POSITION DESCRIPTION

POSITION: ICWA Foster Care/Social Worker

DEPARTMENT: Bay Mills Social ServicesGRADE: 11 DOE

REPORTS TO: Social Services DirectorSTATUS: Non-Exempt

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Foster Care/Social Worker provides an important function as protector and monitoring agent of our children through the mandate of the Indian child Welfare Act. In addition, this worker provides the support and direction to promote family reunification, relative placement, or Bay Mills foster Care.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

  1. Following guidelines of the Indian Child Welfare Act, monitors Bay Mills children placed out of the home; monitoring is via monthly face to face contacts and consultation with the foster parents and other workers involved.
  2. Following guidelines of the Indian Child Welfare Act, advocates in Court proceedings and multi-disciplinary meetings for Bay Mills Children in out of home care or at risk of removal from their familiar home.
  3. Composes and submits progress reports to the court on a timely basis.
  4. Provides accurate and timely documentation in client file on encounters with the client and consultation with foster parents, family, placement agency, court, school, and other involved parties.
  5. Provides case planning, case management, and supportive services to Bay Mills children and families receiving foster care or related social services within accepted protocols. If a new situation occurs, develop an acceptable protocol with appropriate sources if none exists.
  6. Licenses, monitors, and nurtures foster care homes for Bay Mills members, following guidelines of Bay Mills and DHS.
  7. Acts as liaison and case coordinator with the placement agency, court and other systems involved with the client with consultation with supervisor prior to making recommendations.
  8. Participates in meetings of the Child Welfare committee, Child Protection Team, and other groups focusing on the needs of children in our community.
  9. Compiles and submits appropriate data and reports as needed.
  10. Participates in training and education related to enhancing job performance and as directed by supervisor.
  11. Provides information and referrals to clients and families.
  12. Performs all functions of the Protective Service worker as necessary.
  13. Other duties may be assigned within the scope and complexity of this position’s essential functions.
  14. Must attend any and all mandatory trainings offered through the Bay Mills Human Resources Training Department.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, and walk. The employee must occasionally bend, squat, crawl, balance, push/pull, and reach above shoulder level with frequent crouching and kneeling. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds with frequent lifting and/or moving up to 10 pounds. The employee’s job requires driving automotive equipment with exposure to dust, fumes, gases, and marked changes in temperature and humidity.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

  1. Must have Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or related field preferred.
  2. Must have one to three years experience in Social Case Management to children and families.
  3. Must have an understanding of the Indian Child Welfare Act to assist at-risk children and families in our community.
  4. Must have knowledge of case management practices necessary to coordinate services to clients.
  5. Must have, or be able to quickly achieve, familiarity with local, state, private, and Tribal agencies in order to develop comprehensive case planning, referrals, and case management to Bay Mills children and families needing these services.
  6. Must have the ability to formulate accurate case plans and Court reports, and appropriately document client-related direct and in-direct services.
  7. Must have the willingness and the capacity to function cooperatively in a variety of team settings.
  8. Must have an understanding of what constitutes child abuse and neglect, and be able to follow proper procedures when children are deemed to be at risk or in need of care.
  9. Must have the ability to engage positively with a wide range of persons and agencies.
  10. Must have flexibility and willingness to be on call 24 hours per day, 7 days a week to respond to after hours crisis situations with clients.
  11. Must have valid drivers license with good driving record.
  12. Must be able to travel when required.
  13. Excellent communication skills required.
  14. Must have an excellent past work record.
  15. The incumbent must be free of any criminal record, relative to their interactions with individuals or communities in accordance to applicable State and Federal laws or requirements.
  16. To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to satisfactorily perform each function listed under the essential functions and physical demands categories of this position description.

PREFERENCE:Preference will be given to those of Native American descent.

CLOSING DATE: OPEN UNTIL FILLED

APPLY TO:Send Cover Letter, Resume and list of professional references to:

Heather Lyons; Recruiter

Bay Mills Human Resources Department

12124 W. Lakeshore Drive

Brimley, MI 49715

Subject: ICWA Foster Care/Social Worker