Foster Care Support Specialist

Native American Youth And Family Center • Portland, OR

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

NAYA Family Center seeks a community oriented and experienced foster care or social services professional to help serve our community as our Foster Care Support Specialist! The Foster Care Support Specialist works closely with youth, families, and caregivers, coordinating with tribal and state systems to ensure safety, stability, and connection to culture. This role combines case management, crisis response, and community collaboration to help youth thrive.

NAYA offers an exceptional benefits package, including free medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees (with affordable options for family members), a 401(k) retirement plan with a 6% match, paid vacation, and 16 paid holidays.

This is a full-time role with work hours of 9 am to 6 pm with a one-hour unpaid lunch. Some evening and weekend work may be required based on project needs. Once training and onboarding are complete, there may be flexibility to work from home 1-2 days a week with supervisor approval.

Requirements

• You have lived or professional experience working with diverse populations, particularly within Native American communities.
• You have a bachelor’s degree in social work or a related field, or equivalent experience in human/social/direct/educational services.
• You have knowledge and understanding of the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) and DHS Child Welfare systems.
• You have experience providing social services to families and, ideally, experience in cultural arts or enrichment programs.
• You are familiar with local community resources, emergency services, and social service agencies, especially for low-income and diverse populations.
• You are committed to trauma-informed care, harm reduction, and culturally responsive services.
• You excel at managing high-volume caseloads, staying organized under multiple deadlines and shifting priorities.
• You practice good judgment in problem-solving and crisis management, maintaining composure in high-pressure situations.
• You thrive in a team-oriented workplace, are adaptable, and are willing to roll up your sleeves and pitch in, even when it’s not your job.
• You connect with clients in ways that motivate better outcomes while demonstrating patience, empathy, and accountability.
• You possess strong communication skills, engaging effectively with diverse groups and adapting to varied contexts.
• You demonstrate self-awareness, listening deeply, centering others, and taking accountability for your actions.
• You are consistently punctual, reliable, and dependable in support of your team and clients.
• You are proficient in computer skills, including web-based research, word processing, MS Excel, and email.

Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of youth in foster care, conducting assessments and developing individualized service plans.
• Advocate for youth with families, schools, and social service agencies, ensuring their needs are met.
• Support foster and relative caregivers with guidance, resources, and culturally grounded strategies.
• Incorporate cultural practices and traditions into care planning and service delivery.
• Respond to crises and provide problem-solving support to youth and families.
• Collaborate with tribal, state, and community organizations to coordinate services and resources.
• Maintain accurate documentation, ensuring compliance with organizational policies and state regulations.

Benefits

• free medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees (with affordable options for family members)
• a 401(k) retirement plan with a 6% match
• paid vacation
• 16 paid holidays

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 1-10 employees