Area Development Manager

Job Summary

The Area Development Manager is a dynamic, community-based role focused on recruiting and developing foster homes and engaging community stakeholders to grow Pathways’ impact in Central Texas. The position combines strategic recruitment, home development, and community engagement responsibilities to ensure consistent growth in licensed foster and kinship homes. The ideal candidate is a self-starter who thrives on relationship-building, has strong organizational skills, and is motivated by meaningful metrics and outcomes.

Essential Duties:

Recruitment & Community Engagement

• Coordinate and participate in recruitment events, DFPS/SSCC outreach activities, and community fairs to raise awareness and bring in prospective foster families.
• Identify, engage, and maintain relationships with civic groups, churches, businesses, and other community stakeholders to support outreach, foster home development, and volunteer initiatives.
• Work closely with the Communications and Development teams to create marketing materials and organize open houses, info sessions, and appreciation events for foster parents and prospects.
• Represent Pathways in the community to strengthen brand awareness and develop partnerships that enhance recruitment and support operations across CPA and GRO programs.

Applicant Support & Home Development

• Respond to inquiries within 48 hours and maintain accurate records of applicants, including timely discharge of inactive inquiries.
• Provide ongoing support and guidance to prospective foster families from inquiry through home verification.
• Facilitate orientation and training using in-person, online, and virtual formats.
• Conduct initial and final home walkthroughs and assess readiness for the home study process.
• Track onboarding progress to ensure timeliness, compliance, and accuracy of required documentation.
• Coordinate with Home Study Writers and internal leadership to verify homes.
• Review and approve Home Studies and work closely with home study writers to ensure compliance and overall safety of the home.
• Recommend families for verification and document the process in Extended Reach and CLASS.
• Ensure all pre-verification and DFPS compliance requirements are met, including assessment of overall safety of the home.

Program Collaboration & Quality

• Maintain open communication with the Director of Family Development and Child Placing Agency Regional Director and other team members regarding trends, performance metrics, and applicant statuses.
• Participate in staff meetings, strategic planning, and ongoing quality assurance activities.
• Build and maintain working relationships with DFPS, SSCCs, and other relevant partners in the foster care ecosystem.
• Assist with resolving concerns or potential issues with applicants or support providers.

Supervisor: Director of Family Development.

Supervises: Home Developer.

Work Hours: Full-time, flexible schedule working a minimum of 40 hours per week (including late hours and/or weekends as needed).

Classification: Exempt.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required with relevant experience.
• 3 years of experience in a child-placing agency or related role.
• Background in foster care recruitment, training, or community engagement highly preferred.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Clear understanding of foster care regulations and home development processes.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple relationships and track applicant progress across systems.
• Technologically proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and client management software (Extended Reach).
• High degree of organization, accountability, and self-motivation.
• Ability to organize a daily workload by priorities.
• Ability to support the agency’s culture, growth, and success through communication, accountability, and positivity.
• Ability to work efficiently and effectively both individually and as part of a team.
• Ability to appropriately accept feedback through the supervision process.
• Possess a willingness to learn, grow, and improve.
• Outstanding organizational and time management skills.

Additional Requirements

• Proof of valid Texas Driver’s License (Type C) with at least three hours of driving experience.
• Access to reliable transportation.
• Proof of valid/current auto insurance.
• Cleared motor vehicle driving record.
• Three employment references.
• Cleared background check and signed affidavit.
• Cleared tuberculosis (TB) test results (current within 12 months prior to employment).
• Cleared drug test.
• Working cellular telephone at all times.

Physical & Mental Demands

With or without reasonable accommodation, the physical and mental requirements of this job include the following: frequent seeing, hearing, and reading, speaking, and writing clearly. Use of a computer for long hours. Frequent sitting, manual dexterity. Occasional lifting and moving of up to 25 pounds, reaching with hands and arms, stooping and kneeling. Ability to review data and format into meaningful reports. Ability to meet deadlines.