Child & Adult Welfare Program Manager

Job Identification:

Position Summary:

The Child and Adult Welfare Program Manager oversees Tribal Child Welfare, Tribal Youth Case Management, and Adult Protective Services programs for the Nation. This position provides leadership, program administration, staff supervision, case oversight, and strategic planning to ensure the safety, well-being, and advocacy of Native American children, youth, vulnerable adults, elders, and families through culturally responsive services.

The Manager collaborates with tribal leadership, courts, law enforcement, healthcare providers, schools, and community partners to ensure coordinated service delivery and serves as the primary liaison with tribal, state, and federal agencies. The position is responsible for ensuring compliance with applicable tribal, federal, and state laws and regulations, including the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), in support of the Nation's mission to protect and strengthen Native families and communities.

Essential Job Functions:

• Oversee, supervise, and provide leadership, guidance, mentoring, and training to Tribal Child Welfare, Tribal Youth Case Management, and Adult Protective Services staff.
• Develop, implement, evaluate, and improve programs, services, policies, procedures, and strategic initiatives in accordance with tribal, federal, and state laws, regulations, funding requirements, and cultural traditions.
• Manage program budgets, grants, contracts, reporting requirements, and resource allocation; participate in grant development and funding opportunities to support program sustainability.
• Monitor program effectiveness and ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, ethical standards, confidentiality requirements, and best practices.
• Oversee intake, assessments, investigations, case management, crisis intervention, emergency removals, placements, reunification planning, safety planning, and protective services involving Native American children, youth, families, vulnerable adults, and elders.
• Ensure timely access to culturally appropriate services, placements, resources, and support for children, youth, families, elders, and vulnerable adults.
• Advocate for the rights, safety, well-being, and best interests of Native American children, youth, families, elders, and vulnerable adults.
• Serve as the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) liaison and coordinate services with tribal departments, courts, prosecutors, law enforcement, schools, healthcare providers, behavioral health providers, and community organizations.
• Develop and maintain referral networks and collaborative partnerships to address community needs, service gaps, and program objectives.
• Oversee data collection, outcome tracking, case documentation, and preparation of reports for tribal leadership, funding agencies, and regulatory entities.
• Participate in case reviews, staffing meetings, and complex case consultations to support effective decision-making and culturally responsive, trauma-informed service delivery.
• Represent the Nation at meetings, court proceedings, conferences, training sessions, community events, and interagency collaborations.
• Conduct home visits, community outreach, and public education activities as necessary.

Non-essential Job Functions:

• Attend meetings, seminars, workshops, conferences, and training sessions as required to support professional development and program objectives.
• Provide training and guidance to volunteers, project partners, and new employees as needed.
• Assist with special projects, community initiatives, and outreach activities as assigned.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Job Specifications:

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to think and act quickly, effectively, and responsibly under pressure and in crisis situations.
• Ability to establish and maintain collaborative working relationships with program participants, families, tribal departments, agencies, community partners, and other stakeholders.
• Strong leadership, organizational, interpersonal, communication, case management, and decision-making skills, with the ability to motivate, mentor, train, and develop staff.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care, culturally responsive practices, family systems, child welfare, youth advocacy, and adult protective services.
• Knowledge of the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) and applicable federal, tribal, and state laws and regulations related to child welfare, elder protection, and vulnerable adult services.
• Ability to identify, assess, and respond appropriately to sensitive community, organizational, and client needs.
• Ability to interact professionally and effectively with children, youth, adults, elders, and families from diverse social, cultural, and economic backgrounds.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and exercise sound professional judgment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and case management software.
• Ability to obtain a favorable adjudication certification within 90 days of hire.
• Must successfully pass a tribal background investigation and drug screening.
• Must maintain a valid driver’s license in good standing and qualify under the Quapaw Nation Motor Vehicle Policy.

Experience:

• Minimum of three (3) to five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in child welfare, youth services, adult protective services, social services, or a related field is required.
• Supervisory or management experience, preferably within tribal social services, child welfare, youth advocacy, or adult protective services programs.
• Experience handling confidential information and utilizing case management, data management, and reporting systems is preferred.
• Experience working with Native American communities and knowledge of tribal cultures, traditions, and customs is preferred.

Education:

• High school diploma or equivalent is required.
• Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Human Services, Psychology, Sociology, Criminal Justice, or a related field is required.
• Master’s degree in a related field is preferred.

Physical Abilities:

• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods and perform tasks that require reaching above shoulder level.

• Ability to push, pull, squat, kneel, bend, and safely lift and carry up to 20 pounds.
• Visual acuity sufficient to perform essential job functions, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Working Conditions:

• Work is performed primarily in an office environment with minimal exposure to disagreeable conditions.
• Frequent interaction with clients, families, service providers, and community partners in person, by telephone, and through electronic communication.
• May involve exposure to stressful, emotional, sensitive, or unpredictable situations involving allegations of abuse, neglect, exploitation, crisis intervention, family conflict, or other welfare-related concerns.
• Must maintain professionalism, confidentiality, and cultural sensitivity while working in a diverse environment.
• May occasionally travel for meetings, training, conferences, or other job-related activities.
• May be required to work evenings, weekends, or holidays as needed to support program operations and community needs. 

DISCLAIMERS:

This job description encompasses and describes most but not all tasks and responsibilities of the job. The management reserves the right to change the nature of the job and the job description with or without prior warning, as well as to give special consideration to circumstances related to the essential job functions on a case-by-case basis. The incumbent may be required by the management to perform other duties as assigned.

This job description does not constitute a contract for employment and may be changed at the discretion of the employer. PLEASE NOTE: Hiring preference in the following order will be provided to qualified members of the Quapaw Nation followed by spouse and caregivers of Quapaw Nation members and then other federally recognized tribes. The Quapaw Nation requires a designated candidate to successfully complete a pre-employment drug screen, criminal background check and confirmation of professional references.

The Quapaw Nation will not observe a medical marijuana card for any position deemed safety sensitive in accordance with the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana and Patient Protection Act (Unity Bill).