Job Opportunities in United States

APPLY ON OUR WEBSITE: https://www.alaskaadoptionservices.org/employment
JOB SUMMARY: Position works directly within the scope of the OCS/AAS grant for providing family assessments and home studies for the permanent placement of children in the custody of the state of Alaska. This position is also responsible for the delivery of services to pregnant clients, their partners, and/or family including birth options counseling, case management, parenting support, adoption planning, referral and advocacy.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Competencies: Must be able to maintain program/guest/agency confidentiality, and treat each individual with dignity and respect. Ability to set and observe appropriate personal limits and boundaries and be self-motivated. Demonstrates maturity, dependability, creativity, flexibility, and possess strong organizational skills along with excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills. The ability to work independent and also as a team.
Education/Experience: Bachelor’s Degree in social work, counseling or related field. Two years’ experience in the field of child welfare or human services. Knowledge of the legal and emotional issues of adoption and knowledge of the needs and behaviors of children who have experienced abuse and neglect.
Skills: oriented to detail, possess good written and verbal skills, and excellent communication and collaborative abilities.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
Adoption and Guardianship Home Studies for Resource Families Grants:
1. Work within the requirements of the state grant for home studies. Maintain communication with the Regional Permanency Specialists (RPS), individual OCS workers, and home study writers.
2. Receive, assess, and evaluate referrals from the Regional Permanency Specialists for completeness.
3. Conduct pre-study on each family referred to determine the accuracy of referral information.
4. Assign referrals to home study writers in a timely manner, meeting the grant timeline, and maintaining the electronic database.
5. Manage contractor compliance regarding referral assignments to ensure adherence to completion dates. Maintain on-going communications with home study writers to check in with status and identify any barriers to meeting timeline. Request extensions from RPS as needed.
6. Evaluate contractor work to ensure a complete and accurate assessment has been done.
7. Exercise decision making while conducting review/ approval of home studies.
8. Conduct evaluations on contractors every six months.
9. Participate in and facilitate meetings, teleconferences, and workshops related to adoption issues.
Pregnancy Support:
10. Provide birth options counseling to birth families facing an unexpected pregnancy.
11. Assist clients with developing plans for adoption or parenting.
12. Assess client needs and make referrals for medical, financial, vocational, educational and housing.
13. Assist clients with identifying resources and assistance to help them parent.
14. Support birth parents in process of selection of adoptive family.
15. Travel as needed to other areas of the state to provide adoption services to pregnant women and to facilitate travel for babies being placed for adoption.
16. Be knowledgeable of and familiar with current federal and state adoption regulations and laws particularly in area of Native and non-Native relinquishment.
17. Collect information necessary for obtaining certificates of Indian Blood, social security numbers, Denali Kidcare.
18. Be available/flexible to provide pregnancy support to birth families on weekends/weeknights when needed and utilize agency cell phone.
General:
19. Advocate for the agency's open adoption philosophy.
20. Support program/agency fund-raising activities.
21. Maintain client files including case notes, and documents in the agency electronic database.
22. Must have valid AK driver's license and ability to drive clients or do agency errands.
23. Support families who are seeking home study services outside of programs.
24. Other duties as assigned.
Training Requirements: Agency and department orientation; First aid/CPR; de-escalation techniques; blood borne pathogens and any other updated training, as required. Attend all staff meetings and in service training as required.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities as needed.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $26.67 - $31.38 per hour
Expected hours: 40 per week
Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

Experience:

• Social Services/Child Welfare: 2 years (Required)

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Anchorage, AK 99503: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person