OKC Foster Care Specialist

Foster Care Specialist Job Description

Purpose: Provide case management, counseling, assessment and supportive services to foster families and foster children. To provide recruitment and retention services to foster families.

Job Responsibilities:

1. Complete home studies, and home study updates for foster families and adoptive families
2. Provide in-home visitation and case management, phone support and crisis management to an assigned caseload of foster families and children.
3. Provide ongoing counseling, case management, support and education for foster care families
4. Participate in foster family support groups and trainings
5. Raise awareness in the faith community about the scriptural mandate regarding foster care and adoption.
6. Provide post adoption and/or post placement support or counseling to foster families
7. Manage and maintain appropriate case files per agency policy
8. Recruit new families for the contract foster care program
9. Assist with event planning and coordination, including fundraisers and workshops
10. Various marketing and PR activities for the agency
11. Some driving required
12. Other tasks as assigned

Wage Classification:

Salaried

Financial Justification for the Position:

The position is funded through the foster care contract. There are sufficient funds for this position from the foster care contract.

Work Hours:

Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., some evenings and weekends for client visits.

Reporting:

This position reports to the Foster Care Program Director.

Desired Character Strengths:

Compassion, Dependability, Discernment, Discretion, Flexibility, Sensitivity, Thoroughness, Sincerity, Justice, Responsibility, Availability, Truthfulness

Education/Training:

Master’s level degree in social work, psychology or a human services related area of study; or

Bachelor’s level degree in sociology, social work, psychology, child development with at least one year of work in the human services field; or Bachelor’s level degree in any field with at least two years of work in the human services field.

Competencies/Requirements:

1. Willingness to agree to and abide by all policies and procedures including OP406 Code of Ethical and Christian Conduct and OP412 Faith Engagement.
2. Strong organizational skills
3. Ability to assess and evaluate family and interpersonal functioning
4. Understanding and knowledge of family and systems theories
5. Ability to work with the team toward a common a goal
6. Ability to use discretion when discussing sensitive or confidential information
7. Excellent interpersonal skills
8. Ability to schedule and multitask
9. Excellent oral and written communication skills
10. Good problem-solving skills
11. Meet requirements of licensing standards in regard to criminal background check.
12. Be physically, mentally and emotionally capable of performing the assigned tasks and have the skills necessary to perform assigned tasks.
13. Valid Oklahoma driver’s license

Experience:

At least one or two years of social work practice experience, depending on educational background.

Physical Requirements:

Ability to sit on the floor, bend and be at ground level with children; ability to drive and travel to meet with families.