Job Summary:

To recruit, certify and provide support services to foster homes of tribal children. Develops and implements the foster care program for the CFS Program.

Essential Functions:

• Designs, implements and maintains a comprehensive foster care program, including but not limited to: writing and updating policies and procedures, implementing a quality assurance protocol, developing cooperative relationships with other involved agency, and developing processes and procedures for foster parent training, foster/guardianship/adoptive application processes, and child placement procedures.
• Recruits and certifies prospective foster, guardian and adoptive homes for Tribal children.
• Develops and implements a program recruitment plan.
• Coordinates and facilitates quarterly recruitment activities.
• Guides prospective foster, guardian, and adoptive providers through application process.
• Completes home study, child welfare and criminal background checks prospective providers.
• Determines eligibility for foster care, guardian and adoptive providers.
• Provides support services to Tribal children in foster care and certified foster homes of Tribal children.
• Facilitates monthly payments for maintenance, childcare and respite care for youth in care.
• Applies and monitors compliance for Title IV-E programs.
• Conducts regular home visits and safety inspections of certified foster homes.
• Provides support and advocacy for foster parents for services.
• Develops and monitors annual training plans for certified foster homes.
• Coordinates routine training opportunities for care providers working with CFS, which shall  include cultural and Tribal history
• Explores extended families as priority foster care placement for CFS youth in care.
• Determines suitable out of home placements including family foster care, therapeutic and residential care. 
• Coordinates placement changes when necessary.
• Assures that all benefits currently awarded a child are transferred to the CFS Program when under the guardianship of the CFS Program.
• Coordinates school supplies, clothing vouchers and miscellaneous fees.
• Works with angry or disgruntled clients in a cooperative and effective manner.
• Assists CFS Staff as needed.
• Participates in department meetings.
• Participates in weekly CFS Staff Meetings.
• Attends court proceedings as needed.
• Develops foster parent resources and newsletter.
• Performs a variety of other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Education, Experience, and Licenses:

• Requires an AA/AS degree, preferred Bachelors, in Social Work or closely related field of study and a minimum of two (2) years of experience in Child Welfare, Human Service, Social Service, or closely related field.
• OR an equivalent combination of training and experience.

Driving Requirements:

• Must maintain a valid Oregon driver's license or obtain one upon hire, qualify for the Tribe's vehicle insurance, and provide proof of personal vehicle insurance.

Qualifications, Registrations, and Certifications:

• Requires a working knowledge of the Indian Child Welfare Act.
• Must have ability to communicate effectively, both written and orally.
• Demonstrated skills in handling crisis/hostile environments.
• Requires a First Aid/CPR Certificate.
• Requires knowledge of computers, database programs, copy machine, and fax.
• Must have the ability to perform multiple tasks in a fast-paced and stressful environment.
• Knowledge of and sensitivity to Native American culture required.

Environmental Factors and Conditions/Physical Requirements:

• Continually requires the ability to express or receive detailed information or important instructions through oral communication.
• Continually requires working with fingers rather than the whole hand or arm. Requires repetitive movement of wrists, hands and/or fingers.  Often requires walking or moving about to accomplish tasks.
• Requires standing and/or sitting for sustained periods of time, raising objects from a lower to a higher position and/or moving objects horizontally.
• Occasionally requires lifting of up to 40 pounds.
• Due to the nature of the interactions with other employees and the public we serve, employees may be required to provide documentation of, or receive, certain health vaccinations.
• This position is frequently subject to inside environmental conditions which provide protection from weather conditions, but not necessarily from temperature changes, and is occasionally subject to outside environmental conditions.
• May be called upon to serve as a Disaster Reservist during emergencies.
• Local travel is occasionally required. Travel outside of the state is infrequently required. 

Background Check:

Candidates for this position will be subject to criminal and child welfare   background checks and will be required to submit fingerprints.