Adoption Social Worker - Southern California

HOLT INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN'S SERVICES INC•Agoura Hills, CA

24d•$27 - $30•Hybrid

About The Position

Holt International finds and supports permanent, loving families for children who are orphaned, abandoned or at serious risk of separation from their family. The master’s level social worker represents Holt in their community and ensures the successful adjustment of child and family by conducting an assessment of the family and providing appropriate services throughout the adoption process. The master’s level social worker works cooperatively with families, the Branch Office and Adoption Teams headquartered in Eugene, Oregon. This is primarily a home-based position that requires travel within the assigned area (LA & Orange County) to complete essential functions. The role involves determining a family's ability to parent an adopted child, conducting psycho-social assessments, producing adoption home studies and post-placement reports, providing case management and support, preparing families for travel, assisting with post-placement adjustment, providing counseling, and contributing to public knowledge about Holt through outreach activities.

Requirements

Master’s degree in social work or a related field strongly preferred.
Five years of experience in a social service setting.
State license (where applicable).
Application of clinical skills and knowledge to determine the appropriateness of an adoptive placement and whether it is in the best interests of the child.
Proven clinical and assessment skills.
Experience in adoption services and processes.
Ability to conduct a psycho-social assessment.
Knowledge of family and group dynamics and adoption practices.
Excellent writing and computer skills.
Cross-cultural sensitivity.
Ability to organize, set priorities, and work independently.
Ability to analyze and interpret complex information from multiple sources and work through complex issues with families and children.
Ability to look at information from multiple perspectives and thoroughly weigh strengths and weaknesses of families before making decisions.
Ability to express thoughts and feelings and facilitate that expression from others.
Ability to establish and maintain a therapeutic relationship.
Ability to work cooperatively with agency staff.
Ability to work well with collateral contacts in the community, including returning phone calls and emails in a timely and courteous manner.

Nice To Haves

Located in LA and/or Orange County area with willingness to travel.

Responsibilities

Conduct pre-home study meetings, review and assess agency-requested information, evaluate family's knowledge and perceptions of adoption, teach adoption education courses, and conduct psycho-social assessments of family members to determine a family’s ability and capacity to parent an adopted child.
Produce adoption home studies and post-placement reports that comply with provided guidelines and meet current agency, state, country, and USCIS requirements.
Maintain quarterly contacts with assigned families, communicate information, refer families to appropriate community support systems, and document all correspondence in Holt’s database.
Provide training and identify resources to prepare families for travel and assist with post-placement adjustment, conduct required home visits, assist in early identification of problematic issues, and determine the stability and appropriateness of the placement.
Provide counseling to the child and family, or arrange for external counseling, to ensure the child’s physical and emotional well-being and ease the family’s adjustment. In case of disruption or dissolution, maintain relationships to ensure a transition plan is developed and assist with the child’s transition to a new placement.
Participate in Holt activities (e.g., picnics, parent groups), represent Holt at adoption meetings, coalitions, and organizations, and perform other outreach activities to contribute to public knowledge about Holt and support Holt programs.
Maintain professional knowledge by attending relevant seminars and coursework, staying informed about State regulations, legislation, adoption issues, and overseas child-related issues, and maintaining licensure if required.
Meet attendance and punctuality guidelines, pre-arrange time off with appropriate notice, treat all people with dignity and respect, and exhibit good listening and comprehension skills.
Work cooperatively with Branch and Eugene offices, respond respectfully and timely to all communication, provide back-up to colleagues as needed, and support branch office in meeting objectives.