Out of Home Care Program Specialist (PEI)

COMMITMENT TO EQUITY & INCLUSION

As an employer, we strive to provide a work environment where diversity and differing opinions are valued, creativity is encouraged, continuous learning and improvement are fostered, teamwork and open/honest communication are encouraged, and meeting customers’ needs through quality service is a shared goal.  All employees must be able to demonstrate multicultural competence - the awareness, knowledge, and skills needed to work with others who are culturally different from self in meaningful, relevant, and productive ways. Applicants from traditionally underrepresented populations including women, racial and ethnic minorities, and persons with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply.

DEFINITION

Under the Supervision of the Out of Home Care Supervisor, coordinates, promotes, designs and leads all recruitment, retention, and training related activities for Dane County Department of Human Services (DCDHS) licensed out of home care providers. Maintains budget for foster care recruitment, retention and training activities including grant monitoring and reporting.  Assists with promotional and supportive activities for the Kinship Care program. Acts as DCDHS liaison for statewide Out of Home Care-related meetings and activities.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES   

Coordination of all out of home care provider recruitment including meeting with foster parent applicants, coordinating all recruitment efforts including all outreach, media, print, social media and targeted events.  Lead all retention activities including but not limited to a large provider recognition event annually as well as ongoing retention activities such as individual recognition and newsletter creation and dissemination. Create and coordinate ongoing training opportunities for foster and kin/like-kin families, including working collaboratively with the Coalition of Children Youth and Families to ensure training offerings meet the needs of Dane County providers. Conduct foster parent applicant pre-screening for licensing.  Act as main point of contact for Interstate Compact requests for foster care licensing in Dane County. Maintain Adam Walsh Fingerprint account in accordance with Federal Standards – act as liaison to Federal Bureau of Investigations on this topic. Allocate and manage all aspects of annual expense budget for training and recruitment activities for foster parents. Coordinate distribution of Kinship Care (KC) newsletters, electronically and via post. Assist with KC focused events; Represent Dane County Out of Home Care at State and Regional meetings

Education, Training and Experience:

Any combination of training and experience equivalent to a Bachelors or Master's degree in social work or related human services field OR any combination or training equivalent to a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing, Communications or Public Relations and at least two years’ experience working in a Human Services or closely related not-for-profit setting dedicated to serving children, youth and families especially related to Out of Home Care and Foster Care. 

Certifications/Licenses:

Valid Wisconsin Driver’s license (or eligibility for) and access to personal transportation are required. 

Special Requirements:

Proficiency in Microsoft Suite products including Word, Excel and PowerPoint are required.

Background Check Statement: Some positions may require a criminal background check which can include fingerprinting due to the nature of the job's responsibilities. Wisconsin's Fair Employment Law, s. 111.31 – 111.395, Wis. Stats., prohibits discrimination because of an arrest or conviction record. However, Dane County may disqualify an applicant if the position's responsibilities are substantially related to the applicant's criminal history (e.g., the nature of the crime and its relationship to the position, whether hiring, transferring or promoting an applicant would pose an unreasonable risk to the business, its employees, customers and vendors, etc.) Management reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.

For Bilingual Positions:

1. Provide services in both English and the required foreign language (e.g., Spanish, Arabic, Hmong, etc.). 
2. Applicants being considered for bilingual positions will be tested during the recruitment process prior to employment. This will primarily consist of passing an oral language proficiency assessment from English to foreign language and foreign language to English, but may require additional language testing, such as written translation, if it is an essential function of the job. 

*If applicable, individuals may confirm with the Employee Relations Division whether results of bilingual language certifications/ examinations they currently hold qualify them for the position’s bilingual designation.

Physical and Environmental Work Requirements:
Ability to see and hear within normal ranges with or without adaptive devices. Ability to use finger, wrist, hand and arm motion. Ability to sit and stand. Ability to carry items up to 15lbs. Office environment. Must be available to work evenings or weekends approximately once per month. Occasional out of County travel.

Knowledge of Out of Home Care specifically Foster Care and Kinship Care including licensing requirements and related statutes and Wisconsin administrative codes. Knowledge of recruitment and retention strategies. Knowledge of media outreach, public service announcements and media design. Skills in event planning and organization; participate in program evaluation and review. Ability to utilize data and spreadsheets. Effective oral and written communication skills and organizational skills. Ability to work effectively with multiple disciplines and jurisdictions. Ability to work effectively with diverse populations. Ability to manage multiple assignments. Ability to meet deadlines. Ability to collaborate effectively with other departments and divisions. Ability to think analytically and to creatively problem solve.

Salary : $42 - $55