Licensing Caseworker - Foster Care and Adoption

Lutheran Services in Iowa • Council Bluffs, IA

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

THIS POSITION IS ELIGIBLE FOR A SIGN-ON BONUS! Are you looking for a career where you can make a positive impact in the lives of others? At LSI, your journey is our passion! LSI Foster Care & Adoption is seeking a full-time Licensing Caseworker to serve the Council Bluffs and surrounding counties. This position requires travel and working from home/remote flexibility.

What We Do
Lutheran Services in Iowa (LSI) is a trusted nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening children, families, and communities across Iowa. Guided by faith-based values and a commitment to service, LSI provides a wide range of programs including child welfare, behavioral health, refugee and immigrant services, services for people with disabilities, and support for older adults. By meeting people where they are and honoring the dignity and potential of every individual, LSI works to create hope, opportunity, and lasting positive change throughout the state.

What You'll Do
The Licensing Caseworker is responsible for completing the initial licensing or approval home study process for prospective foster, adoption and kinship care families. The Licensing caseworker will support prospective families through the pre-service training, home study process, writing, and submitting the home study packet. The worker in this position is responsible for working with families to complete assigned home studies for resource families (foster adoptive and kinship) within project timelines. The position requires the individual to become very familiar with all licensing rules and adoption rules through the Department of Health and Human Services and Iowa Administrative Code. The position requires some flexibility in scheduling appointments and may require the caseworker to work occasional evening and/or weekend hours to meet the needs of the families served.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in social work or a related human services field.
• A minimum of one year experience within the child welfare field.
• Valid driver's license.
• Auto insurance.
• Good driving record.
• Ability to pass an extensive background check including checks of the Dependent Adult and Child Abuse registries, Sex Offender registry and a criminal history check.
• Well organized.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbal and written.
• Skills, energy, and desire to complete initial home studies to potential foster/adoptive families.
• Ability to collaborate with others.
• Good time management skills.
• Desire to form strong and positive relationships with child welfare professionals, staff, stakeholders, and clients.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor's degree in education with 1 year of experience can be considered.
• Bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply!

Responsibilities

• Completing the initial licensing or approval home study process for prospective foster, adoption and kinship care families.
• Supporting prospective families through the pre-service training, home study process, writing, and submitting the home study packet.
• Working with families to complete assigned home studies for resource families (foster adoptive and kinship) within project timelines.
• Becoming very familiar with all licensing rules and adoption rules through the Department of Health and Human Services and Iowa Administrative Code.
• Positively promoting foster care, kinship care and adoption.
• Working with staff and leaders.
• Helping to recruit and license foster and adoptive families.

Benefits

• A competitive salary
• Comprehensive benefits
• A flexible schedule
• A 401(k)
• Generous paid time off
• Health, dental, life, and vision insurance
• Career-building opportunities
• Special Team LSI perks like pet insurance, and cell phone discounts through Verizon
• Sign-on bonus

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level