Foster Care Recruitment and Engagement Specialist
hace 22 días
Buffalo
Job Description Program Summary: Child and Family Services (C+FS) Foster Care Program provides temporary, safe, and loving homes for children and supports parents/caregivers in developing the skills they need to achieve family reunification. When reunification is not possible, our program helps secure permanency through adoption. This program plays an essential role in our agency’s 150+ year mission of nurturing a healthier and more equitable Western New York. Major Responsibilities: • Respond to inquiries and conduct initial assessments of prospective foster parents, • Actively recruit foster parents through a variety of community engagement and outreach strategies including attendance at community events that may occur during evenings and weekends, • Coordinate and conduct informational meetings (individual and group), • Facilitate and coordinate initial and ongoing foster parent training sessions, • Become an approved National Training and Development Curriculum (NTDC) trainer within 12 months of hire, • Complete timely home study assessments and certification documentation, • Maintain accurate training and certification records for all foster homes, • Planning and delivery of foster parent appreciation and engagement events, • Maintain open communication with foster families, colleagues, and county partners, • Use required database[s] and other communications protocols to share information with the team and to document foster home openings, reauthorizations, and closures Shift Information: Requires the ability to accommodate a flexible schedule that includes both traditional business hours and regular evenings. May occasionally work on the weekend for recruitment events. Minimum Requirements: • Bachelor’s degree in social work or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience., • At least two years of child welfare experience; direct foster care experience preferred, • Valid New York State driver’s license and insurance required, • Must have reliable transportation for frequent travel throughout Western New York, primarily Erie County., • Must be available to work a flexible schedule that includes regular evening hours for home visits and community events and participation in the program’s telephonic on call rotation, • Possess strong computer/technology skills, attention to detail, and organization, • Possesses a calm, compassionate demeanor in person and on virtual platforms and telephone, • Demonstrated commitment to family-centered, trauma-informed care, • Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to build positive relationships with foster parents, program staff, and external healthcare providers., • Team player mindset with a commitment to working collaboratively within the Foster Care program and across agency departments. Physical Requirements • Must be able to lift and carry small children in and out of transport vehicles, • Must be able to drive in transport vehicles for extended periods of time, • Standing, walking, climbing and occasional lifting of 30 pounds, • Must be able to walk and move easily to physically supervise visits in the community, • Must be able to access multi-level buildings including multi-level homes, • May be required to lift up to 30lbs when transporting children (infrequent), • Frequently move about inside and outside the office in reaction to situations and duties., • Must be able to remain stationary (at the desk) for extended periods of time, • Frequently communicate accurate information with coworkers, Agency staff, & candidates for employment., • Operate a computer & other office machinery, such as a copy machine, printer and phone system. Attributes That May Make You a Great Fit: • Believe that foster care is a temporary arrangement meant to support children while their families work toward reunification., • Recognize that foster parents play a key role in ensuring children's health and well-being., • Are passionate about advocating for vulnerable children and ensuring they receive the best possible medical care. Competitive Pay Rate of $23-$25 per hour based on education and experience. Based on a 37.5 hours work week. C+FS offers full-time employees the below benefits to support our employees and their families and help to create a healthy work environment. • Employer Paid Life Insurance, • Medical, Two Plan Options, • Dental, Two Plan Options, • Vision Insurance, • Wellness Program and Incentives, • Health Savings Account (HSA) and Quarterly Employer-Contributions, • Healthcare Flexible Spending Account (FSA), • Dependent Care FSA Retirement, • Employee Referral Bonus, • Qualifying Employer for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF), • 403(b) Right Away and Employer-Contributions After Two Years Child and Family Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Child + Family Services provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran or familial status, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Child + Family Services complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer leaves of absence, compensation, and training.