Foster Care Specialist Case Manager

Hands Across The Water Inc•Ann Arbor, MI

135d•Hybrid

About The Position

Join a dynamic, fast-paced, inclusive and supportive workplace focused on high quality services to children and families in our community. Hands Across The Water is a licensed, non-profit child placing agency. Our Foster Care Program provides a temporary home for children until a more permanent placement can be secured. The primary responsibilities of the Foster Care Specialist position is to provide services to ensure that biological parents and foster parents are given the tools and resources to meet the educational, physical and emotional needs of the child. Case management services are goal-oriented and time-limited. The goals are to ensure the safety and well-being of the child while developing and monitoring a service plan for the child’s parent(s), reporting and making recommendations to the court regarding a permanency plan for each child. This position requires significant travel including in-office, in-home, and outside of office work, often during non-traditional hours such as evenings and weekends, depending on case needs. The appropriate candidate will work with other dedicated professionals in a team atmosphere and have the ability to work independently. Attention to detail, strong organization skills, and professional manner are all important characteristics for the right candidate. This is full-time position. Schedules need to be flexible to accommodate duties, children, families, and court, including a 9 week-long preliminary training. This is not a 9-5 job and requires periodic on-call duties. This position is based in our Washtenaw office but there will be work in multiple counties including Wayne, Monroe, Livingston and Lenawee counties.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree in Social Work, Sociology, Psychology, Criminal Justice, Child Development, Human Services, Family Studies, Education, Gerontology, Forensic Psychology, Social Science or related field.
Demonstrate a commitment to the safety and well-being of children and families with the primary goal of ensuring that families have the tools and services needed to achieve reunification.
Knowledge of available community resource for, and comfort working with, individuals facing challenges associated with substance abuse, mental health, cognitive/developmental disabilities, domestic violence, poverty, homelessness and trauma.
Strong written and oral communication skills.
Professionalism.
Organizational skills.
Comfort with computer technology/database entry.
Possess a valid Driver’s License.
Positive driving record.
Proof of automobile insurance.
May not have been convicted of child abuse or neglect, a felony involving harm or threatened harm to an individual within the 10 years immediately preceding the date of hire, or be listed on the central registry as a perpetrator of child abuse or child neglect.

Nice To Haves

Experience in a professional setting with youth and families.
Experience in foster care case management.

Responsibilities

Provide services to ensure that biological parents and foster parents are given the tools and resources to meet the educational, physical and emotional needs of the child.
Develop and monitor a service plan for the child’s parent(s).
Report and make recommendations to the court regarding a permanency plan for each child.
Work with other dedicated professionals in a team atmosphere.
Work independently.
Handle stress well.
Be an active listener with good clinical observation and evaluation skills.
Be flexible and able to handle change.
Be a team player yet able to work independently.
Multi-task.
Maintain case responsibility and follow-through with multiple competing demands.

Benefits

Salary: $54,080 per year
All staff paid hourly/overtime work receives overtime pay
Training hours paid
Additional $40/day for on-call duties
Flexible workplace, hybrid remote/in-office duties after successful orientation period
Comprehensive medical/vision; employee pays 20% of the premium plus additional for spouse/dependents
Dental benefits with employer contribution
11 paid holidays plus an extra day for your birthday and a floating holiday
14 - 26 paid days off, depending on length of service
Mileage reimbursed at .70 cents
Monthly phone stipend of $40
403(b) retirement plan with matching
Pay increases annually
Annual bonuses to staff as finances allow
Short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance premiums paid in full by employer
Employer paid employee assistance program – providing comprehensive support for employees’ mental health and well-being, access to counseling, and resources to help navigate personal and work-related challenges
Licensure supervision for social workers
Opportunities for growth and professional development, including between $500 - $1,000 reimbursement for training/CEU’s/tuition costs related to position
Candidate with CWTI foster care training to receive a signing bonus.