Adoption Specialist - Child Welfare

The Adoption Specialist is responsible for implementing case management and service delivery to children eligible for adoption. The objective is to facilitate the placement of a waiting child in the home of an approved adoptive family.

Position Prerequisites

• Bachelor's Degree in a Human Services related field; Master’s Degree in Social Work preferred
• Possess a Child Welfare Certification through the Florida Certification Board (preferred) or obtain certification within one year of employment.
• Florida Driver’s License within 30 days from hire

Responsibilities and Duties

• Participate in continuous and ongoing adoptive family recruitment.
• Participate in circuit and/or statewide initiatives designed to enhance recruitment and retention of adoptive homes.
• Prepare Adoption Home Studies on all perspective adoptive families.
• Participate in adoptive parent preparation groups including Quality Parenting Training.
• Collect information on perspective adoption placements and discuss the needs of the child, barriers, legality of permanency.
• Select and coordinate services and resources necessary to meet the needs of the child to prepare the child for adoption.
• Counsel and prepare the child for adoption.
• Attend Permanency staffings on a quarterly basis for all eligible children.
• Complete Child Studies within 30 days of Children’s Legal Services filing of Termination of Parental Rights Petition.
• Complete and file Post Termination of Parental Rights Case Plan Updates within 30 days of Termination of Parental Rights.
• Prepare for and participate in Judicial Reviews that occur no less than every six months.
• Coordinate and facilitate visitation; to include requests made to other counties for assistance.
• Provide Post-Placement Supervision through monthly home visits.
• Assess the need for services after adoption and arrange for the support that is needed.
• Compile and complete child background studies and ensure that each child has a life book.
• Arrange for medical, mental health, dental and other needed evaluations to ready the child for adoption.
• Plan and prepare for pre-placement visits.
• Provide information and initial screening to adoption inquiries.
• Participate in activities for staff and program.

Skills, Abilities, and Expectations

• Early Childhood/Child Development/Various community resources.
• Planning, organization and time management.
• Oral and written communication.
• Interpersonal relationship building, collaboration and teamwork.
• Computer systems and MS Office, including Word, Excel and Outlook.
• Interact effectively with children and families from diverse backgrounds.
• Set appropriate limits and boundaries with clients; act decisively to protect clients, when necessary.
• Assess and apply proper intervention strategies.
• Identify and understand environmental stressors.
• Recognize importance of social, economic, environmental factors in the development and resolution of personal/family problems.
• Be sensitive to service population’s cultural/socioeconomic characteristics.
• Establish trusting relationships with clients and family members.
• Perform under strong demands in fast-paced, diverse environment.
• Handle confidential information appropriately.
• Perform at a high level of autonomy, with minimal supervision.
• Work on multiple tasks while maintaining a high attention to detail, accuracy and quality.
• Commit to providing high levels of customer satisfaction with positive service delivery results.
• Be energetic, passionate, and adaptable with a deep commitment to social service, empathy for children and families and a positive approach to embracing and managing change.
• Work a standard scheduled week, which may include weekends, holidays and evenings.
• Work flexible hours.
• Provide on-call support when scheduled or to meet business needs.
• Local travel as needed to conduct business related activities

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $45,000.00 - $50,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Experience:

• Child welfare: 1 year (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $45,000 - $50,000