Waiting Child/Licensing Specialist

Description

 Join a dynamic, fast-paced, inclusive and supportive workplace focused on high quality services to children and families in our community.
Salary: $43,680 per year
Supportive Workplace 

Excellent Benefits

• Among the highest compensation of any agency in the area
• All staff paid hourly/overtime work receives overtime pay
• Training hours paid
• Additional $40/day for on-call duties
• Flexible workplace, hybrid remote/in-office duties after successful orientation period
• Comprehensive medical/vision; employee pays 20% of the premium monthly plus additional for spouse/dependents
• Dental benefits with employer contribution
• 11 paid holidays plus an extra day for your birthday and a floating holiday
• 14 - 24 paid days off, depending on length of service
• Mileage reimbursed at .655 cents
• Monthly phone stipend of $40
• 403(b) retirement plan with profit sharing contributions
• Cost of living pay increases annually; merit increases at time of evaluation
• Annual bonuses to staff as finances allow
• Short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance premiums paid in full by employer
• Employee assistance program

Your Development

· Licensure supervision for social workers

· Opportunities for growth and professional development, including between $500 - $1,000 reimbursement for training/CEU’s/tuition costs related to position

· Employer-provided monthly reflective supervision to support the complex needs of social services staff and supervisors in their work with children and families

Our Values

· Commitment to staff and clients of all backgrounds and identities 

· Emphasis on positive workplace culture and teamwork

· Ethical, non-coercive practices in adoption· Vocal advocates for social and political change benefiting children and families

· Recognized since 2011 by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s All Children, All Families program for supporting LGBTQ+ youth and families
Job Details

Hands Across The Water is a licensed, non-profit child placing agency.  The Waiting Child Adoption/Licensing Specialist is responsible for the assessment of families for foster home licensure and adoption who have applied to Hands Across The Water’s Waiting Child Adoption Program and for ensuring compliance of said families with the applicable provisions of all governing rules. The Waiting Child Adoption/Licensing Specialist will also provide education, assessment, resources and support for assigned families beginning at the time of orientation, through the inquiry and matching processes with youth in need of placement, and ultimately through placement, supervision and adoption finalization. This position will maintain a caseload of families at different stages of licensure and adoptive assessment.

The Waiting Child Adoption/Licensing Specialist is also responsible to participate in agency foster parent recruitment and retention activities and foster parent orientations/trainings as needed. Additionally, the Waiting Child Adoption/Licensing Specialist is responsible for facilitating the monthly, scheduled Waiting Child Adoption Meeting for prospective adoptive parents. This position requires travel including in-office, in-home, and outside of office work, sometimes during non-traditional hours such as evenings and weekends. As such, this position may be eligible for some remote office hours, depending on case location, needs of the Program and agency.   

Hands Across The Water does not discriminate against an employee or applicant for employment with respect to hire, tenure, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment, or a matter directly or indirectly related to employment, because of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, height, weight, marital status, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, political beliefs or mental or physical disability. 

Requirements

A minimum of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in a human behavioral science or related field is required. Experience in a professional setting with youth and families is strongly preferred. Strong written and oral communication skills, professionalism, organizational skills and comfort with computer technology/database entry is required.

Appropriate candidate for this position must have the ability to handle stress well, have the ability to be an active listener with good clinical observation and evaluation skills, be flexible and able to handle change, make complex and often unpopular decisions focused on child’s safety and long-term well-being. The Waiting Child Adoption/Licensing Specialist will be a team player yet able to work independently, able to multi-task, and maintain case responsibility and follow-through with multiple competing demands and strict timelines. Waiting Child Adoption/Licensing Specialist will demonstrate a commitment to the training, preparation and support of foster and adoptive families and a commitment to the belief that all children deserve safe and loving homes, prepared to meet their unique needs and lifelong family connections. Knowledge of child welfare and the adoption process and available supportive resources for youth and families in Michigan is preferred. 

Candidate may not have been convicted of child abuse or neglect, a felony involving harm or threatened harm to an individual within the 10 years immediately preceding the date of hire, or be listed on the central registry as a perpetrator of child abuse or child neglect. The Waiting Child Adoption/Licensing Specialist shall possess a valid Driver’s License, positive driving record and proof of automobile insurance.