Adoptions Specialist Case Manager RPACS - Christiansburg, United States - DePaul Community Resources

Description

Adoption Specialist Case Manager - RPACS Full-time Christiansburg, VA

JOB SUMMARY:

The Adoption Specialist/Case Manager - RPACS will provide supportive services to adoptive families post-finalization to strengthen and maintain adoptive placements and prevent adoption disruption and dissolution. DePaul, in partnership with subcontractor Commonwealth Catholic Charities, offers a wide range of free support services to children and families once the goal of permanency is achieved. The adoption specialist/case manager for this program must understand the unique dynamics and challenges of families formed by adoption and then tailor support to the current needs of each family. Primary activities and responsibilities may include referrals and resource sharing, education and training for families, planning and facilitation of fun family activities, planning and leadership of parent and youth discussion groups, and connecting families to adoption-competent clinical services. The Adoption Specialist/Case Manager – RPACS provides support and crisis intervention when evolving family circumstances threaten adoption stability.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED:

The Adoption Specialist Case Manager RPACS will report directly to the Adoption Supervisor.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES:

This list is not an exhaustive & all-inclusive list of job responsibilities. The distribution of time allotted for any function or duty is subject to change with or without notice. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign other responsibilities to this job or reassign them elsewhere at any time.

Perform strengths-based individualized intake, assess ongoing child and family strengths/needs post-adoption, and develop more detailed individualized service plans when warranted.

Provide families with specialized services that address core adoption issues, including information and referral, education, support, crisis management, and advocacy.

Plan, coordinate, and facilitate adoptive family and child support groups, fun family activities, and opportunities for respite to enhance family connection with the broader adoptive community and natural supports.

Prepare and maintain case records and reports according to program and grant standards concerning timeliness, content, accuracy, and confidentiality.

Collaborate with supervisor, adoption team members, other DePaul staff across programs, and community partners to optimize services and program outcomes.

Serve on multi-agency groups or deliver occasional adoption competence education to the community to enhance community-wide support of adoptive families.

Complete other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES & OTHER CHARACTERISTICS REQUIRED:

Knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics or KSAOs are attributes needed to perform a job that is demonstrated through qualifying training, education, and experience. This list is not an exhaustive & all-inclusive list of all KSAOs for this job.

Knowledge of:

Office and records administration techniques and procedures

The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar

Microsoft Office Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Outlook, Sharepoint, Teams, and virtual meeting applications such as Zoom, WebEx, Google Meet

DePaul's policies, procedures, and standard practices and the rules and guidelines established by regulatory and governing agencies

Relevant policies, procedures, and strategies to promote the safety and protection of people, data, and property

Office procedures and spelling, grammar, punctuation, and arithmetic

Policies, procedures, and guidelines established by DePaul, professional organizations, governing agencies, and local laws, statutes, regulations, codes, and standards related to the area of responsibility

Motor vehicle operations, traffic rules and regulations, and maintenance of motor vehicles

Skill in:

The use of interpersonal and verbal skills to defuse emotional situations, calm upset individuals, allay fears, and lessen confusion.

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times

Verbal and written communication and body language that purveys professional composure, emotional intelligence, thoughtfulness, patience, and respect amidst change, ambiguity, and within the daily trajectories of work

Using standard office equipment such as telephone, calculator, printer, scanner, cellular phone, tablet, laptop, postage machine, shredder

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems

Collecting and analyzing data

Using computer applications including spreadsheets, databases, word processing, email, internet, and online meeting software

Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions

Determining how money will be spent to get the work done and accounting for these expenditures

Completing assignments accurately and with attention to detail

Monitoring/assessing the performance of self, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action

Verbal and nonverbal communication that purveys respect and inclusion when interacting with those who are racially, culturally, or identify differently from oneself

Managing multiple priorities and completing assignments on time, accurately, and with attention to detail

Developing and maintaining professional working relationships and appropriate boundaries with individuals served, coworkers, community partners, and business associates

Ability to:

Work collaboratively within a team environment and build strategic relations with community partners, co-workers, management, and business associates

Communicate effectively in both oral and written form

Handle difficult and stressful situations with professional composure

Make arithmetical computations and tabulations

Operate a personal computer with a general understanding of MS Office Suites, virtual meeting software, the Internet, and department or program-specific software

Develop objectives, evaluate effectiveness, and assess service plans for individuals served

Train others

Assist with the general upkeep and cleaning of office areas and agency vehicles

Accurately prepare and maintain records, files, and reports

Diffuse and respond effectively to situations involving intense pressures and/or unpredictable persons

Analyze, organize and prioritize work while meeting multiple deadlines

Meet goals and objectives identified in evaluation and work plans

React quickly and calmly in emergencies

Explain policies and procedures to staff and the public

Effectively market the programs and services of the department

Work in racially, culturally, and diverse identity groups toward a common goal by involving, including, and valuing others

Exercise sound judgment and critical thinking in decision-making and solving various work-related situations

Learn policies, procedures, and guidelines established by DePaul, professional organizations, governing agencies, and local laws, statutes, regulations, codes, and standards related to the area of responsibility

Read and understand information and ideas presented in writing

Other Characteristics:

Demonstrate self-awareness, ongoing self-evaluation, and a commitment to being part of a diverse, equitable, respectful, and inclusive workplace where all people are valued

Demonstrate professional composure in difficult and stressful situations

Demonstrate the FIRST (fairness, integrity, respect, safety, trust) values in the daily trajectories of work

Demonstrate professionalism regarding access to sensitive and confidential information related to employees, clients, and business records with no disclosure to others without needing to know

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO APPLY:

A Bachelor's degree with one year experience providing casework services to children or families. Experience as a foster/adoptive parent could substitute for formal casework experience.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described herein represent those an employee encounters while performing the position's essential functions. The employee regularly works in an office environment and occasionally in the field. Due to the nature of the work, the incumbent may be exposed to situations of a highly emotional nature; incumbents are expected to use verbal skills to resolve interpersonal situations to achieve desired results independently. Incumbents are exposed to various living situations and lifestyles. Work is generally completed regularly during weekdays; however, daily work hours will vary. Participation in an on-call rotation and completion of job duties outside of normally scheduled hours is required. Work is subject to frequent interruptions, and noise levels are varied based on the work locations.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The physical demands described herein are representative of those that an employee in this position must meet, with or without reasonable accommodations, to perform the essential functions successfully. Physical activities required are finger dexterity necessary to operate equipment used in the position, effective communication and seeing or hearing verbal cues. Walking for up to sixty-seven percent of the time, sitting up to sixty-seven percent of the time, bending/stooping for up to sixty-seven percent of the time, lifting/pushing/pulling no more than twenty pounds, and minimal unassisted lifting associated with the job duties are required. When accessing various locations, the incumbent must climb stairs and ramps. This position requires driving to various locations approximately ten to twenty percent of the employee's working time. Public transportation may not be available. Individuals needing reasonable accommodations should speak with their immediate supervisor/hiring manager.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS:

A driving record/history check, Criminal and Child Protective Services Background Report, and Drug Test are required. An unsatisfactory result of any of the aforementioned will terminate the application process.

NOTE:

This description provides information regarding the essential functions of the designated job and the general nature and level of work associated with the job. It should not be interpreted to describe all the duties whose performance may be required of such employees or be used to limit the nature and extent of assignments such an individual may be given.

Compensation depends on qualifications and experience.

DePaul is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

E-Verify Participant.