Resource Family Specialist (51200)

To be considered for any DPHHS Agency position, applicants must complete and submit their application online, as well as upload any required application materials. Successful applicant(s) are required to successfully pass all DPHHS specific background check(s) relevant to each position.

Materials Required of Applicants:

(To be considered in this pool, please submit the following)

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  Cover letter
  
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  Resume
  
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  Professional References:
  
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    Please provide 3 professional references, work relation, and contact number
    
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  Supplemental question(s):
  
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    How has your education and /or work experience prepared you to be successful in this position?
    
    
    

(Please type responses in a Word document and attach to application. HELPFUL HINT: When attaching a document you much check the “relevant document” box to ensure your attachments are uploading correctly to the specific application. Please do not attach more than requested. If you have more than 25 attachments in the system you will need to email these to: hhshumanresources@mt.gov . Failure to attach the required material will conclude in an incomplete application. You must also keep those relevant boxes checked once you submit your application; if you uncheck the box with an active application it will delete the attachment.)



Job Overview: The role of the Resource Family Specialist (RFS) is to develop resource families (foster, kinship, guardianship, adoptive) from initial inquiry about becoming a resource for children in need of homes to recruitment, retention, licensing, problem resolution, technical assistance and case management. The RFS is the division expert in finding families that have the best potential for providing a safe, nurturing and stable environment for children in need of temporary or permanent care.

Major Duties or Responsibilities:



Develops Resource Families

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  Recruits families by a variety of means to ensure adequate family resources for a wide variety of children in need of care.
  
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  Collaborates with tribal agencies in the recruitment of Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) compliant homes.
  
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  Explains licensing policies and procedures, and assists in completing applications.
  
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  Completes initial off-site review, in person assessments of home/residence and family/household members and determines compliance with federal, state and agency health and safety requirements.
  
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  Makes recommendations for approval/licensure including the number, behaviors and needs of children allowed to be in home.
  
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  Determines barriers to licensure and initiates a mitigation plan. Provides resources and assistance to ensure licensure.
  
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  Ensures an adequate supply of families to meet a variety of needs, such as homes best suited for babies, or teens, emergency care, adoption, etc.
  
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  Collaborates in the placement decisions for children (both temporary and permanent) by making direct recommendations for types and nature of placement.
  

Maintains Resource Families

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  Provides technical assistance to families in need of resources such as parenting techniques, compliance with policies and procedures, and licensing issues. Interprets policies, rules and regulations to resolve issues as they arise to ensure the stability of the placement.
  
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  Identifies training needs for resource families to ensure the permancy, safety and well-being of children placed in the home throughout the placement period.
  
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  Develops relationships with tribal agencies in order to serve as a partner in placing Native American children and ensuring the success of those placements.
  
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  Provides family resource expertise in family engagement meetings, permancy team meetings, foster care review meetings and dependency and neglect hearings.
  
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  Conducts reviews as required or necessary to ensure continuing adequacy of resource families.
  
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  Completes post placement evaluations for adoptive hearings in district and tribal court.
  
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  Reports concerns of abuse and collaborates in investigations of child abuse and neglect complaints with Child Protective Services staff in regards to foster homes.
  
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  Investigates licensing violations. Recommends corrective action plans or negative licensing actions.
  

Licensing Due Process

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  Prepares due process and fair hearing correspondence.
  
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  Provides testimony and evidence at fair hearings.
  
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  Provides testimony at district court hearings as required.
  

Other Duties as Assigned.

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  Provides training to agency staff and stakeholders regarding licensure and approval of families/homes
  
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  Participates in compliance audits, reviews and assessments
  
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  Provides input on agency policy and procedures and Participates in agency committees focused on the safety, permanency and well-being of children, their families and agency staff.
  
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  Provides support and supervision of pre-adoptive placements.
  

Physical and Environmental Demands: Office environment with requirements of in-state (and as directed out of state) travel to other CFSD offices and to homes or other youth placement locations statewide at least 50% of the time.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (Behaviors):

Required for the first day of work :

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  Strong knowledge of Child Welfare practices.
  
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  Solid understanding of confidentiality.
  
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  Ability to work independently.
  
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  Ability to work effectively in emotionally charged environments.
  
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  Effective written and oral communication skills.
  
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  Ability to develop cooperative working relationships.
  
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  Ability to analyze diverse and large amounts of information and evaluate results.
  
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  Ability to operate a personal computer and general office equipment as necessary to complete essential functions, including using spreadsheets, word processing, database, email, internet and other computer programs.
  

Qualifications:


Minimum Qualifications (Education and Experience

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  Bachelor’s degree in Human Service’s or a related field.
  
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  One year experience working in professions related to providing services for children or recruitment. Licensing or retention of foster parents.
  
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  Other combinations of directly related education and experience may be considered on a case-by-case basis; however, a bachelor’s degree is required.
  

Eligible Training Assignment:

32,656.00