Permanency Recruitment Specialist

Job Type Full-Time

Position Summary:

• The Permanency Recruitment Specialist works with and provides ongoing support services to children who have an identified permanency plan of adoption/guardianship, and advocates for timely permanency and stability for that child.

Job Duties:

• Identify prospective adoptive/guardianship families through file mining, family finding, intense recruiting efforts, and community/family education, throughout the length of the case.
• Provide adoption recruitment services to achieve permanency for children/youth with emotional, behavioral, trauma and cognitive related needs.
• Collaborate and develop professional relationships with the multi-disciplinary team connected to the child.
• Prepare the youth and families for potential adoption/guardianship.
• Advocate for the children/youth by ensuring the child’s emotional, behavioral, trauma and cognitive related needs are being met through education, advocacy and non-crisis related support.
• Facilitate communication between biological and adoptive/guardianship families.
• Have face-to-face contact with the child as well as professionals and family members involved in the case monthly, at a minimum.
• Complete quarterly written reports for each child on caseload.
• Adhere to the Wendy’s Wonderful Kids (WWK) Child Focused Recruitment Model.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and to delegate them when appropriate.
• Ability to act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.
• Awareness and sensitivity of the organization’s constituents and populations served by employees.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.
• Regular and predictable attendance, and promptness for work.
• Commitment to uphold the mission, vision, values of Lutheran Family Services.
• Support Lutheran Family Services in the organization’s objective to be a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible workplace.

Position Competencies:

• Verbal communication
• Written Communication
• Critical Thinking
• Organizational Skills
• Relationship Builder

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, human services, or related field required.
• At least one year of experience working with children and families preferred. Customer service experience required.
• Knowledge of case management, child welfare system and adoption related issues to include attachment and grief.
• Demonstrated understanding of and ability to work with people of diverse backgrounds.
• Valid driver's license, current auto insurance, and ability to drive for organization business.

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Hybrid work environment (field, in-office, and remote).
• Laptop and company issued cell phone.
• Ability to drive and transport clients within the needed service area.
• Occasional overnight travel (as needed).
• Ability to work flexible schedule including evenings and weekends to meet client needs (as needed).

Lutheran Family Services is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of age, race, religion, color, ethnicity, disability, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin.