Child Focused Recruiter

State of Massachusetts • Wrentham, MA

435d

About The Position

The Child Focused Recruiter at the Department of Children and Families (DCF) plays a vital role in protecting children from abuse and neglect by promoting permanency through adoption. This position involves utilizing the Wendy's Wonderful Kids (WWK) Recruitment model to connect youth in need of permanent homes with families wishing to adopt. The recruiter will manage a caseload of 12-15 youth, implementing effective recruitment, matching, and support services to ensure successful placements.

Requirements

• Relevant experience in child welfare, including knowledge of foster care, adoption, trauma, and legal permanency.
• Expertise in providing family support and excellent customer service.
• Ability and willingness to travel with flexibility to work evenings and occasional weekends.
• Computer literacy and efficiency with MS Office software.
• Commitment to work from a strength-based and/or youth development perspective.
• Belief that all children deserve legal permanency.
• Highly motivated self-starter.
• Knowledge of the impact of trauma and trauma-informed practices.
• Demonstrated ability to organize and manage multiple projects and cultivate relationships.
• Ability to cultivate strong working relationships with diverse populations.

Nice To Haves

• Demonstrated commitment to core practice values: child-driven, family-centered, community-focused, strength-based, committed to diversity/cultural competency, and continuous learning.

Responsibilities

• Work in partnership with agency staff to identify youth for referrals to the program utilizing the WWK model.
• Review case records and interview youth, social workers, and family members to assist in the recruitment process.
• Utilize internet search tools to identify and locate resources within the youth's network.
• Develop initial written adoption readiness assessments describing the youth's understanding and feelings about adoption.
• Create child-focused recruitment plans for the youth.
• Meet with the youth at least monthly to discuss progress.
• Communicate with the case manager monthly to review the recruitment plan's progress.
• Meet with family members and supportive connections to discuss locating permanent resources for the youth.
• Coordinate preplacement visits once a match is made with the adoptive resource.
• Assist in developing and coordinating the transition plan with the youth and matched family.
• Work with the youth and family during the transition process to provide placement support.
• Ensure the adoptive family is working towards adoption finalization in conjunction with the case manager.
• Attend educational opportunities provided by the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption.
• Submit monthly data in the WWK database.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Comprehensive employee benefits package
• Support for work-life balance
• Opportunities for professional development
• Commitment to diversity and inclusion in the workplace

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Industry: Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree