Social Worker, Birth Parent Services

Spence-Chapin Services to Families and Children•New York, NY

3d•$62,000 - $71,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Social Worker, Birth Parent Services responsibilities include working with birth parents in the options counseling, permanency planning and adoption process, individual counseling, writing psychosocial histories, visiting clients in hospital and community, discharging babies from hospital, facilitating selection of and meetings with adoptive parents, assisting in placement and/or return of infants, referral to community support services. The Social Worker will conduct outreach, education, and training at hospitals and agencies that serve expectant parents. Work closely with Associate Director to implement department goals. This is an in-person position with annual salary range of $62,000-$71,000 commensurate with experience. Spence-Chapin is a non-profit organization based in New York City that has been providing adoption services and adoption support for more than 115 years. At Spence-Chapin, we believe that every child deserves a family, and we work tirelessly to advocate for children in need of a permanent, loving home. Over our history, Spence-Chapin has served more than 30,000 children, women, and families through our main program areas: Comprehensive Domestic and International Adoption Programs; Birth Parent Services; Well-being Services; and International Humanitarian Aid through programs like our Granny Program to support children living in orphanages overseas. Our work is made possible by the dedicated individuals on our staff. At Spence-Chapin we find joy in celebrating each other, our co-workers, and our clients. Everyone is treated with respect and dignity to strengthen the vibrancy of our community. We celebrate a culture of excellence, inclusivity, compassion, flexibility, and support. Spence-Chapin offers a competitive benefits package that includes full health benefits, generous PTO and holiday schedule, HRA & FSA plans, life insurance, retirement plan with employer contribution, paid maternity/paternity/ adoption leave, commuter benefits, and more. Being part of the Spence-Chapin team is being part of a legacy, which for more than 115 years has provided critical services to children, women, and families around the world.

Requirements

MSW from an accredited school of social work, or a related degree required
A minimum of two years MSW experience or related experience working directly with clients in a social service setting
Must have a valid driver’s license and clean driving record
At least one-year counselling experience
Proficiency in Word, Excel and Outlook
Knowledge of completing case notes in a database environment
Strong organizational skills, and ability to meet tight deadlines
Ability to multitask; strong execution skills; thorough follow through, and attention to detail
Excellent oral and written communication and presentation skills
Ability to work in a collaborative environment with various departments, which supports both individual and cooperative work
Ability to work independently at satellite office locations

Nice To Haves

Experience in adoption and/or pregnancy counselling preferred
Spanish speaking a plus

Responsibilities

Provide “options counseling” to pregnant and postpartum woman considering adoption for their newborns and young children
Visit clients in the hospital and at home, as needed
Represent the agency at hospital and discharge babies from hospitals to the agency’s interim care program
Determine client’s need for services and make referrals to resources outside of the agency
Gather bio-psycho-social background information, formulate assessments and write histories
Write case notes in client database and maintain up-to-date case records
Educate clients on best practices in adoption. Guide clients in planning, including making hospital plans, matching with adoptive families, reviewing legal documents and securing an optimal post surrender contact plan
Provide therapeutic counseling to individuals and families
Participate in placement and return of infants
Provide short term supportive counseling to clients who have placed a child
Participate in answering birth parent inquiry calls to agency’s toll free birth parent telephone line
Actively participate in weekly supervision with direct supervisor
Perform any other department or agency-related duties or special projects as directed by supervisor
Provide birth parent outreach, education and training to professionals at local hospitals, clinics and social services
Provide weekend on-call coverage approximately one every 6-7 weeks