Wendy's Kids Family Connection Specialist

Make your next career move count. Hope for Youth is seeking dedicated, driven individuals who are committed to supporting youth and families through high-quality services. If you're looking for a rewarding role in a mission-focused organization, we'd love to meet you.

Hope for Youth is looking for a Full-Time Family Connection Specialist. Are you a passionate, mission-driven professional looking to change lives? At Hope For Youth, we believe every child deserves a permanent, loving home. Through the Wendy's Wonderful Kids program, we use an evidence-based Child-Focused Recruitment Model to help children in foster care-especially those most at risk of aging out-connect with adoptive families.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of 12-15 youth in active recruitment status requiring monthly in-person visits.
• Develop individualized recruitment plans to help each child find a forever family using diligent searches for potential adoptive families.
• Collaborate with local DSS staff, caseworkers, therapists, and adoptive families to advocate for each child's needs.
• Split time between the County DSS office, our Amityville main office, and the community with a flexible schedule.
• Maintain accurate case records and reports using our database system.
• Attend educational opportunities provided by HFY and DTFA, including, but not limited to: classroom training, online modules, database training, webinars, and must be available to attend the Annual WWK Summit held in Ohio (all expenses paid)
• Perform other resulting and necessary work to meet the needs and requirements of the clients, the program, Hope for Youth, oversight agency and any other regulatory obligations

To qualify for this job, you need to be or have a minimum:

• Bachelor's degree in Social Work or a related human services field
• 2-4 years of experience in child welfare, preferably in adoption or foster care.
• Valid NYS driver's license in good standing and access to a reliable vehicle for visits.
• Strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills.
• Passion for advocacy and a commitment to making a lasting impact.
• Competence in planning, organizing, scheduling, case documentation, plus strong oral and written communication abilities with capabilities of learning databases and technology
• Physical Requirements:
  
  read/write reports and log entries, walking/standing/sitting for prolonged periods, bending/stooping, kneeling/squatting, climbing stairs, reaching overhead, repetitive wrist/finger movements, ongoing access to reliable vehicle and driving own vehicle for work

This opportunity is being offered as a full-time position, 35 hours per week, Monday-Friday, 9 AM - 5 PM (flexible).

Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Please include a resume, cover letter and salary requirements.

Excellent training and leadership opportunities available throughout employment and more.

Here are some of the other benefits of working for Hope for Youth.

• Meaningful work that makes a difference in the lives of children and families of Long Island!
• Supportive like-minded, mission-driven co-workers
• Diverse Culture that promotes recognition and belonging
• Advancement and supplemental pay opportunities
• Free Training programs, Free Tuition Credits, Scholarships and Tuition Assistance
• Employees may be eligible for Student Loan Forgiveness Programs
• Special Events and Recognition Awards
• Volunteer and Internship opportunities available within
• Benefit eligibility commences on the first of the month following the first 30 days of employment - Medical, Dental, Vision - HRA with HSA and Co-pay options available.
• 91% Employer-paid medical premiums
• Generous paid time off
• Agency-funded Pension Plan
• Pre-tax savings plans: self-directed 403(b), 529, Aflac
• Agency-paid life insurance and disability, and for some positions, long-term disability

Learn more about Hope for Youth at:

Additional Pay Range Information

The salary range and/or hourly rate range listed for this position is a good faith determination of potential compensation that may be offered to a successful applicant for this position at the time of this job advertisement and may be modified in the future. When determining an employee's base salary and/or rate, several factors may be considered as applicable (e.g., years of relevant experience, education, licensing, certifications, other credentials, negotiated contracts, budget and internal equity, etc.)