Adoption Recruiter Social Caseworker-B-Hybrid Work Model

"Arapahoe County Child and Adult Protection Services positions are hybrid and require 3 days in the office, which could be at either the Aurora or Littleton location."

Our Mission: Arapahoe County Department of Human Services (ACDHS) builds strong communities by promoting the safety, independence and stability of individuals and families.

Our Vision:To end the cycle of poverty and prevent abuse and neglect of children and vulnerable adults (using an integrated Two-Generation approach)

ACDHS uses an integrated Two-Generation (2Gen) approach to address all of the basic human services needs of the entire family unit. The 2Gen approach begins with a mindset focused on family-centered program design, continues with the alignment of services and resources within the department as well as across multiple organizations, resulting in coordinated services to children and adults together (family) in order to create long term stability and sustainability.

The 2Gen approach builds well-being for families by focusing equally and intentionally on high-quality services in five areas of focus: early childhood education, adult education and employment pathways, economic security, health and well-being and social capital. This approach will help us achieve our core mission of breaking the generational cycle of poverty, preventing neglect and abuse and building strong communities.

This Caseworker will provide operational support to the Permanency Caseworker for cases in which the child's primary permanency goal has become or is soon to become adoption. This position will help to develop, coordinate and facilitate the information exchange between the Department and the identified adoptive family as well as managing the entire adoption assistance process. This caseworker position will have a general knowledge of adoption topics and ensure that Volume VII and Children's Code policies and practices for adoption are being followed and ensure all judiciary documentation is completed accurately for the legal finalization of the child's adoption. It is also critical that this caseworker works closely with families to help educate and support them around adoption issues and about post-adoption support and services.

• Anticipated Hiring Range - Min: $60,625.76- $73,817.38.
• Develop child specific recruitment plans with children, youth and their supports.
• Regular face to face contact with referred children and youth to support the recruitment process.
• Regular collaboration and communication with Permanency Caseworkers on assigned case and to provide ongoing training and education about Adoption Recruitment.
• Complete file mining to assist in kinship identification for recruitment and to support the completion of Child and Family Studies.
• Partner with the Collaborative Foster Care Program to ensure maximization of resources of potential adoptive parents.
• Ensure that children and youth are posted as appropriate on adoption websites to include the Heart Gallery and Wednesday's Child.
• Respond to all inquires from families on available children and youth.
• Schedule, prepare and facilitate the Presentation Meeting/Information Sharing process with the identified adoptive family. This includes meeting with the Permanency Caseworker, reading extensive special needs information, helping to obtain third party documentation and redacting for confidentiality.
• Serve as the liaison with Raise the Future's Youth Connections program and manage the referrals to the program.
• Develop and maintain partnerships with local, state and national adoption agencies and regularly present children to such agencies.
• Actively establish new partnerships within the community to recruit adoptive families from their membership and/or customers. Community partners may include faith-based organizations, schools, libraries, charitable organizations, businesses, etc.
• Attend LINKS, staffings, or other meetings as deemed necessary to ensure and assist in the permanency goal of adoption.
• Provides case-specific documentation including, but not limited to, Trails and ICM entries of face-to-face and all other contacts notes and other documentation within regulated time frames.
• Attend state or agency adoption meetings when needed.
• Be assigned adoption coordinator cases as needed.
• Provide support at times with adoption renegotiations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills, Abilities and Competencies:

• Be familiar with Colorado Department of Human Services Policy and Procedures for Child Welfare Manual, Volume 7 (7.306.4) and the Children's Code as it relates to adoption policy and procedures.
• Ability to adapt to fast-paced and high-volume work environment and be able to handle high stress and complex situations while remaining calm and professional. Must be well versed in effective conflict resolution and possess ability to deescalate hostile situations and confidently make decisions.
• Ability to effectively communicate in a positive and professional work environment. Establish and maintain professional working relationships with parents, foster parents, relative care providers, staff, peers, supervisors, providers, state officials, and other community partners.
• Excellent organizational skills and strong ability to prioritize tasks, take initiative, and multitask.
• Ability to effectively present information, write reports and business correspondence and respond to court, managers, customers, other agencies, co-workers, and the general public via fax, telephone, and email. Ability to clearly articulate concepts, directives and goals to employees, professionals and state and community representatives.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office suite and state and county computer systems. Ability to learn and apply new computer skills on a regular basis.

Behavioral Competencies (these are required for all positions at ACG):

Accountability Accessibility Inclusivity Integrity

Education and Experience:

A bachelor's degree in social work or a human behavioral science field from an accredited institution with a minimum of 30 semester credit hours or 45 quarter hours in a human behavior science field* and one (1) year of professional casework, case management, or human services experience in a public or private human services agency.

OR

A bachelor's degree in social work or a human behavioral science field from an accredited institution with a minimum of 30 semester credit hours or 45 quarter hours in a human behavior science field* and

successful completion of a child welfare internship within a County Department of Human Services or a related Human Services Agency with direct contact and service to children and families in the community.

OR

A bachelor's degree in social work or a human behavioral science field from an accredited institution with a minimum of 30 semester credit hours or 45 quarter hours in a human behavior science field* and one (1) year of volunteer experience in a public or private human services agency working at least 20 hours per week.

OR

A master's degree from an accredited institution in social work or a human behavioral science field* with no experience.

OR

A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in an unrelated field (such as biology, physics, geology, etc.) with a minimum of 15 semester credit hours or 25 quarter hours in a human behavior science field* and a minimum of two (2) years of professional experience in casework, case management, or human services in a public or private agency.

OR

A master's degree from an accredited institution in an unrelated field (such as biology, physics, geology, etc.) with a minimum of 15 semester credit hours or 25 quarter hours of coursework in a human behavior science field*, coursework taken during bachelor's degree will meet this education requirement and a minimum of one (1) year of professional experience in casework, case management, or human services in a public or private agency.

• In order to meet the minimum educational requirements of a human behavioral science degree, the applicant must have a degree with major course work (equivalent to 15 semester credit hours or 25 quarter hours) in either development of human behavior, child development, family intervention techniques, diagnostic measures or therapeutic techniques such as social work, psychology, sociology, guidance and counseling, and child development.

Categorically Eligible Degrees:

For the purposes of meeting minimum educational requirements, the following degrees obtained from an accredited university will be considered "categorically eligible". Bachelor of Arts and/or Master of Arts degree in the following areas of study.

Areas of study that will be considered to meet the minimum educational requirements as outlined in Volume VII:

1. Psychology

1. Sociology

2. Social Work

3. Counseling

4. Child Development

5. Criminal Justice courses relevant to child welfare: This includes courses covering topics in juvenile justice, family law, family conflict, general court procedures, interviewing techniques, dispute resolution, and mediation.

6. Foreign language courses

7. Anthropology courses relevant to cultural development and history, linguistic development, and communications. Physical anthropology courses do not count toward the minimum requirements.

8. History courses relevant to family and cultural development.

Examples of relevant work experience include, but are not limited to:

• Educator/Teacher and or Para-professional Work: Providing support to underserved children in communities where services are essential, including engaging with families of learners.
• Refugee/Migrant Support: Offering aid and advocacy to refugees and/or migrants facing unique challenges.
• Residential Care/PRTF: Experience with children, youth or adults in residential care, day treatment or detention centers, emphasizing hands-on engagement with families.
• Domestic Violence Case Manager: Direct experience in managing cases related to domestic violence and supporting clients.
• Clinical Experience: Experience working with vulnerable/underserved children and families utilizing therapeutic tools or interventions.
• Medical Professionals: Ex. Nurses who have worked in the field with underserved populations providing public health education to families who are vulnerable and need assistance accessing services.
• Victim's Advocate: Experience working with children and families in the community providing support and resources.
• Probation Officer: Experience providing case management services to individuals, both youth and adults.
• Law Enforcement:Experience working in underserved communities, being called in the field to mitigate risk/de-escalation of citizens struggling with mental health, working with adults/youth in the community. Connecting with families in the community experiencing traumatic life events.
• Internships and Volunteering: Experience gained through internships or volunteering in any of the categories with a commitment of 20 hours per week or more (or 16 hours if internship was within child welfare county department).

NOTE: Please attach your official (preferred) or unofficial transcripts of your completed undergraduate and/or graduate degree and list of professional references to your application in the required attachment section.

• Anticipated Hiring Range - Min: $60,625.76- $73,817.38.

Pre-Employment Additional Requirements:

• Must successfully pass pre-employment testing which includes an acceptable motor vehicle record (MVR) and background check.
• Possession of a valid Class "R" Colorado Driver's License or the ability to obtain one within two weeks of appointment.

Post-Employment Requirements:

• Will require fingerprinting and a Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) background check.
• Position is deemed essential and casework staff must be available for winter storm and other emergency events.
• Caseworker staff may be asked to be available to work on-call on a rotational basis including evenings, holidays and weekends.
• Must have already successfully completed the Colorado Pre-Service Training Academy program or if hired must successfully complete and pass all required State of Colorado training in order to be certified as a caseworker. Maintain Child Welfare Certification through 40 or more hours of yearly training.
• Work locations and facilities are subject to change based on business need.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Work is generally confined to a standard office environment.
• Anticipated Hiring Range - Min: $60,625.76- $73,817.38.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The following are some of the physical demands commonly associated with this position.

• Spends 50% of the time sitting and 50% of the time either standing or walking.
• Occasionally lifts, carries, pulls or pushes up to 20 lbs.
• Occasionally uses cart, dolly, or other equipment to carry in excess of 20 lbs.
• Occasionally climbs, stoops, kneels, balances, reaches, crawls and crouches while performing office or work duties.
• Verbal and auditory capacity enabling constant interpersonal communication through automated devices, such as telephones, radios, and similar; and in public meetings and personal interactions.
• Constant use of eye, hand and finger coordination enabling the use of automated office machinery or equipment.
• Visual capacity enabling constant use of computer or other work-related equipment.

Below, please list any special physical demands associated with this position. For instance, exposure to hazardous environments, blood borne pathogens, extreme heat/cold, use of power equipment or machinery, wearing of PPE (personal protective equipment).

Definitions:

Occasionally: Activity exists less than 1/3 of the time.

Frequently: Activity exists between 1/3 and 2/3 of the time.

Constantly: Activity exists more than 2/3 of the time.

Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, go to:

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