Adoptions & Permanency Worker - Full time

Job Description

Job Description

Northern Children's Services Wins the 2026 Top Workplaces Culture Excellence Award and the 2026 Top Workplaces Professional Development Award For more information, visit -children-s-serv/

Join our team as a Full-time Adoptions and Permanency Worker and help make a difference in the lives of children, youth, and families!

Are you passionate about supporting the healthy development of children, youth, and families for a brighter future?
Look no further! At Northern Children’s Services (Northern), every role in the organization contributes to helping us achieve our mission and vision.

We believe that every child and youth has the potential to transform themselves – no matter their background or life situation.
We work to “walk the talk” when it comes to our organizational values: Excellence, Respect, Resilience, Cultural Humility & Justice, Healing, and Wellness.

Why Choose Us? As a FT Adoptions and Permanency Worker, you’ll embark on a fulfilling journey!

• Leadership Opportunity
• Supportive Environment
• Empowerment and Progress
• Effective Communication
• Empowerment Through Planning
• Continuous Monitoring and Progress
• Documentation Excellence
• Networking and Collaboration

Top Work Place 2026 For more information, visit

Benefits:

• We offer comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance for full-time employees.
• Life Insurance/AD&D and LTD: We provide full-time employees with a $20,000 life insurance policy through Mutual of Omaha Company at no cost. Additionally, Mutual of Omaha LTD coverage and AD&D insurance offer financial security to our employees and their families.
• Our partner insurance company offers a range of self-funded insurance plans, including accident insurance, cancer insurance, life insurance, critical illness coverage, and short-term disability insurance, providing additional financial protection to our employees.
• 401(k) Retirement Plan: We offer a 401(k)-savings plan with a generous matching contribution after one year of employment.
• Paid Leave: Employees have access to generous paid time off or sick leave, allowing them to prioritize their health and well-being.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Our EAP offers confidential referral and counseling services to help employees and their families manage life's challenges, including stress management, legal and financial concerns, depression, and substance abuse.
• Legal Services: Self-funded legal services provide valuable support and resources for various legal matters.

Qualifications You Bring:

• Expertise
• Physical Capabilities
• Trauma-Informed Approach

At Northern Children’s Services, Inc., we value diversity, inclusion, and the well-being of every individual. Join us in our mission to empower children and families, one meaningful interaction at a time. Apply today and be a part of something truly extraordinary!

Northern Children's Services supports the healthy development of children and youth, while stabilizing their families to build stronger communities. Everything we do at Northern Children's Services is designed to create a better future for our families.

Summary:

Adoption/Permanency Worker

Under the direction of the Supervisor or Director of Adoptions/Permanency, the Adoptions/Permanency Worker is responsible for providing comprehensive case management to youth and families pursuing adoption or permanency. It is the responsibility of the Worker to provide adoptive families with consultation and training regarding the adoption process. It is the expectation of the Supervisor/ Director that the Adoptions Worker assists in ensuring continuous program compliance through the completion of timely submission of SWAN units, adhering to changing policies as it pertains to the duties of the program, and effectively managing a caseload of SWAN units consisting of – Child Profiles, Family Profiles, Family Matching, Placement, Child Preparation, Child Specific Recruitment, Adoption Finalization, and Post-Permanency Services.

THE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THIS POSITION CONSIST OF:

Communication

• Clearly and effectively communicates all pertinent information to all involved parties as required by state and local regulations and agency standards. Such information is not limited to scheduled consumer meetings, appointments, and visits.
• Advocates for the needs of the consumer and resource family to obtain needed resources.
• Participates in weekly supervision with Adoptions/Permanency Supervisor or Director.

Documentation

• Completes all required documentation that coincides with the specific SWAN unit timeframe. in a timely manner.
• Document all case contact with identified consumer, birth family, kinship/resource parents, and other relevant parties on a weekly basis, through the SWAN portal time and cost of specific SWAN unit in using agency guidelines and format.

Case Planning

• Schedules file reviews and visits at times convenient for all involved parties.
• Manages time to complete both direct service requirements, paperwork and prepare for meetings.
• Works jointly with other agencies to ensure continuity of service on behalf of the consumer and resource family.
• Prepares adequately for weekly supervision to ensure case reviews occur on a consistent basis.

Professional Growth

• Attends and completes all required trainings and pursues other training for professional growth.
• Represents the agency at SWAN quarterlies, conference meetings and trainings.
• Participate in performance improvement activities.

Completes other Duties as assigned

BASIC SKILL SETS

• Good working knowledge of the Child Welfare System. Knowledge of and ability to navigate other systems.
• Working knowledge of the use of computers and pertinent software programs.
• Ability to read and understand complex instructions such as regulatory policies.
• Ability to give clear and concise oral and written instructions.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to communicate and interact with all staff.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, consumers, vendors, and the public.

Qualifications

Education:
Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work or related field required; with 1-2 years’ experience in related field highly Preferred

Experience:
Experience working in child welfare for 1-2 years preferred and possess knowledge of trauma related issues regarding children living outside their birth family.

Trauma-Informed Principles

Northern Children’s Services is committed to fostering a therapeutic environment rooted in safety, nonviolence, and resilience. Our policies are guided by trauma-informed principles, ensuring that we create a supportive and healing atmosphere for clients and staff.

A trauma-informed approach recognizes that past experiences, including trauma, can significantly impact a person’s behavior, emotions, and interactions.

Therefore, we strive to:

• Use emotional intelligence : Respond with empathy and awareness, even in difficult situations.
• Communicate effectively : Listen actively, ask clarifying questions, and avoid judgmental language.
• Understand trauma’s impact : Be aware that clients or colleagues may react based on past experiences, not just the present moment.
• Apply person-first, strengths-based language : Focus on people’s strengths and abilities rather than defining them by their challenges (e.g., saying "a person experiencing homelessness" instead of "a homeless person").

By adhering to these principles, we ensure that our workplace is not only effective but also compassionate and inclusive for everyone.

Americans with Disabilities: As with all positions at Northern Children’s Services, Inc. we recognize the importance of accommodations individuals with disabilities. In that, we are committed to every extent possible accommodating disabled individual. We recognize the American with Disabilities Act of 1991 and understand the need to reasonably accommodate employees. All accommodation will be evaluated on a case- by case basis, evaluating the essential functions of the positions.

DISCRIMINATION IS PROHIBITED IN EMPLOYMENT, PROMOTION, ASSIGNMENT OR DISMISSAL, ON THE BASIS OF RACE, RELIGION, COLOR, AGE, SEX, NATIONAL ORIGIN, and HANDICAP, OR RECEIPT OF SERVICES FOR MENTAL DISABILITY.