Home Finder II

Hillside•City of Cortland, NY

2d•$21 - $31

About The Position

The Home Finder II recruits, trains, and certifies high-quality foster/kinship homes. The Home Finder II develops strong working relationships with Department of Social Services (DSS) staff in order to partner in the successful certification of County foster/kinship homes. While this job description covers many aspects of the role, employees may be required to perform other duties as assigned. At Hillside, we believe that healthy youth and strong families with opportunities to succeed are the foundation of any thriving community. Guided by this belief, we provide community-based services, education, and residential treatment to positively impact lives, in partnership with youth and families who have experienced trauma. From locations across Central & Western New York and Prince George’s County, Maryland, our programs serve nearly 10,000 youth, adults, and families each year. Partnering with families and communities, we deliver high-quality, evidence-based services, in the appropriate settings — whether on residential campuses or in schools, homes, or the workplace. By measuring the impact of our work, we endeavor to deliver ever better outcomes every day. Equal Opportunity Employer: Hillside is committed to equal opportunities for all, supporting a diverse workforce, creating development opportunities for our people. Hillside is an equal opportunity employer; individuals from underrepresented and/or marginalized identities, Veterans, and disabled persons are encouraged to apply. Upon request, reasonable accommodations will be provided for the disabled. Total Rewards: We offer a competitive benefits package to include generous paid time off, paid holidays, comprehensive medical, dental and vision coverage, flexible spending account, 403(b) retirement savings plan with employer match, and Employee Assistance Plan – just to name a few of the amazing benefits at Hillside! World changers and change makers join our talent community every day. Apply online, get on board, and grow your career with us!

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required.
Minimum 1 year of experience working with youth and/or families.
Unrestricted, valid NYS driver’s license for minimum of 1 year with a clean driving record and minimum insurance coverage that meets agency standards.
Ability to successfully understand and teach the identified curriculum to train potential foster parent/kinship caregivers
Ability to empathize with the experiences and emotions of children in foster care and their families, demonstrating sensitivity, understanding, and support.
Ability to build positive, trusting relationships with children, foster families, and professionals in the foster care system.
Knowledge of all federal, state, and local statutes, regulatory agency standards and Hillside policies.
Must be able to work a variable scheduling including evenings and weekends
Sitting (up to 6 hours)
Occasional standing (up to 2 hour)
Occasional walking (up to 2.5 hours)
Driving (several times a week up to 6 hours)
Continuous balancing (up to 8 hours)
Occasional balancing, bending, stooping, climbing, kneeling, pushing, pulling, reaching forward or down, reaching overhead, running, and twisting (up to 2.5 hours)
Weekly lifting up to 10-15 lbs. on a daily basis
Manual dexterity is required, including the frequent ability to grasp in both hands and continuous use of fine manipulation skills in both hands (approximately 1-2.5 hrs.)
Occasional exposure to dust, fumes, gases, chemicals, or smoke is apparent
Ability to change positions as needed

Responsibilities

Recruit, train, and certify high-quality foster/kinship homes
Organize, coordinate, and facilitate foster/kinship parent recruitment events and training schedules.
Identify the relevant curriculum and provide training, 1:1 or in groups, for potential foster parents/kinship caregivers to assist them in meeting certification requirements.
Identify additional resources and/or training needed to ensure the foster/kinship parents are capable and confident in addressing the needs of youth in foster or kinship care.
Partner with DSS to understand the placement needs of youth in the county so that training reflects those needs.
Share ongoing assessment of the appropriateness and development of individuals in the training class with the Department of Social Services (DSS) workers.
Perform end to end home certifications.
Complete all aspects of the home study process which includes conducting a thorough home assessment and writing the initial home study report with a clear rationale for the recommendation.
Obtain and complete all paperwork and documentation required by regulatory bodies including all background and State Central Registry checks to ensure the certification process for foster/kinship homes is on file and meets all necessary requirements.