Caseworker

This position organizationally falls under the Indian Child Welfare Department as operated by the Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma. Operational hours are generally Monday through Friday 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M., however this position is a high level and demanding position, which includes but is not limited to this individual being on-call 24 hours a day including holidays, etc. This position is established to recruit and approve foster and adoptive Tribal homes for those children requiring out-of-home placement. Maintain the safety of those children in out-of-home placement, support families preparing to reunify or adopt and assist families in obtaining services and other support necessary to address their needs in a culturally sensitive manner. Will work directly with the children, their families, and other relevant individuals and be primarily responsible for the development, implementation, and review of service plans for the children and their families.

Essential Duties, Functions, and Responsibilities

Tasks are as follows, but not limited to:

• Visit interested homes and complete home studies on prospective foster and adoptive Tribal homes.
• Independently works with and counsel’s families in the formation and implementation of service plans to reduce child abuse or neglect within the family. Participates in planning and evaluating child abuse and neglect programs, foster care, and adoption.
• Provides written reports and makes recommendations regarding removal, visitations, reunification, etc. to the court.
• Supervise visits as ordered by the Tribal Nation District Court.
• Completed DHS paperwork to show change of custody when cases are transferred to Tribal court.
• Maintain confidential records and stay compliant with IVE regulations to receive foster care subsidy payments.
• Visit children in tribal custody on at least a monthly basis and document each visit, as required by IV-E regulations.
• Be on call 24/7 and provide some services after hours and/or on weekends.
• Transport children to foster care placements, medical appointments, visitations, inc.
• The incumbent must be flexible in order to undertake a variety of miscellaneous duties as assigned by the supervisor or team leader.
• Provided case management to youth who have been placed in foster care.
• Facilitated treatment team meetings, participate in Assessment Team meetings, Family Partnership Meetings.
• Build trusting relationships with the children in their care, many of whom have been victims of abuse.
• Serve as a liaison between the child, their family, and their foster families
• Outline the child’s foster care goals and monitor the child’s academic performance
• Place children in permanent foster care homes or find permanent placement with an adoptive family.
• Assist in securing birth, death, marriage certificates and other required documentation to facilitate filing of the adoption.
• Intervene with the courts, pre-adoptive parents, adoption attorneys, ACS subsidy unit or any other entity that would unnecessarily delay or impede the finalization of an adoption.
• Conduct home studies for initially approved families according to agency expectations and procedures.
• Conduct home visits as part of helping the child’s birth parents achieve the requirements for reunification.

Work Environment

Ability to work under pressure and maintain personal composure evaluates situations and act/react appropriately, use tact in dealing with Parents, Relatives, Children, Staff, Court/Agency Personnel, and tribal members in difficult situations. Excellent management skills are essential.

The work environment characteristics described herein are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the primary functions of this job as an advocate in a tribal office setting with programs and services normally associated. Normal office conditions exist as do conditions with other associated programs and services; Noise levels, stress, tribal members/visitors flow will vary but may be considered high. Administrative workload will be managed with additional hours required.

The physical demands described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the primary functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to frequently stand, walk, sit, bend, twist, talk and hear/listen. There are prolonged periods of sitting, keyboarding, reading as well as standing. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to fifty (50) pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include reading, distance and computer and color vision. Talking and hearing/listening are essential to communicate with tribal members/clients/staff and peers.

There are constant deadlines associated with this position. The employee must be able to multi-task and interact with a wide variety of people at various times and on complicated and diverse issues.

Must be able to always maintain a professional demeanor and on any occasion wherein representing the Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma.

Environmental: Performance of essential functions may require exposure to adverse environmental conditions, such as traffic hazards, home visits, violent individuals, communicable diseases, or rude/irate customer.

Indian Preference

The Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma is committed to Equal Employment without regard to race, religion, color, gender, national origin, age, disability or sexual orientation. However, in accordance with the Indian Preference Act (Title 25 U.S. Code 472 and 473) preference in filling vacancies are given to qualified Indian candidates.

AT-Will Employer

In reference to Personnel Policy, Section 1-24, Employment At-Will. All employees who do not have a written contract with the employer for a specific fixed term of employment are thereby employed at the will of the employer for an indefinite period. Employment with the Kickapoo Tribe, without a written contract, is voluntary and therefore employees are free to resign at any time with or without cause or reason. Likewise, the Tribe may terminate the employment relationship at any time with or without notice and for any lawful reason deemed appropriate by the Tribe for good cause, bad cause, or no cause at all. This policy is commonly referred to as “employment-at-will.”

Minimum Mandatory Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• Education: Bachelor’s or master’s Degree preferred in social work, psychology, sociology, or education.
• Skills: Two (2) years’ experience working with children, parents and/or families and one (1) year of experience conducting interviews/investigations. All applicants should be current with Microsoft Windows and general computer knowledge. Must possess the ability to work effectively with appropriate communication skills both written and orally. Must be able to maintain a high level of confidentiality.
• Requirements: Must have a valid Oklahoma Driver’s License, pass a drug screening test, and complete an OSBI background investigation as well as extensive background check. English language is a necessity, and Kickapoo language is a plus. Successful candidates will need to understand the importance of the Kickapoo Tribe’s culture, traditions, as well as the language. Must not be an Indian Child Welfare client nor have previous and/or have current child welfare history.
• Equivalent combinations of education and experience that provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities will be evaluated on an individual basis.

Additional Qualifications

• Human Services – Thorough knowledge of social work principles and practices including federal, state, and local regulations affecting human service programs. Must be knowledgeable of programs, social economic trends and behaviors that impact the delivery of human services.

· Child Protective Services - Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of crisis intervention methods, counseling techniques, and support services to resistant clients, sufficient to ensure protection of children and adults. Thorough knowledge of state and local policies, laws, policies and procedures, and regulations related to adult and child protective services, foster care and adoption. Knowledge of the principles and techniques of intervention and treatment plans.

· Case Management – Thorough knowledge of case management techniques, principles, and practices to evaluate and coordinate the delivery of public assistance to customers and their families.

• Customer Service — Considerable knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer service. This includes setting and meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
• Ethics - Treats people with respect; keeps commitments; inspires the trust of others; works

with integrity, Upholds organizational values.

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Critical Thinking – Using logic and reasoning to understand, analyze, and assess client’s strengths, weaknesses and needs and make and act upon decisions
• Judgment/Decision Making — evaluates the best method of research and then exercises appropriate judgment in establishing priorities and resolving complex matters. Consider the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
• Interpersonal Relationships – Develops and maintains cooperative and professional relationships with employees, managers, and representatives from other departments, and organizations.
• Computer Skills – Utilizes a personal computer with word processing, spreadsheet and related software with reasonable speed and accuracy.

REQUIRED ABILITIES

· Time Management – Ability to plan and organize daily work routine and caseloads. Establish priorities for the completion of work in accordance with sound time-management methodology to meet strict deadlines.

• Communication – Excellent ability to communicate complex ideas and proposals effectively so others will understand to include preparation of reports, agendas, and policies. Ability to present ideas, information, and opinions in a written format in order to prepare court reports, service plans, case narratives and correspondence. Ability to develop and conduct training presentations on a variety of policy and programs through presentations.

Performance Expectations

In performance of their respective tasks and duties all employees of the Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma are expected to conform to the following:

• Fully uphold all principles of confidential and patient care
• Adherent to all professional and ethical behavior standards of the healthcare and social services industry, must be compliant with the personnel policies.
• Interact in an honest, trustworthy, and dependable manner with co-workers/clients.
• Must be culturally sensitive and respectful of the beliefs and traditions of the Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma
• Meet or exceed the performance standards set by organization
• Work independently and as a team member; consistently demonstrating professionalism, courtesy, efficiency, excellent internal and external customer service, high ethical standards and behavior that contribute to harmonious relationships.
• Uphold the Policy and Procedures of the Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma and associated programs services and the Kickapoo Tribe Employee Policy and Procedures.
• To report and document accidents/injuries immediately to supervisor
• Maintain high standards of personal appearance and grooming
• Attends all scheduled employee meetings/trainings and brings suggestions for improvement