Placement Specialist

JOB SUMMARY: Professional work coordinating placements for children 0-17 entering foster care in Hillsborough County or needing replacement. This involves an in depth knowledge of available resources as well as the child welfare system, and the aptitude to match a child’s distinctive needs to the least restrictive placement available. Participates in organization’s continuous quality improvement efforts.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Work collaboratively with Child Protective Investigators and assigned case management organizations in completing intake screening for all new children or children requiring replacement. Gather history on child to include but not limited to: Medical, Dental, and Behavioral, Educational, Mental Health, Emotional Health, Trauma history, Likes, dislikes, strengths and needs.
2. Utilize CareMatch to help facilitate placement identification and determine available placement options in the least restrictive level of care. Document all efforts in matching child to most appropriate home. Ensure all facets are considered when deciding on most appropriate placement (IE siblings, child’s home school, removal area, individual needs of child, etc).
3. Complete Match reports within 24 hours of placement.
4. Work in partnership with licensing team/agencies, and residential providers to secure the most appropriate placement for child in care. This includes utilizing the telephone and email to communicate professionally with providers regarding the needs and strengths of a child.
5. Participates, as assigned, in on-call rotation responding to immediate placement needs to include new intakes, as well as emergency situations.
6. Communicate with Transportation unit daily to ensure timely coordination of transportation needs.
7. Attends QPI related events to include but not limited to HCFPA meetings and foster parent appreciation events.   
8. Participate in daily meetings and staffings as assigned to assess the children in need of placement, and begin preplanning for children needing replacement and/or step down.
9. Attends a minimum of one hour of face-to-face supervision each month with immediate supervisor and/or monthly team meetings.
10. Provide post-placement support and assist in coordination of services to help stabilize placement.
11. Performs other duties as assigned.

***THESE ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS ARE NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS A COMPLETE STATEMENT OF ALLDUTIES PERFORMED.  EMPLOYEES WILL BE REQUIRED TO PERFORM OTHER JOB RELATED MARGINAL DUTIES AS REQUIRED***

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONREQUIREMENTS:

Education & Experience:

Minimum of Bachelor’s Degree in social work or a closely related field from an accredited educational institution and at least one (1) year of experience in working with special needs children in a child welfare setting. Relevant case management experience and experience with foster care helpful.

Licenses &Certifications:

• Must possess and maintain a valid Florida driver’s license with no record of criminal driving offense of license suspension. 
• Must possess means of providing job related transportation and show proof of required insurance.  Must be insurable under CHN’s current auto insurance policy.
• Must be able to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends and holidays. 
• Must successfully complete and maintain FDLE clearance, Federal background and state criminal background check and sexual predator screening.

COMPETENCIES & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT:

Annual Training Requirements: The following training topics are required annually: Sexual Harassment, Blood-born Pathogens, Workplace Accident Prevention and Reporting, Confidentiality and Privacy Practices, Diversity/Cultural Competency, Child Abuse and Neglect Mandated Reporter Statutes and Methods, Prevention of Violence in the Workplace, OSHA–related training, Crisis Prevention, and Program Goals. 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of Department of Children and Families rules and regulations regarding the care of children and the specific regulations around foster care and placement.
• Knowledge of childhood development and related mental health processes.
• Knowledge of child abuse or neglect reporting procedures and methods.
• Knowledge of child and family histories, habits, tendencies, general behaviors, etc.
• Knowledge of agency's organizational structure, standard operating procedures, and policies.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships with clients, co-workers, supervisors and other individuals in a diverse arena.
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally, verbally and in writing. 
• Computer skills to include basic knowledge of FSFN, Outlook, Excel, and Word
• Ability to understand, familiarize and apply guidelines and procedures.
• Ability to work independently and utilize critical thinking skills, as well as initiative to maximize ability in meeting deadlines.

 ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL SKILLS:

• Visual: ability to safely operate a motor vehicle, read printed materials, and make observations of physical facilities.
• Hearing: ability to understand and comprehend spoken dialogue in individual and group settings.
• Frequent use of hands.
• Ability to speak clearly and effectively.
• Reasonable accommodation will be made for otherwise qualified individuals with a disability.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

• Works indoors in an office environment.
• Spends periods of time in transit using personal vehicle.
• Works within residential providers and foster families.
• Moderate interaction with children and families.
• Moderate level of potential for exposure to blood borne pathogens; therefore, eligible for Hepatitis B vaccination series.