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International Adoption Caseworker

Job Title: International Adoption Caseworker
Location: Indian Trail, NC
Method to Apply: Company site: bchcareers.org
 
SUMMARY
Christian Adoption Services (CAS) is a ministry of the Baptist Children's Homes of NC (BCH). The International Adoption Caseworker will be responsible for supporting and expanding the CAS international adoption program with professional services in the areas of case management and program development. This position will also support other international adoption programs as opportunities are identified by the organization's Executive Director of International Adoptions. 
 
QUALIFICATIONS:
Education and Experience:
• Master's degree in social work from a school accredited by the Association of Colleges and Schools OR
• Bachelor's degree in a human services field from an accredited college or university and one year directly related experience; OR
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and two years directly related experience.
* Directly related experience is defined as human services experience in the areas of case management, assessment, and referral, supportive counseling, intervention, psycho-social therapy, and treatment planning. It is also defined as prior experience in family and children's services, adoption, or intercountry adoption.
 
Other:
• Professes to be Christian believer and submits an individual Statement of Faith and Acknowledgement and Pledge
• Has no criminal record, medical, or social history that would adversely affect his or her ability to work with children and adults
• Demonstrates sufficient resilience so as to be able to perform sensitive duties assisting children and families that may or may not have experienced trauma
• Demonstrates support for the philosophy and goals of Christian Adoption Services, Inc (CAS) and Baptist Children's Homes of N.C. (BCH)
• Demonstrates conduct that is professional and in accordance with CAS and BCH
• Demonstrates highly ethical decision making that in all cases prioritizes the best interest of children
• He or she also must have good organizational skills and to be able to carry out his or her duties in a timely manner
• Must have the capability to manage, plan, organize, implement, monitor, and maintain agency programs as well as adhere to accreditation standards and North Carolina and South Carolina licensing requirements
• Meets the general qualifications for employment as outlined in the institution's personnel policies
• Meets travel requirements to and within other countries served by the organization and position, including any vaccination mandates of those countries.
 
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Assist and support adoptive families as they seek to adopt orphans living internationally
• Travels to other countries participating in this adoption program
• Provide general information and orientation to prospective adoptive families
• Process new applications in the e-Adopt program and set up a file in paper form and on the agency drive
• Assess acceptability to the program
• Supervise applicants in the preplacement assessment process and dossier development
• Manage all supportive documents on behalf of the family
• Manage coordination throughout the adoption process to families and stakeholders
• Communicate any necessary information regarding families and the programs to the supervisor
• Review files on children available for adoption and consideration of prospective adoptive
• Provide child-specific training to prospective adoptive parents
• Network, coordinate, and collaborate with stakeholders and supervised providers
• Assist in filing of applications with USCIS
• Manage family's preparation for placement
• Ongoing communication with international liaisons as well as supervision of services
• Manage pre-placement/update reports, post-placement/post-adoption reports
• Conduct monthly supervision meetings and reports with families in post-placement to provide support and ensure the placement remains in the child's best interest
• Conduct monthly supervision meetings and reports with families in post-adoption and provide needed support
• Explore new international adoption programs and assist in seeking authorization in other countries
• Serve as a member of the Adoption Committee for all international program home studies as well as other home studies as requested by the Home Study Services Supervisor
• Ensure compliance with state licensing standards and Hague guidelines
• Ongoing enhancement of professional skills through education job-related training. Annually acquiring a minimum of 24 hours of professional training in adoption-related matters, as documented in the Employee Manual
• Manage international file closures at the end of the adoption process
• Review closed files within the agency
• Other duties as assigned by the Executive Director of International Adoptions
 
Supervision:
• Prepares for and participates in regular supervisory conferences
• Participates in 90-day and annual staff performance evaluations
• Keeps supervisor informed on the current status of total work responsibilities
• Task Supervisor for MSW Interns
• Participate in quarterly calls with liaisons
 
Policies and Procedures:
• Represents the agency's philosophy, purpose, and programs to groups, individuals, and referral agencies in a professional and objective manner
• Complies with and conduct themselves in accordance with the North Carolina and South Carolina Licensing Rules for Child Placing Agencies, the Hague Convention of Intercountry Adoption, and the NASW Code of Ethics
• Carries out all duties in accordance with the rules and regulations established by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, the South Carolina Department of Social Services, the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption, Christian Adoption Services, Inc. and Baptist Children's Homes of N.C. policies and procedures (specifically the CAS Employee Manual and CAS Program
Policies and Procedures Manual Professionalism/Teamwork:
• Demonstrates knowledge of and ability to work as a member of the Adoption Services team
• Has knowledge of and supports the roles of other team members
• Respects the right of the team to be involved with the child and his/her family
• Shares with their team members information necessary for adoption decision making
• Participates as a team member in team meetings and other staff meetings
• Participates in ongoing monitoring of the effectiveness of the team's functioning
• Researches and conducts staff training on appropriate subjects as assigned
• Respects the cultural and socioeconomic diversity of staff members and children in care and strives to create a positive relationship within CAS and BCH
 
KNOWLEDGE AND TRAINING: Obtains a minimum of 24 hours annual professional training related to current and emerging adoption practice issues
 
EQUIPMENT: Ability to work with general office equipment such as computers and electronic communication devices, and operate necessary software as appropriate for the work. Must be able to drive motor vehicles of various configurations so as to perform the above-stated duties.

LANGUAGE SKILLS: Ability to read, write and complete necessary documentation. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from coworkers, service recipients, licensing, accrediting entities, and other oversight contacts, and various other stakeholders, in a variety of situations and formats.

CONTACT WITH OTHERS: Regular contact with colleagues in all departments, as well as with outside individuals and groups; should represent Christian Adoption Services, Inc. and Baptist Children's Homes of N.C. in a positive manner. Contacts outside of the agency where proper handling of situations is of utmost importance as the agencies' image could be affected.

MENTAL / VISUAL / AUDITORY DEMAND: Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form and ability to draw conclusions. Must be able to productively relate to and interact with individuals facing a variety of mental and emotional health situations such as are involved with providing Christian Adoption Services and Baptist Children's Homes of N.C. programming. Must recognize and demonstrate sufficient resiliency so as to be effective in serving such program participants.

CONFIDENTIAL DATA: Complies with agency policies and procedures concerning confidentiality and HIPAA regulations involving all aspects of client information, case records, family information, medical information, psychological services, etc., which, if disclosed, would have adverse internal and/or external effects, and could result in termination of employment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties of the job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to drive and get in and out of a vehicle unassisted, walk up and down stairs, sit, stand, reach, talk and/or hear, and lift up to 15 lbs.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee would encounter in any home or office environment; the work could require activities in non-agency owned or operated buildings where environmental circumstances are outside of Christian Adoption Services' and Baptist Children's Homes' control. Outdoor work may be involved as appropriate, and temperature and other environmental factors may vary in such circumstances