Contact:
Human Resources
4545 Dodge St
Omaha, NE 68132
Fax: 402-898-3250
Foster Care Specialist
Child Saving Institute
Child Saving Institute
Work in Omaha, Nebraska
4545 Dodge Street (68132)
Full Time
Equal Opportunity Employer
Foster Care Specialist
Position Description
Job Purpose:
This position provides support and advocacy for children in out-of-home care, their biological families and the foster family with which they are placed. Responsibilities include interaction with foster and adoptive parents and children and biological parents.
Essential Job Duties:
▪ Provide direct service to children and families involved in foster care and adoption.
▪ Conduct weekly and bi-weekly home visits with children in CSI's foster homes.
▪ Complete psychosocial needs assessments on children being served by CSI's foster care program.
▪ Complete service plans based on needs assessment for children in care.
▪ Conduct monthly team meetings that include biological families and professionals involved in the case.
▪ Complete weekly documentation regarding contact with individuals on assigned cases.
▪ Complete monthly paperwork and submit to case managers by the 10th of each month.
▪ Complete foster care home study updates and foster licensing as assigned; using techniques such as genograms and ecomaps.
▪ Carry a caseload of foster families and children as assigned by supervisor.
▪ Conduct supervised visits as cases allow.
▪ Fill out appropriate tracking databases as required by agency to track Continual Quality Improvement measures.
▪ Participate in foster parent recruitment activities in the Omaha community.
▪ Assist supervisors with placement of children in foster homes when appropriate.
▪ Carry on-call phone on a rotational basis as scheduled during hours that the agency is closed.
▪ Advocate for children in our program which can include court hearings and foster care review board meetings, internal reviews, school meetings, and phone calls with case managers, therapists, support workers, and family members. This ensures communication between all parties for the best interest of the agency's foster children.
▪ Maintain all client files in compliance with guidelines established by the Council on Accreditation and agency policies and procedures.
Other Duties:
▪ Complete other responsibilities as assigned by supervisor.
▪ Complete training necessary to perform position and necessary for professional growth.
▪ Facilitate a team atmosphere by working in partnership with other agency staff.
▪ Promote a positive working environment.
▪ Represent the agency and programs in a positive manner to clients, community organizations and the public in general.
▪ Show flexibility with regard to work schedule (to be determined by supervisor). Evenings and occasional weekends will be required for this position.
Job Requirements:
▪ Bachelors Degree in Social Work or related field and two years Human Services experience preferred. Experience with the adolescent population and general knowledge about child development, as well as child abuse and neglect preferred.
▪ Strong direct service professional skills, including:
o Commitment to empowering others to solve their own problems;
o Belief in a nurturing family as the ideal environment for a person and that people have the capacity to grow and change;
o Ability to develop respectful relationships with persons served to help them gain skills and confidence;
o Ability to work collaboratively with coworkers and other professionals; and
o Ability to maintain a helping role, intervene appropriately to meet service goals and set appropriate limits.
▪ Ability to use both micro and macro level thinking.
▪ Ability to work independently and make appropriate decisions in crisis situations.
▪ Public speaking skills for use in training and presentations preferred.
▪ Ability to interact with clients and staff with sensitivity and responsiveness to cultural and socioeconomic characteristics in the service population.
▪ Ability to be realistic and logical in assisting the client with developing skills as a young child in out-of-home care.
▪ Ability to make logical and sound decisions based on experience and expertise in crisis situations.
▪ Ability to make independent decisions and act accordingly, or with minimal support from supervisor including prioritizing responsibilities on a daily basis knowing that crisis situations can change appointments previously scheduled.
▪ Ability to allow for adjustments from week to week in the number of hours worked.
▪ Own transportation, valid driver’s license with approved driving record, willingness to take a defensive driving course, and insurance that meets agency requirements.
Environment/Physical Requirements:
The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Works in a variety of settings including client homes and offices.
• Hearing and vision within normal range.
• Ability to climb stairs.
• Ability to sit at desk and operate computer.
• Ability to safely drive.
Position requires flexibility in schedule and will require occasional weekend and evening hours.
Foster Care Specialist
This position has been listed under the following classifications: