Placement Specialist

POSITION OBJECTIVE: . Identify and assess a child’s needs and match them to the most appropriate placement where their needs would be met. This involves an in depth knowledge of available resources as well as the child welfare system, and the aptitude to match a child’s distinctive needs to the least restrictive placement available.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

· Work collaboratively with Child Protective Investigators and assigned case management organizations in completing intake screening for all new children or children requiring replacement. Gather history on child to include but not limited to: Medical, Dental, and Behavioral, Educational, Mental Health, Emotional Health, Trauma history, likes, dislikes, strengths and needs.

· Document all efforts in matching child to most appropriate home. Ensure all facets are considered when deciding on most appropriate placement (IE siblings, child’s home school, removal area, individual needs of child, etc).

· Ensure timely entry, review and tracking of information as inputted into the Placement Module and other required systems such as Florida Safe Families Network (FSFN)

· Work in partnership with licensing team/agencies, and residential providers to secure the most appropriate placement for child in care. This includes utilizing the telephone and email to communicate professionally with providers regarding the needs and strengths of a child.

· Participates, as assigned, in on-call rotation responding to immediate placement needs to include new intakes, as well as emergency situations.

· Participate in daily meetings and staffing’s as assigned to assess the children in need of placement, and begin preplanning for children needing replacement and/or step down.

· Provide placement support and assist in coordination of services to help stabilize placement.

· Performs other duties as assigned.

· Participate in the quality improvement process.

This list of essential functions is not intended to be exhaustive. NWFHN reserves the right to revise this job description as needed to comply with actual job requirements.

QUALIFICATIONS:

REQUIRED:

· A bachelors degree in a related human services field.

· Must be able to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends and holidays.

PREFERRED:

Previous experience in a social services organization

· Child Protection Professional Certification.

· Relevant case management experience and experience with foster care.

· Experience working with special needs children in a child welfare setting.

SKILLS:

· Knowledge of childhood development and related mental health processes.

· Knowledge of child abuse or neglect reporting procedures and methods.

· Knowledge of child and family histories, habits, tendencies, general behaviors, etc.

· Knowledge of agency's organizational structure, standard operating procedures, and policies.

· Ability to establish effective working relationships with clients, co-workers, supervisors and other individuals in a diverse arena.

· Ability to communicate effectively and professionally, verbally and in writing.

· Computer skills to include basic knowledge of FSFN, Outlook, Excel, and Word

· Ability to understand, familiarize and apply guidelines and procedures.

· Ability to work independently and utilize critical thinking skills, as well as initiative to maximize ability in meeting deadlines.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $46,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Evenings as needed
• Weekends as needed

Application Question(s):

• Are you able to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends and holidays?

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

Experience:

• Social Services Organization: 2 years (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• Child Protection Professional Certification (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $46,000