Social Worker III - Foster Care

Sign On Bonus and Retention Bonus

A $2000, $3000, or $4000 sign-on bonus is available depending on the position and qualifications of the selected individual.

The foster care social worker provides specific services to children and their parents/guardians/caretakers when children are removed due to substantiated abuse, neglect, or dependency. The worker offers counseling and case management services and assists families with accessing community-based support to learn more appropriate behaviors, find safer housing, and make better decisions regarding the child's care and discipline. The goal is to establish a safe, permanent home for maltreated children.

On‑call duties are a part of this position.

• Analyze situations after child removal and determine appropriate courses of action immediately.
• Assist families in identifying and accessing community‑based support to cope with difficult situations and resolve family problems.
• Conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the family's strengths and needs and ensure that all service providers and the family work toward a permanent plan.
• In cases where the permanent plan is not reunification, identify an appropriate alternative permanent plan for the child.
• In cases where adoption is the permanent plan, be familiar with the adoption process and prepare the child for the termination of parental rights (TPR) process.
• Create thorough documentation in accordance with current policy—including all contacts with children, parents, placement providers, and collaterals such as extended family, neighbors, school personnel, medical personnel, and mental health professionals.
• Complete assessments, visitation reports, and case planning tools as required by current policy (strengths and needs, risk reassessments, out of home case plans, well‑being needs, PPAT reviews, monthly case‑worker visits, etc.).
• Maintain and compile data and prepare statistical reports in accordance with established policy and guidance.
• Provide vital information and recommendations to the court, both verbally and in writing, regarding the child and family’s needs in accordance with the child’s permanent plan through court reports and sworn testimony.
• Ensure safety considerations for the child when making decisions and recommendations, applying Child Placement policy and meeting state and federal timelines for permanent plans and court reviews.
• Represent the agency in termination of parental rights hearings and may be called to testify in delinquency and commitment hearings.
• Serve as a member of the Permanency Planning Action Team (PPAT), assessing child and family situations and making recommendations such as services for families, changes to permanent plans.
• When assigned, complete home studies requested by other state/county authorities, conduct background checks, and make recommendations regarding placement suitability.

Master's degree in social work from an accredited school of social work;
Bachelor's degree in social work from an accredited school of social work and completion of the Child Welfare Collaborative (for Child Welfare positions only);
Bachelor's degree in social work from an accredited school of social work and one year directly related experience;
Master's degree in counseling or human services field and one year of social work or counseling experience;
Bachelor's degree in a human services field from an accredited college or university and two years directly related experience;
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and three years of directly related experience.

• Directly related experience is defined as human services experience in the areas of case management, assessment and referral, supportive counseling, intervention, psycho‑social therapy and treatment planning. Transcripts must be attached with the application.