Children’s Services Worker (Kinship Coordinator) (4765-12)

Hamilton County Government • Cincinnati, OH

2h • Hybrid

About The Position

Be part of our Team! We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities in all employment practices. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by law. We are a second-chance employer and a recovery friendly workplace. The Children’s Services Worker (Kinship Coordinator) provides child-specific relative/non-relative search efforts for a caseload of children in interim/temporary custody as part of out of short and long term home care placement options and concurrent planning. This role involves working with children, parents, and other family members to identify relatives and other family and child connections, reviewing case records, and collaborating with other divisions within JFS. The coordinator conducts relative home studies, assesses family needs, develops support plans, serves as a kinship resource for casework staff, completes required reports, and attends court and other necessary meetings and training.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in human services-related field or Bachelor’s degree in any field and has two (2) years’ work experience in a human service-related occupation.
• A bachelor's or master's in a human services-related field would be required within 5 years.
• Must possess a valid driver's license issued in the state of residency.
• Must have the use of an insured automobile.
• A criminal records check conducted by the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation and the FBI is required.
• Must undergo a background check via the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation (BCI).
• Must have a car, valid driver’s license issued by the state of residency and required auto liability insurance.
• Background checks consistent with requirements in OAC 5101:2-5-09 must be completed at employment and every ten years following, including but not limited to the following systems: State Automated Child Welfare Information System (SACWIS), State Child/Abuse Neglect Central Registry Check for any state in which the applicant resided within the last five years, Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification Investigation (BCI), FBI, National Sex Offender Public website (WWW.NSOPW.Gov) Code 5101:2-5-09 must be conducted for each prospective employee.
• Applicants for Children’s Services positions cannot provide foster care for children in the custody of Hamilton County.

Responsibilities

• Provides child specific relative/non relative search efforts for a caseload of children in interim/temporary custody as part of out of short and long term home care placement options and concurrent planning; works with children, parents and other family members to identify relatives and other family and child connections; reviews entire case records and collaborates with other divisions within JFS to identify relatives and other family connections; works directly with the caseworker, child, biologic family (paternal and maternal), team members, known fictive kin, siblings, adopted siblings in the identification and assessment of appropriate kin.
• Conducts relative home studies in accordance with OAC rule and HCJFS policy; makes recommendations for approval based on assessment; completes timely assessment appropriate to urgency of need.
• Conducts needs assessment with family; develops plan of support in collaboration with kinship provider, caseworker and team and arranges or ensures necessary support and services are delivered in accordance with the caregiver and family needs; serves as an advocate and point of contact for the kin caregiver.
• Serves as kinship resource for casework staff; provides formal training and information regarding needs and available resources for kinship families; establishes relationships with community public and private stakeholders which includes community advocacy and outreach in support of kinship families.
• Completes reports as required; attends court and other meetings as necessary.
• Attends conferences and training.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Highly Competitive Employee Benefits and Generous Paid Time Off
• 11 Paid Holidays
• Immediately Begin with 40 hours Paid Vacation if No Prior Service.
• Ohio Public Employee Retirement System which includes 14% Employer Contribution AND a defined benefit option.
• Highly Competitive and Comprehensive Benefits Package: Medical, HRA, Dental, Vision, Employer-Paid Life Insurance, Long-Term Disability, Tuition Reimbursement, Paid Parental Leave, Public Service Loan Forgiveness Eligibility, Commuter Stipend or Free On-Site Parking, Wellness Incentives, robust Employee Assistance Program, access to Free Medical and Rx through Marathon Health, plus expansive Behavioral and Mental Health Resources, and More!

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees