referrals
• Equips families for an open adoption and ministry to birth parents
• Works collaboratively with the family’s local caseworker to ensure all documents stay up to date, abides by all Lifeline, state, and federal standards
• Discipling families through the ups and downs of the adoption journey
• Staying current on all domestic policies and procedures
• Staying up to date on the latest domestic infant adoption research and trends and suggesting improvements in the process for adoptive families
• Maintaining social work license, if required by state.
  
  
  

Other Duties:

• Assisting in agency-related events, including the annual staff retreat, the annual dinner, anniversary celebrations, across all Lifeline programs
• Maintains good relationships with co-workers, including solving all disputes in a Biblically prescribed fashion
• Represents the agency in a professional manner in and away from the office.
• Encourages and supports church engagement efforts, including live presence opportunities, adoption information meetings, and biblical teaching on caring for vulnerable children.
• If qualified by the state, conduct home studies, post placement/adoption reports or other related adoption services for families in your geographical area when necessary.
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor or member of the Executive team.
  
  
  

All roles at Lifeline are designed to function as a flexible, team-based position. While primary responsibilities are outlined, employees may be asked to support additional programs, service areas, or initiatives based on organizational needs, workload/caseload demands, and supervisor direction. Any additional duties will be consistent with the employee’s training, licensure, role classification, and Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) status and will not fundamentally change the nature of the position.

Minimum Requirements:

Education: Bachelor’s degree in social work (preferred) or a related human services field (whichever is required by State)

Experience: No minimum experience needed except what is listed above

Licensure: Not required unless required by State; Social Work licensure, strongly preferred

Other: Must lift at least 25lbs, must have reliable transportation

Work Environment:

• Work is performed in a professional office environment unless allowed under Remote Worker Policy.
  
  
  

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Posted 9/15/26