Wendy's Wonderful Kids Social Worker

DEPARTMENT: Family Services
POSITION TITLE: Wendy’s Wonderful Kids Adoption Recruiter
RESPONSIBLE TO: Director of Family Services
GRADE: Exempt
EMPLOYEE STATUS: Full time
The Wendy’s Wonderful Kids (WWK) Adoption Recruiter/Social Worker position is funded through a grant from the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption (DTFA). The recruiter will connect youth who wait for permanent homes with families who wish to adopt by implementing an evidence-based child-focused recruitment model to match and support services for a caseload of 12-25 youth. The recruiter will also be responsible for building relationships within the community and raising awareness and education about foster care and adoption. Although the recruiter must be self-sufficient in their own area, they must also consider themselves to be an integral member of St. John’s United and represent professional standards, organizational mission and agency goals. This positon requires travel throughout Montana and must be permanently located in-state.
Major Duties:
• Work in partnership with DPHHS staff to identify youth for referrals to the WWK program.
• Review the case record, interview the youth, social worker & others with knowledge of the case and any available family members and/or other supportive connections to assist in the recruitment process.
• Utilize internet search tools to identify and locate resources within the youth’s network.
• Develop an initial written adoption readiness assessment and create child focused recruitment plan for the youth.
• Meet with the youth on a monthly basis.
• Communicate with the social worker on a monthly basis to review the progress of the recruitment plan.
• Meet with family members and supportive connections to discuss the progress of locating permanent resources for the youth.
• Once matched, work with the DPHHS staff, youth and the adoptive resource to ensure preplacement visits are implemented.
• Assist with the development and coordination of the transition plan with the youth and matched family. Work with the youth and family during the transition process to assist with placement support.
• Work in conjunction with involved professionals to ensure that the adoptive family is working towards adoption finalization.
• Following DTFA requirements, Recruiter is responsible for submitting monthly data regarding caseload, quarterly assessments of youth’s readiness for adoption and recruitment plans, yearly grant renewals and bi-annual reports
• Submit monthly data in the WWK database.
Skills & Education required:
• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in human services field and experience in direct client counselling services, Bachelors of Social Work preferred
• Experience in the adoption and/or child welfare field
• Commitment to work from a strength-based and/or youth development perspective
• Demonstrated ability to organize and manage multiple project and cultivate relationships
• Ability to write clearly and accurately at a professional level and to provide reports in a timely manner
• Computer literacy and efficiency with MS Office software
• Ability to project a professional, self-confident and compassionate image through appearance, conduct and conversation
• The ability to relate well to clients of differing lifestyles, beliefs and circumstances
• Ability and willingness to travel with flexibility to work evenings and occasional weekends
• A valid MT driver’s license, a safe driving record and access to a vehicle for long distance travel
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTION: Safety
• Obeys safety rules of St. John’s United
• Identifies, reports, and/or corrects obvious safety hazards
• Attends mandatory safety in-services
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTION: Mission/Customer Service
• Follows the St. John’s Guidelines for Customer Service
o Let the Mission be your guide
o Make eye contact and smile
o Greet & welcome each & every person
o Seek out personal contact
o Provide immediate service-listen & act
o Use appropriate body language at all times
o Be gracious to each & every person
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTION: Employee Responsibilities
• Follows policy and procedures on TB testing & influenza vaccinations
• Attends all mandatory in-services