Social Service Specialist - Adoption

Job Opportunity

This opportunity is a position within the Adoption Unit of MS Department of Child Protection Services. The Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services (MDCPS) is committed to protecting and nurturing Mississippi's at-risk children and families.

About the Position

Create and maintain case files for children in care; document in MDCPS online database program;
Visit children in care in foster homes, facilities and hospitals;
Complete investigations of abuse, neglect for exploitation;
Complete ongoing safety and risk assessments;
Participate in scheduled county conferences/meetings for assigned children-in-care;
Make referrals for children-in-care to receive services including dental, vision and medical;
Transport children-in-care to appointments and destinations;
Arrange for visitation with siblings and parents;
Assist with new hires by being "shadow buddies";
On-call for after-hours situation (rotating responsibility with other staff members);
Attend court for hearings;
Communicate with families, service providers, parents, foster parents and the public;
Schedule and attend Family Team Meetings. Along with other duties.

This consists of 4 weeks (every other week) of on-site training and 4 weeks of On-The-Job Training, and must pass a comprehensive test prior to continued employment and/or advancement. MUST HAVE VALID DRIVER'S LICENSE AND INSURANCE. RELIABLE TRANSPORTATION

What you'll need to be Successful

Professional commitment to and caring about clients and the larger profession of child welfare. Personal resilience and strong self-efficacy beliefs about the ability to work with clients to produce positive client outcomes. Efficient organizational and time management skills. Good oral and written communication skills. Positive work morale. Ability to be flexible in thinking and problem solving. Realistic expectations about the difficulty and challenges of the work.

Ability to handle an often-unpredictable work environment Preferred Qualifications Typically requires a Bachelor's Degree and 3-5 years of experience. Appointing authority may require social worker's license.