Foster Care Specialist

Youth Villages•Dyersburg, TN

About The Position

Youth Villages is hiring a Foster Care Specialist for its Treatment Foster Care program, which provides evidence-based, intensive in-home treatment for youth in foster care and support for foster parents. The program serves children and adolescents ages 0 to 18 who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect and may have behavioral or mental health needs. Its parent-centered treatment model promotes positive change at home, school, in the community, and among peers, while working toward family reunification or permanency through adoption when possible. Youth and foster families receive weekly in-person sessions and access to 24/7 on-call support from trauma-informed Foster Care Specialists. The specialist carries a caseload of 8 to 10 families and works with the whole family to build trust and align treatment. The schedule is flexible and non-traditional, based on the availability of the youth and families served. On-call schedules vary by location. Applicants must have a current, valid driver’s license, a vehicle for work purposes, and proof of auto insurance. Community-based staff are reimbursed for applicable mileage. The stated salary is $52,000 to $60,000 per year, based on education and clinical license.

Requirements

Master’s degree in a social services discipline; examples include social work, drug and alcohol education or counseling, psychology, criminal justice, guidance counseling, and marriage and family therapy. Other degrees may be reviewed.
Current, valid driver’s license.
Automobile for work purposes and proof of auto insurance.
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
Excellent written, verbal, and oral communication skills.
Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
Basic computer knowledge.
Ability to maintain a flexible schedule.

Nice To Haves

Experience with the foster care system.
Experience counseling adolescents in a clinical setting.

Responsibilities

Carry a caseload of 8 to 10 families.
Provide services to the entire family, not only the identified youth, to build trust and support treatment alignment.
Attend three weekly meetings: individual, team, and clinical consultation meetings to support professional development and clinical skills.
Provide on-call crisis support to youth and families; schedules vary by location.
Complete accurate and timely documentation in an electronic medical record (EMR) system.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

Medical, dental, prescription drug, and vision coverage.
401(k).
Paid vacation: two weeks for full-time employees and one week for part-time employees.
12 paid sick days per year.
11 paid holidays.
Paid parental leave.
Mileage and cell phone reimbursement when applicable.
Tuition reimbursement and licensure supervision.
Continuous training and opportunities for growth and development.
Clinical and administrative advancement opportunities.