Adoption Social Worker-DCFS Eastern Region

Move forward in your career with DCFS by applying for this Adoption Social Worker opportunity! The Eastern Region of the Utah Division of Child & Family Services (DCFS) is seeking a qualified Social Worker to support children and families in the Blanding, Moab, Roosevelt, and Vernal service areas. This position is part of the DCFS Adoptions Team and provides specialized adoption, permanency, post‑adoption, and clinical services to children in DCFS custody and their adoptive families.

The position may be based out of any DCFS Eastern Region office.

• Provide adoption, permanency, and post‑adopt services to children in DCFS custody in the Blanding, Moab, Roosevelt, and Vernal service areas.
• Serve as an adoption, permanency, and post‑adopt specialist by collaborating with DCFS case managers to identify, establish, and support long‑term plans.
• Conduct clinical assessments, utilizing skills learned through in‑person TAC training, to develop individualized permanency and treatment plans for children and families.
• Support children who are resistant to adoption or permanency by helping them explore concerns and understand long‑term support needs.
• Facilitate Raise the Future registration, recruitment efforts, and assessment of adoptive family matches.
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with community partners, placement providers, and adoption agencies.
• Implement Trust‑Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) principles and provide training, coaching, and parenting education to families, staff, and community partners.
• Provide crisis intervention, transition support, and post‑adoption services to adoptive families.
• Assess adoption subsidy needs, present recommendations to committees, and track cases exceeding 18 months in care to address permanency barriers.
• Maintain accurate clinical documentation, case records, and reports in accordance with DCFS and DHHS standards.

• Licensure with the State of Utah as a Certified Social Worker, Associate Clinical Mental Health Counselor, Clinical Mental Health Counselor, Associate Marriage & Family Therapist, Marriage & Family Therapist, Clinical Social Worker, Psychologist or another closely related license is required.
• Master's degree in Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy, or Mental Health Counseling, or active progress toward licensure at the master's level.
• Knowledge of child welfare, adoption, permanency planning, and trauma‑informed clinical practices.
• Ability to conduct clinical assessments, develop treatment and permanency plans, and provide individual, family, and crisis interventions.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including documentation, collaboration with multidisciplinary teams, and court‑related reporting.

• Preference may be given to applicants having at least 2 years experience in child welfare.
• Must have a valid Utah driver's license.
• Some travel required. May require you to use your personal vehicle to perform the duties of this position. All approved mileage driven by using a personal vehicle is reimbursable by State Finance.
• All applications must be submitted online. Resumes emailed will not be accepted as an application. Only individuals invited to interview will be notified.
• This position may be based out of any DCFS Eastern Region office.

• High Risks – Risks found in potentially dangerous or unusual environmental stress situations, e.g. working at great heights, working in extreme outdoor weather conditions, being subject to possible physical attack, etc.

• Moderate – Work may require some physical exertion. May require the ability to stand; walk over rough surfaces; bend, crouch, stoop, stretch, reach, lift moderately heavy items (up to 50 lbs.) (lifting a small child) in a recurring manner and/or for long periods of time.