Adoption Social Worker - Bay Area

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

10d•$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 position is primarily a home-based position and requires travel within the assigned area to complete essential functions.

Requirements

Master's in Social Work or another Social Service Master's degree with at least 2 years of adoption and/or foster care experience.
Proven clinical and assessment skills and 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 to identify root issues, potential solutions and options for intervention.
Ability to express thoughts and feelings and facilitate that expression from others.
Ability to establish and maintain a therapeutic relationship, work cooperatively with agency staff, and 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 or very near the Bay Area with willingness to travel.

Responsibilities

Determines a family’s ability and capacity to parent an adopted child by conducting pre-home study meetings, reviewing and assessing agency-requested information, evaluating the family’s knowledge and perceptions of adoption, teaching adoption education courses, and conducting psycho-social assessments of family members.
Produces adoption home studies and post placement reports that comply with provided guidelines and meet current agency, state, country and USCIS requirements.
Provides support and case management of all assigned families by maintaining quarterly contacts, communicating information to the family, referring family to appropriate community support systems, and documenting all correspondence in Holt’s database.
Prepares family for travel and assists with post placement adjustment by providing training and identifying resources available to help meet the child’s needs and aid in the child’s adjustment to the family. Conducts home visits as required by state law and country program guidelines, assists in early identification of problematic issues, and makes a determination regarding the stability and appropriateness of the placement.
Assures child’s physical and emotional well-being and eases family’s adjustment by providing counseling to the child and family and/or helping arrange for counseling with a clinician outside the agency if needed. In case of an adoption disruption or dissolution, maintains relationship with family to ensure transition plan is developed that meets the child’s needs. Assists child and family with transition of child to new placement.
Participates in activities arranged by Holt including picnics or parent groups, represents Holt at adoption meetings, coalitions and organizations, and performs other outreach activities as appropriate.
Maintains professional knowledge by attending relevant seminars and course work, keeping informed about State regulations, legislation, adoption issues and child-related issues overseas; maintaining license, if required.
Meets attendance and punctuality guidelines and pre-arranges time off with appropriate notice; treats all people with dignity and respect; and exhibits good listening and comprehension skills including giving and welcoming feedback.
Works cooperatively with Branch and Eugene offices, respectfully responding to all communication from Branch and Eugene in a timely manner. Provides back-up to colleagues as needed and supports branch office in meeting objectives.