Adoption Permanency Specialist-ATCP

DePaul Community Resources•Roanoke, VA

18h•Hybrid

About The Position

DePaul is seeking a Full-Time Adoption Permanency Specialist-ATCP (Adoption Through Collaborative Partnerships) that will serve the Roanoke region, working 37.5 hours per week. This position will provide casework services to children, adoptive families, and potential adoptive families. The road to adoption can be very challenging for families to navigate. Throughout the journey, our pre-adoption program's adoption specialists help children transition from foster care to adoption. Primary responsibilities include intensive recruitment efforts for children awaiting adoption, preparation for children to join an adoptive family, therapeutic lifebook work, pre-placement visitation assistance, locating appropriate community resources, and helping navigate the legal adoption process. The Adoption Specialist will work closely with local Department of Social Services workers and assist them with completing adoption-related reports and paperwork.

Requirements

Knowledge of office and records administration techniques and procedures
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar
Knowledge of Microsoft Office Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Outlook, Sharepoint, Teams, and virtual meeting applications such as Zoom, WebEx, Google Meet
Knowledge of DePaul's policies, procedures, and standard practices and the rules and guidelines established by regulatory and governing agencies
Knowledge of relevant policies, procedures, and strategies to promote the safety and protection of people, data, and property
Knowledge of office procedures and spelling, grammar, punctuation, and arithmetic
Knowledge of policies, procedures, and guidelines established by DePaul, professional organizations, governing agencies, and local laws, statutes, regulations, codes, and standards related to the area of responsibility
Knowledge of motor vehicle operations, traffic rules and regulations, and maintenance of motor vehicles
Demonstrate interpersonal and verbal skills to defuse emotional situations, calm upset individuals, allay fears, and lessen confusion.
Give full attention to what other people are saying, take time to understand the points being made, ask questions as appropriate, and not interrupt at inappropriate times
Demonstrate verbal and written communication and body language that purveys professional composure, emotional intelligence, thoughtfulness, patience, and respect amidst change, ambiguity, and within the daily trajectories of work
Operate standard office equipment such as telephone, calculator, printer, scanner, cellular phone, tablet, computer, postage machine, shredder
Collect and analyze data
Manage multiple priorities and complete assignments on time, accurately, and with attention to detail, and ensure a high-quality work product
Develop and maintain professional working relationships and appropriate boundaries with individuals served, coworkers, management, community partners, and business associates, and work collaboratively in a team environment
Operate a computer and utilize computer applications, including spreadsheets, databases, word processing, email, internet, virtual meetings, internet, and department or program-specific software
Develop objectives, evaluate effectiveness, and assess service plans for individuals served
Analyze and prepare concise and accurate documents, reports, and correspondence
Communicate effectively in both oral and written form
Read and understand information and ideas presented in writing
Make arithmetical computations and tabulations
Effectively communicate policies and procedures clearly and concisely to coworkers, providers, and community partners
Effectively market the programs and services of the department and organization
Exercise sound judgment and critical thinking in decision-making and solving various work-related situations
Learn and adhere to policies, procedures, and guidelines established by DePaul, professional organizations, governing agencies, and local laws, statutes, regulations, codes, and standards related to the area of responsibility
Assist with the general upkeep and cleaning of office areas and agency vehicles
Demonstrate self-awareness, ongoing self-evaluation, and a commitment to being part of a diverse, equitable, respectful, and inclusive workplace where all people are valued
Demonstrate professional composure in difficult and stressful situations
Demonstrate the FIRST (fairness, integrity, respect, safety, trust) values in the daily trajectories of work
Demonstrate professionalism regarding access to sensitive and confidential information related to employees, clients, and business records with no disclosure to others without needing to know
A Bachelor's degree in social work or a related human services field with one year of experience providing casework services to children or families is required.
current DMV driving record with results that comply with insurer guidelines
drug and alcohol screening with satisfactory results stipulated by applicable governing, funding, or regulatory agencies
criminal and child protective services background report.
The applicant shall not have been convicted of any barrier crime(s) on the criminal background report.
The applicant will have no founded disposition of child abuse or neglect as documented by the Child Protective Services background report.

Nice To Haves

Experience as a foster/adoptive parent could substitute for formal casework experience.
Individuals possessing the required education yet lacking the necessary experience may be hired as a Trainee.

Responsibilities

Provide child-specific adoptive family recruitment
Coordinate with Local Departments of Social Services (DSS) and Adoption and Family Resource Consultants regarding adoptive cases and home
Prepare children and families for adoption through education and therapeutic support (including lifebook work when appropriate)
Perform comprehensive and ongoing assessment of the child's and family's needs strengths and adoption readiness
Educate families on the adoption court process and assist families and DSS with the completion of related adoption paperwork
Prepare and maintain case records and reports according to program and grant standards concerning timeliness, content, accuracy, and confidentiality
Collaborate with supervisor, adoption team members, other DePaul staff across programs, and community partners as needed to optimize services and program outcomes
Provide outreach and education/training to LDSS offices as needed
Complete other duties as assigned.