Indian Child Welfare Caseworker

Description

Job Identification:

Position Summary:

The Indian Child Welfare worker advocates for the best interests of Native American children in the child welfare system by ensuring all actions comply with the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA). This includes supporting family reunification, working with state courts, tribal courts and maintaining cultural ties between children and their tribes. The Indian child welfare caseworker is responsible for protecting the greatest resource, our children. The Indian Child Welfare worker will be expected to respond to referrals and ICWA notices in a timely manner and to engage in ongoing case management for both state and tribal cases. The Indian Child welfare caseworker will serve as ICWA liaison between all agencies or committees and the tribe. An Indian child welfare worker plays a vital role in protecting the rights of Native American children and families involved in child welfare cases. The position ensures compliance with the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) of 1978, which aims to keep Native American children connected to their families, tribes, and cultural heritage.

Essential Job Functions:

 Case Management

• Monitor and manage ICWA cases from intake to case resolution.
• Maintain detailed and accurate case files and documentation.
• Provide case updates to families, tribal officials, and legal parties.
• Actively participate in case reviews.
• Conduct relative searches for children who are in state or tribal custody.
• Develop, organize, and maintain confidential files, prepare, and submit reports in a timely manner, and participate in home studies.
• Provide case management services for child welfare case plans which include but are not limited to child placement activities, preparation for and participation in judicial review, case plan development, placement prevention services, reunification, and aftercare services. 

Advocacy & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with ICWA regulations in state and tribal court proceedings.
• Ensure active efforts are being made by state courts in ICW Cases.
• Attend court hearings, provide testimony, and recommend culturally appropriate services.
• Coordinate with tribal, state, and federal agencies to protect tribal sovereignty.
• Provide timely information regarding available resources and services to Court Administrator and/or Executive Director

 Family Support

• Assist families in accessing services such as counseling, parenting classes, substance abuse treatment, and other resources.
• Work toward family reunification and support kinship or tribal placements when necessary.
• Assist with foster home recruitment & licensing.
• Collaborate and coordinate training activities for foster parents as needed.

  Cultural Preservation

• Promote cultural continuity by maintaining children's ties to their tribes, culture, and community.
• Assist in identifying and supporting culturally appropriate placements.
• Organize community activities promoting healthy families, children, and sense of community well-being.

  Collaboration

• Work closely with tribal leaders, elders, ICWA coordinators, caseworkers, legal counsel, and foster care agencies.
• Help identify qualified expert witnesses in ICWA cases.
• Refer families in need to appropriate service and resource programs and follows up to ensure that services have been delivered in an appropriate and timely manner.
• Provide recommendations to supervisors regarding local services and their availability to improve service delivery on a regular basis.

Other

• Attending meetings, conferences, training, court hearings, etc. which may require travel during weekends, evenings, and holidays.
• Provide accurate statistics and data for yearly reporting for Title IV-B funding
• Other duties assigned by the program director.

Non-essential Job Functions:

• Participate in regular staff meetings and training to maintain up-to-date knowledge of reporting procedures, confidentiality requirements, and cultural responsiveness.
• Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and qualify under the Quapaw Nation’s insurance policy.
• Some travel to various out-of-town meetings and/or training courses may be required

Qualifications

Job Specifications:

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Ability to think and act quickly, effectively, and responsibly under pressure. 
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with program participants. 
• Ability to recognize and identify situations, which have or may become a problem or emergency requiring immediate attention. 
• Ability to influence and motivate others to achieve ambitious outcomes. 
• Ability to communicate well with program participants. 
• Possess excellent communication skills and ability to understand and follow written and oral directions. 
• Knowledge of MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. 
• Identify and respond to sensitive community and organizational issues, concerns and needs. 
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. 
• Maintain confidentiality. 
• Interact with children and adults from diverse social and economic backgrounds. 
• Effectively lead, instruct, and teach both adults and youth.
• Strong knowledge of the Indian Child Welfare Act and tribal sovereignty. 
• Understanding of child development and family dynamics
• Excellent communication, organization, and advocacy skills.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information appropriately.  

Education & Experience:

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, Human Services, Psychology, or a related field (required).
• Master's degree preferred.
• ICWA training or certification preferred or direct ICW experience from a Tribal perspective

Experience

• 1–3 years of experience in child welfare, tribal social services, or related fields.
• Experience working with Native American communities is highly preferred.

Other Requirements

• Must pass background checks and drug screening.
• Willingness to travel as needed.
• Other duties assigned

LICENSING AND CERTIFICATION:

• Valid driver's license

Physical Abilities:

Must be able to sit or stand for prolonged periods of time, as well as regular reach above the shoulders; must be able to push, pull and lift up to and including 10 pounds without experiencing physical discomfort or pain.

Working Conditions:

The work is performed in an office environment with no disagreeable conditions. Candidate must be able to work in a diverse cultural setting due to the sensitive nature of the position.

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 preferences 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).