Recruitment and Retention Specialist - Canton

Description

Summary/Objective:

As a CHJC employee, the Foster Care Recruitment and Retention Specialist is committed to creating opportunities to enhance lives one relationship at a time. Additionally, the Foster Care Recruitment and Retention Specialist will put a focus and emphasis on the following values: safety and permanency for each client served, respect and compassion at the forefront of every interaction, integrity threaded through every decision made, excellence as an expectation and standard that will never be lowered, and stewardship carried out for the benefit of our clients and community. The Recruitment and Retention Specialist is responsible for the recruitment and retention of Foster Parents. Additionally, they are responsible for the training, certification, and recertification of foster homes.

Essential Functions:

1. Responsible for overall Foster Parent recruitment and activities associated with CHJC’s Recruitment Plan
2. Partners with local media stations to ensure creative recruitment efforts
3. To assist with retention, provides through training, guidance and support to Foster Parents
4. Interview and address questions or concerns of any Prospective Foster Parent
5. Maintain correspondence and ensure follow-up is conducted on all inquiries
6. Mail application acceptance letters to Prospective Foster Parents
7. Facilitate required Foster Parent Training
8. Ensures all Prospective Foster Parents and transfers attend and complete required training
9. Schedules and coordinates in-service training for certified families
10. Participates and attends agency recruitment, fundraising and training events as requested by CHJC (These events may not be during normal business hours)
11. Become thoroughly familiar with and keep abreast of pertinent NYS Office of Children and Families Services Regulations
12. Facilitates NYS Child Abuse and Central Registry Clearances and reference checks for all Foster Parent applicants
13. Facilitates the clearance and fingerprinting process for all Prospective Foster Parents
14. Conducts home consultations and prepares written homestudies on all Prospective Foster Parents
15. Provides on-going written and verbal notification to each certified Foster Family as needed
16. Inspects Foster Homes to ensure safety and compliance: Maintain familiarity with Social Services Laws and Regulations in addition to assuring compliance
17. Provide thorough documentation in regard to all activities to include but not limited to: face to face contacts, phone calls, Case Conferences, Court Appearances, visitation, noted incidents, home inspections, Safety Plans, etc. 
18. Maintain complete and organized case files in accordance with OCFS and CHJC Policies
19. Handles other duties as assigned 

Special Requirements:

Work Environment: Office environment will require occasional travel to recruitment events, local schools, conferences and/or meetings and travel within the community to include off-site/remote. Works in an office setting with a controlled temperature environment. Occasional exposure to inclement weather conditions may occur depending upon assignments.  

Equipment: This position is required to maintain a working knowledge of related office equipment including personal computers and printers, audio-visual equipment, telephone systems, copiers, fax machines, etc.

Physical Demands: Must be able to sit, stand, walk, lift, carry, push/pull, climb, bend, and stoop. Must be able to perform fine motor skills, read, and type. Must be able to sit for long periods of time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

Full-time, traditional hours required along with non-traditional hours. This position is required to work on-site, and offsite/remote. 

Travel:

Travel is required throughout service area (Jefferson, Lewis, Oswego, and St. Lawerence County).

Required Education and Experience:

Two years experience working with youth at risk. Familiar with the Family Court, Department of Social Services, and Probation Department. Bachelors Degree in a Human Service field or related field, preferred.     

Requirements

Skills/Abilities/Knowledge:

Strong organizational abilities and office skills are essential for this position. This person must also have excellent people skills and be a team player. Ability to work with diverse populations. Must demonstrate effective and excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to work cooperatively with others. Must be detail-oriented and possess excellent time-management skills. Requires self-direction, tact, diplomacy, and the ability to be clear, courteous, and professional. Able to react to change productively and handle other duties as assigned.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications:

Successful completion of routine pre-employment requirements as mandated by the New York State Department of Health, Office of Mental Health and Office of Children and Family Services along with ongoing clearances and exclusion checks. These requirements are to include employment health requirements, Covid-19 vaccination or exemption, reference checks, criminal background checks/fingerprinting, State Central Registry clearance and your eligibility to work in the United States. A Valid NYS (New York State) driver’s license required. Mandated Reporter Certification and Corporate Compliance Training will be required following date of hire. Will attend Train the Trainer training and become a NTDC Facilitator and be responsible for maintaining that certification.