Govt. ACFS Family Services Specialist - Child Welfare

POSITION SUMMARY:

The ACFS Family Services Specialist is responsible for overseeing various professional assignments to provide services to socially and/or economically disadvantaged individuals in programs administered by ACFS Child Placement Services. Caseworker-Family Services Specialist carries a caseload consisting of family support services, child and adult protection services, and ICWA Monitoring services.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: (includes, but is not limited to, the following)

• Completes program-specific paperwork within established time frames.
• Maintains client files according to program and funding guidelines.
• Provides 24-hour crisis intervention.
• Provides on-call services.
• Responds to critical situations involving children and families within defined time frames
• Evaluates the safety of living environments through home visits and client interviews.
• Completes risk assessments with the family to determine individual strengths and needs and makes appropriate recommendations for services based on assessment results.
• Identifies placement resources for children involved in child protection cases.
• Prepares and files court petitions in protective services and in-home care cases according to Tribal and State laws.
• Testifies in court hearings as required.
• Adheres to court orders by formulating a social services plan, supervising the family’s rehabilitative progress, and reporting to the court on any significant changes in case activity.
• Reviews the behavioral, medical, and educational needs of each child referred for placement at specified intervals and other times as needed.
• Prepares and presents information to the Sault Tribe Child Welfare Committee.
• Serves as a Qualified Expert Witness and a Tribal Representative as needed.
• Provide specialized knowledge and case consultation per the Indian Child Welfare Act, the Michigan Indian Family Preservation Act, and other various state and federal laws that pertain to child welfare court processes.
• Provides in-home supportive services, education, counseling, community resource linkage, referral, advocacy, and other social service interventions to families and children.
• Conducts forensic interviews.
• Completes a monthly narrative and statistical report.
• Implement and ensure compliance with various Federal and State Laws and Sault Ste. Marie Tribal Code.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES: (includes, but is not limited to, the following)

• Develops and implements effective and culturally sensitive strategies for outreach to the Native American Community.
• Establishes lasting networks and collaborations with tribal and community resources.
• Attends and participates in departmental staff meetings and related activities. 
• Attends workshops, conferences, and classes to increase professional knowledge.
• Serves on projects and committees as assigned.
• Serves as a resource person, responding to requests for information and assistance.
• Administers breathalyzer tests and drug screens as needed.
• Evaluates home and community-based situations for worker safety and follows best practices when working in volatile environments.

CONTACTS:

Immediate peers, peers in other departments, immediate supervisor/manager, managers in other departments, customers, outside vendors/service providers, and court and law enforcement officials.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Position medium with the lifting of 50 pounds maximum and frequent lifting/carrying up to 25 pounds. Physical factors include constant use of hearing, smell, near/midrange/far vision, depth perception, and field of vision; frequent standing, walking, sitting, bending, typing, and driving in and during inclement weather; occasional carrying/lifting, pushing/pulling, climbing, stooping, kneeling, reaching, manual handling, and use of color vision. Working conditions include frequent exposure to weather, extreme heat/cold, wet/humidity, noise, and air quality. Potential hazards include frequent client contact, infectious exposure, computer use, occasional exposure to moving mechanical parts, electric shock, needles/syringes, and equipment use. Positions provide home-based services, and most work occurs within client homes/communities. At times these environments can be volatile due to drug/alcohol use, criminal behavior, or behavioral health needs.

REQUIREMENTS:

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services area: Social Work, Sociology, Psychology, Family Ecology, Consumer/Community Services, Family Studies or Child Development, Guidance/School Counseling Psychology, Criminal Justice, Human Services, or in another major where 25% of the course credits earned toward the degree are in human behavioral sciences required.

Experience: One year of experience working with children and families preferred.

Certification/License: Will be required to undergo and successfully pass a background check. Must maintain a good moral character standing. Must have a valid driver’s license and be insurable by the Sault Tribe Insurance Department. Must comply with annual driver’s license review and insurability standards with the Sault Tribe Insurance Department. Must complete Forensic Interviewing training and show proficiency in implementing forensic interviewing protocol. Must comply with the Sault Tribe’s Drug-Free Workplace Policy which may include random drug tests.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Must be able to handle potentially hostile clients and adversarial situations. Must be able to confront and redirect inappropriate client behavior. Must be able to travel. Must have reliable transportation. Must be able to establish appropriate relationships and boundaries with clients. Must be flexible and available to work various shifts including nights, weekends, and holidays. Responsible for performing position responsibilities in a professional and courteous manner, sustaining professionalism under duress, and maintaining positive working relationships and communications with internal and external contacts. Must be able to establish and maintain effective communication with co-workers, supervisors, guests, and clients. Must have working knowledge and be able to use word processing and spreadsheet and database software. Must be able to work with minimal to no supervision. Must be able to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing, in a diverse range of audiences and settings. Must be able to work in a high-stress environment and handle difficult situations. Must have organizational skills and be able to plan, prioritize and manage workload to meet goals in a timely manner. Must be able to prepare clear, concise, thorough, meaningful, and grammatically correct written reports, letters, memoranda, policy and procedure drafts, and other written documents. Must adhere to department operating policies and procedures and safe work practices and procedures. Must have the skills, knowledge, and ability to be approved to testify as a qualified expert witness/tribal representative in various courts across the county. Must demonstrate skills and specialized knowledge related to Chapter 30 Child Welfare Code, the Indian Child Welfare Act, the Michigan Indian Family Preservation Act, and other various state and federal laws that pertain to child welfare court processes. Must maintain strict confidentiality. Native American preferred.

This job description outlines the general scope and level of responsibilities associated with the position. It is not intended to be an employment contract, nor does it represent a comprehensive list of all duties, responsibilities, or requirements. The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians reserves the right to modify, add, reassign, or combine job duties or positions, in whole or in part, at any time.