Caseworker

KICKAPOO TRIBE OF OKLAHOMA•McLoud, OK

9d•Onsite

About The Position

The Caseworker works within the Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma’s Indian Child Welfare Department to recruit and approve Tribal foster and adoptive homes, protect children in out-of-home placements, support families working toward reunification or adoption, and help families obtain needed services in a culturally sensitive manner. The Caseworker works directly with children, families, and other relevant parties and is primarily responsible for developing, implementing, and reviewing service plans for children and their families. The position involves case management for youth in foster care, home studies and visits, court-related reports and recommendations, visitation supervision, coordination with families and service providers, and assistance with foster care and adoption placements and finalizations. The role requires maintaining confidential records and complying with IV-E regulations. Although the department’s usual operating hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., the Caseworker is on call 24 hours a day, including holidays, and may provide services after hours and on weekends. The position requires flexibility, including additional hours as needed. The work is primarily performed in a tribal office setting and may also involve home visits, transportation, and contact with children, families, courts, agencies, and tribal members. Work may involve high noise or stress levels, deadlines, traffic hazards, violent individuals, communicable diseases, or difficult interactions. Physical activities include frequent standing, walking, sitting, bending, twisting, talking, and listening; prolonged sitting, keyboarding, reading, and standing; and occasional lifting or moving of up to 50 pounds.

Requirements

Two years of experience working with children, parents, and/or families.
One year of experience conducting interviews and/or investigations.
Current knowledge of Microsoft Windows and general computer use.
Ability to communicate effectively in writing and orally, including preparing court reports, service plans, case narratives, correspondence, agendas, and policies, and delivering presentations or training.
Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality.
Valid Oklahoma driver’s license.
Must pass a drug screening test, OSBI background investigation, and extensive background check.
Must not be an Indian Child Welfare client and must not have previous or current child welfare history.
Thorough knowledge of social work principles and practices, including federal, state, and local regulations affecting human services programs.
Knowledge of programs, socioeconomic trends, and behaviors that affect the delivery of human services.
Knowledge of crisis intervention, counseling techniques, support services for resistant clients, and child and adult protection.
Knowledge of state and local policies, laws, procedures, and regulations related to protective services, foster care, and adoption.
Knowledge of intervention and treatment-planning principles and techniques.
Knowledge of case-management methods and practices for evaluating and coordinating public assistance for customers and their families.
Ability to assess client strengths, weaknesses, and needs using critical thinking, logic, and reasoning.
Ability to evaluate options, establish priorities, and make sound decisions on complex matters.
Ability to develop and maintain cooperative, professional relationships with employees, managers, and representatives of other departments and organizations.
Ability to use word-processing, spreadsheet, and related software with reasonable speed and accuracy.
Ability to plan and organize daily work and caseloads and meet strict deadlines.
Ability to work effectively under pressure, maintain composure, and respond appropriately in difficult situations.
Ability to work independently and as a team member while maintaining professionalism, courtesy, efficiency, ethical conduct, and effective customer service.
Ability to interact with a wide variety of people and manage multiple complicated issues and deadlines.
Ability to respect and work sensitively with the beliefs and traditions of the Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma.
English language proficiency is necessary.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s or master’s degree in social work, psychology, sociology, or education is preferred.
Knowledge of or ability to speak the Kickapoo language is a plus.
Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be evaluated individually.

Responsibilities

Visit prospective foster and adoptive Tribal homes and conduct home studies according to agency expectations and procedures.
Work independently with and counsel families to develop and implement service plans intended to reduce child abuse or neglect.
Participate in planning and evaluating child abuse and neglect programs, foster care, and adoption services.
Prepare written reports and recommendations to the court concerning removal, visitation, reunification, and related matters.
Supervise visits as ordered by the Tribal Nation District Court.
Complete DHS paperwork documenting changes in custody when cases transfer to Tribal court.
Maintain confidential records and comply with IV-E regulations for foster care subsidy payments.
Visit children in Tribal custody at least monthly and document each visit as required by IV-E regulations.
Remain on call 24/7 and provide services after hours and/or on weekends.
Transport children to foster care placements, medical appointments, and visitations.
Provide case management to youth placed in foster care.
Facilitate treatment team meetings and participate in Assessment Team meetings and Family Partnership Meetings.
Build trusting relationships with children in care, including children who have experienced abuse.
Serve as a liaison among children, their families, and foster families.
Outline foster care goals and monitor children’s academic performance.
Place children in permanent foster care homes or identify permanent placement with adoptive families.
Assist in obtaining birth, death, and marriage certificates and other documentation needed to file an adoption.
Intervene with courts, pre-adoptive parents, adoption attorneys, the ACS subsidy unit, or other entities when needed to prevent unnecessary delays in adoption finalization.
Conduct home visits to help birth parents meet reunification requirements.
Perform other miscellaneous duties assigned by the supervisor or team leader.
Maintain professional and ethical conduct, protect confidential information, respect Kickapoo culture and traditions, follow Tribal policies and procedures, attend scheduled meetings and trainings, and promptly report and document accidents or injuries.