Adoptions Specialist (67285)

Adoptions Specialist

Join our team at FSS and enjoy comprehensive benefits including but not limited to:

• Tuition Reimbursement
• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Well-Being Program
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Bereavement Leave
• 12 Paid Holidays
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Short & Long-Term Disability Coverage
• Employee Discounts
• 401k Plan with 3% Employer Contribution

The mission of Family Support Services is to be the leader in providing safety, stability, and quality of life for all children by working with the community to strengthen the family unit.

Job Summary:

This position is responsible for coordination of adoption activities. The position serves as the technical expert in child welfare adoptions. Also serves as a lead agency liaison for adoption related matters; handling inquiries and/or concerns made to the Lead Agency regarding the adoption process, disseminating adoption as needed to the case management agencies, providing adoption technical assistance, working directly with providers of adoption related services and coordination, review and approval of any adoption subsidy payments that exceed 100% of the foster care board rate. This position also facilitates problem resolution, assists with process information and disseminates resource contact information as needed.

Essential Duties:

• Track, on an on-going basis, all children receiving services, who are permanently committed to the custody of the Department, with a goal of adoption and lead agency outcomes related to adoption finalization, to include stratifying data related to adoption targets/performance by case management agency. 
• Ensure that the lead agency has data to support how well a child is navigating towards adoption to include the child’s status, specific barriers to achieving timely adoption finalization and efforts to effectively address and eliminate barriers. 
• Coordinate with FSS staff and/or community partners directly responsible for adoptive home recruitment and participates directly or indirectly in all activities that promote community awareness of the adoptions program and the need for adoptive families. 
• Assist in developing and maintaining policies and procedures for adoption and related services while maintaining compliance with all child welfare laws, policies and procedures governing adoption and related services. 
• Provide technical assistance and training to all adoption related staff working for the case management providers.   
• Facilitate adoption specific pre-adoptive family training and monthly information meeting. 
• Work collaboratively to plan recruitment events for waiting children.  
• Other duties as needed 

Minimum Qualifications:

Education:

Bachelors degree in social work or related human services field required.

Experience:

Requires a minimum of three years child welfare experience. Preference will be given to staff with 2-year background in child welfare adoptions.

Licensure, Certification, and/or Registration:

Valid drivers license. Current Child Welfare Case Manager Certification.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The qualifications listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Ability to:

• Represent self and the organization in a professional manner
• Work independently with little direct supervision
• Interpret statutes, policies, contracts, and administrative rule requirements as related to program area
• Assess a situation and make appropriate recommendations/decisions
• Research, organize and analyze data
• Solve problems and to think through critical, time sensitive issues
• Maintain a professional working relationship with outside agencies
• Work collaboratively with staff at all levels in the organization
• Follow through on commitments, projects and responsibilities
• Speak effectively before small and large groups
• Calculate figures and amounts
• Maintain confidential information

Knowledge of:

• Florida Statutes, Florida Administrative Rules, and policies that regulate the adoption process

Skills:

• Strong Written and Verbal Communication
• Strong follow-up and follow through
• Strong organizational and time management
• Proficiency in Excel and Microsoft Word

Other Requirements:

• Clear a Level II background screening
• Clear a reference check
• Clear a local background check from the County in which you reside
• Clear a substance abuse screen
• Clear a Motor Vehicles Records check and must be insurable under the company’s automobile policy.
• Provide copy of automobile insurance.
• Provide proof of and maintain a minimum personal auto liability insurance level $100,000/$300,000 if deemed to be a driving risk.
• Clear an E-Verify check to substantiate that the successful candidate meets the Department of Homeland Security authorization requirements to work in the United States (for more information visit www.dhs.gov/e-verify)

FSS is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. FSS is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. If you require a reasonable accommodation in completing an application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to Human Resources at [email protected].