Family Services Worker - Foster Care

Family Services Worker I (FSW I)

Departmental Hiring Salary Range: $54,190 - $62,185

Signing Bonus: One-time $5,000 bonus for new hires.

• Recruit, assess, select and match foster/adoptive families for children in care; prepare children and families for transition into foster/adoptive homes; provide support to children and families in finalizing adoptions; work directly with biological parents and/or relatives to prepare for transition and return to their custody.
• Manage caseloads by maintaining files, telephone contacts, referrals to private vendors for services, preparing documents, filing, authorizing payments, and providing coverage as a lead worker.
• Prepare for court by attending court hearings with written reports and verbal testimonies, filing petitions and affidavits, preparing witnesses, preparing court reports, and coordinating activities with attorneys and law enforcement.
• Provide case management in conjunction with the supervisor and other relevant parties. Keep factual and timely formal records through the use of computer-based and other information systems. Cooperate with any agreed quality assurance process operated by the Service.
• Conduct related duties by conducting home studies, preparing written reports of findings, providing on-call and emergency response for reports of abuse and neglect, attending and coordinating related meetings, and resolving crisis situations for families and individuals regarding personal safety, shelter, food and clothing.
• Make referrals for services by being knowledgeable of local services and resources, working with service providers in the community, serving on interagency service assessment teams, serving as a client advocate in accessing services and working with other agencies such as schools, courts and mental health providers.
• Collaborate with other staff in locating foster homes, group homes, and residential treatment facilities based on child's service needs.
• Provide group counseling by training citizens and professionals pertaining to social issues and services.
• Participate in staff and training meetings as assigned.

• Minimum of a Bachelor's degree in a Human Services field or minimum of a Bachelor's degree in any field and minimum of two years of appropriate and related experience in a Human Services area. Possession of a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) or Master of Social Work (MSW) degree is desirable.
• No experience required.
• Valid Driver's License required.
• Successful completion of State mandated training within the first 24 months of employment.

Monday – Friday 8:30am – 5:00pm, some weekends.