Adoptions Specialist​/Case Manager-RPACS

Adoption Specialist/Case Manager-RPACS

Full-time (37.5 hrs work week) —
Christiansburg

JOB SUMMARY: The Adoption Specialist/Case Manager - RPACS will provide supportive services to adoptive families post-finalization to strengthen and maintain adoptive placements and prevent adoption disruption and dissolution. DePaul, in partnership with subcontractor Commonwealth Catholic Charities, offers a wide range of free support services to children and families once the goal of permanency is achieved. The Adoption Specialist/Case Manager for this program must understand the unique dynamics and challenges of families formed by adoption and then tailor support to the current needs of each family.

Primary activities and responsibilities may include referrals and resource sharing, education and training for families, planning and facilitating family activities, planning and leadership of parent and youth discussion groups, and connecting families to adoption-competent clinical services. The Adoption Specialist/Case Manager – RPACS provides support and crisis intervention when evolving family circumstances threaten adoption stability.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED: The Adoption Specialist Case Manager RPACS will report directly to the Western Region Adoption Supervisor.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES: This list is not an exhaustive & all-inclusive list of job responsibilities. The distribution of time allotted for any function or duty is subject to change with or without notice. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign other responsibilities to this job or reassign them elsewhere at any time.

• Perform strengths-based individualized intake, assess ongoing child and family strengths/needs post-adoption, and develop more detailed individualized service plans when warranted
• Provide families with specialized services that address core adoption issues, including information and referral, education, support, crisis management, and advocacy
• Plan, coordinate, and facilitate adoptive family and child support groups, fun family activities, and opportunities for respite to enhance family connection with the broader adoptive community and natural supports
• Prepare and maintain case records and reports according to program and grant standards concerning timeliness, content, accuracy, and confidentiality
• Collaborate with supervisor, adoption team members, other DePaul staff across programs, and community partners to optimize services and program outcomes
• Serve on multi-agency groups or deliver occasional adoption competence education to the community to enhance community-wide support of adoptive families
• Complete other duties as assigned

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES & OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

REQUIRED:

Knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics or KSAOs are attributes needed to perform a job that are demonstrated through qualifying training, education, and experience. This list is not an exhaustive & all-inclusive list of all KSAOs for this job.

Knowledge of:

• Office and records administration techniques and procedures
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar
• Microsoft Office Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Outlook, Sharepoint, Teams, and virtual meeting applications such as Zoom, Web Ex, Google Meet
• DePaul's policies, procedures, and standard practices and the rules and guidelines established by regulatory and governing agencies
• Relevant policies, procedures, and strategies to promote the safety and protection of people, data, and property
• Office procedures and spelling, grammar, punctuation, and arithmetic
• Policies, procedures, and guidelines established by DePaul, professional organizations, governing agencies, and local laws, statutes, regulations, codes, and standards related to the area of responsibility
• Motor vehicle operations, traffic rules and regulations, and maintenance of motor vehicles

Skill/Ability to:

• Demonstrate interpersonal and verbal skills to defuse emotional situations, calm upset individuals, allay fears, and lessen confusion.
• Give full attention to what other people are saying, take time to understand the points being made, ask questions as appropriate, and not interrupt at inappropriate times
• Demonstrate verbal and written communication and body language that purveys professional composure, emotional intelligence, thoughtfulness, patience, and respect amidst change, ambiguity, and within the daily trajectories of work
• Operate standard office equipment such as telephone, calculator, printer, scanner, cellular phone, tablet, computer, postage machine, shredder
• Collect and analyze data
• Manage multiple priorities and complete assignments on time, accurately, and with attention to detail, and ensure a high-quality work product
• Develop and maintain professional working relationships and appropriate boundaries with individuals served, coworkers, management, community partners, and business associates, and work…