Foster Care/Adoption Family Recruiter

Requisition #: req9573

Location: Harrisburg, PA or York, PA or Lancaster, PA

Hours: Full-time (40-hours/week)

Bethany is changing the world through family. We began our work by serving one child more than 75 years ago. Today, Bethany is an international Christian nonprofit partnering with communities in more than 30 states and in several countries around the world. We strengthen and preserve families, support displaced people fleeing danger, and find safe, loving families for children who need them. Bethany is at the forefront of creating and implementing solutions to meet the growing needs of vulnerable children and families in the U.S. and around the world.

The Resource Family Development Specialist will be primarily responsible for recruiting, training, assessing, and licensing resource homes. This individual will also be responsible for coordinating foster care placements and matching, along with overseeing resource parent orientation and training, retention and advocacy, and involvement in community foster parent coalitions. Success in this role will be demonstrated by supporting resource parents through all aspects of placement.

ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Recruit, assess, and license resource homes within this program;
• Administer the re-licensing process to include but not limited to completing the annual evaluations, coordinating transfers and/or relocations, and resource home closures;
• Promptly investigate complaints related to resource homes and work cooperatively with law enforcement and child protective services (CPS), when necessary;
• Administer the post-placement follow-up process on resource homes;
• Work collaboratively with the assigned Case Manager and/or other child placement agencies during the placement process;
• Maintain and update the current available homes and on-call list;
• Coordinate placement plans with the Foster Care Supervisor for Bethany’s potential resource home(s);
• Facilitate the orientation preservice training for resource home requirements;
  
• Coordinate the respite program process and facilitate the substitute care process, as needed;
• Develop, coordinate, and facilitate on-going resource parent training;
• Serve as a resource to Case Managers on resource home issues or problems;
• Actively participate in resource parent activities and meetings;
• Assist with coordinating special events to include but not limited to Resource Parent Appreciation Dinner;
• Develop and distribute written materials for resource parents, such as brochures and handbooks;
• Attend local coalition meetings;
• Demonstrate flexibility with working hours outside of the normal business hours to meet the needs of the families.
• Complete other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s level degree in Human Services or equivalent from an accredited college;
• Must demonstrate excellent interviewing, perceptual, diagnostic, and family assessment skills;
• Must be a team player and collaborative;
• Must have an ability to analyze and think critically about issues and solutions;
• Knowledge of office practices, procedures and business equipment;
• Must have an ability to work flexible work hours to meet family needs;
• Must be a self-starter with an ability to work independently;
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills;
• Computer and typing skills sufficient to perform essential job functions;
• Active motor vehicle license and a reliable vehicle with adequate insurance coverage;
• Pass a criminal history screen, including state and local child protection agency registries;
• Subscription to and integration of the agency Statement of Faith, Mission Statement, and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Commitment.

We value and embrace the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion; our culture is strengthened and our workplace is more dynamic. We are a global organization with multicultural staff, clients and stakeholders, so we strive to create a workplace that reflects the communities we serve and where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work. More work remains, but we are deeply committed to honestly acknowledging and addressing the impacts of race and racism throughout the organization. This work can be uncomfortable and even painful, but we believe that the greatest challenges bear the greatest rewards.