Foster Youth Independent Living Case Worker

Summary:

Are you interested in helping teenagers in the foster care system achieve greater independence? The Independent Living program is looking for a dedicated individual to join our team, providing services to foster youth and young adults in areas such as education, employment, housing, and life skills.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Direct services are provided in Fallon and Winnemucca and surrounding areas, which includes the following expectations:

• Provide case management and monetary assistance to foster youth and former foster youth ages 14-21 under the John H. Chafee and Financial Assistance for Former Foster Youth (FAFFY) funding through the Department of Child and Family Services for The State of Nevada.
• Provide monitoring, case management, and monetary assistance to former foster youth 18-21 who are participating in the Extended Young Adult Support Services Program (EYASSP), which is Nevada's Extended Foster Care (EFC) program.
• Determine client needs by completing assessments and developing a strengths-based plan with each foster youth. Case management includes, but is not limited to: promptly contacting and responding to requests for services; identifying strengths and barriers; establishing unique goals and objectives; and following up consistently regarding progress and youth needs.
• Assist youth in-person, over the phone, or virtually on video platforms with specific tasks related to education, employment, housing, money management, health, and permanency. Engage youth and utilize motivational interviewing techniques.
• Participate in monthly Child and Family Team (CFT) meetings and other meetings as required.
• Make referrals and collaborate with community partners and other agencies.
• Facilitate life skills workshops, community events, and activities.
• Create and update educational materials such as presentations and promotional materials such as brochures and flyers.
• Maintain files, prepare reports, and accurately document client interactions and services in the UNITY and eLogic Genesis databases. Meet stringent deadlines as set forth by federal, state, and agency mandates.
• Continuously participate in program evaluation activities that include tracking and compiling process and outcome data, identifying challenges, and implementing solutions.
• Complete tasks both independently and in a team environment.
• Travel to outlying areas and carry a work cell phone while in the field and for afterhours contacts as needed. May be required to work flexible hours including nights and weekends.
• Perform related duties as required.
• The ideal candidate would live in Fallon or Winnemucca and be able to work from home.

Employment Standards:

Any combination of education and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge, skills, and abilities would be:

1. Education: A bachelor's or master's degree* from an accredited college or university in social work, family studies, sociology, behavioral sciences, or related field is preferred.

*Applicants that lack a bachelor's or master's degree will be considered as Family Advocate I. Applicants with a degree will be considered as Family Advocate II.

2. Experience: One (1) year professional experience working with foster youth or a closely related field.

3. Knowledge: Must have knowledge in regarding children and their behavior at various stages in life; the problems facing children, youth, and families in contemporary environments; case management, including community resource coordination, and crisis management experience; appropriate techniques for working with children, youth and families; and basic techniques for coordinating and facilitating programs and services/activities.

Experience working with children in the foster care system is preferred.

4. Skills: Working with the youth, families and the public in a professional manner; work closely with others and speaking in front of small groups; being a self-starter; working with and engaging a diverse and challenging population with differing needs; ability to express ideas clearly, both orally and in writing; and performing mathematical/statistical analysis is preferred. Computer literacy required.

Bilingual in Spanish and English is a plus but not required.

5. Licenses/Certificates: Professional Licensed Social Worker license is preferred, but not required.

Requirements:

• Be able to work some evenings and weekends.
• Have reliable transportation to client's homes, schools, meetings, etc.
• Must be willing to transport foster youth to appointments.
• Must be willing to submit to a background investigation and State of Nevada Central Registry, which includes fingerprinting.
• Possession of a valid State of Nevada driver's license with an acceptable driving record.
• Must be willing to adhere to ethical standards of conduct and issues regarding confidentiality as set forth in the agencies policies.

Details:

Hours: This job is a 40-hour a week position that requires flexibility in working hours to best meet the needs of the clients.

Wages & Benefits:

Family Advocate I - $18.00 per hour per month health benefit.

Family Advocate II - $22.00 per hour per month health benefit.

This position is dependent upon grant funding. Employer provides a monthly health stipend as medical benefits. Paid personal and sick leave is as part of the benefit package. Federal holidays are paid holidays (Nevada Day Observed is paid in lieu of Columbus Day)

Probationary Period: This position is a probationary position lasting one-year from date of employment per RWFRC Personnel Policies and Procedures.

Prospective employees will receive consideration without discrimination because of race, color, sex, creed, age, national origin or disability. We are an equal opportunity employer.

THIS JOB SPECIFICATION SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED TO IMPLY THAT THESE REQUIREMENTS ARE THE EXCLUSIVE STANDARDS OF THE POSITION. INCUMBENTS MAY BE REQUIRED TO FOLLOW ANY OTHER INSTRUCTIONS, AND PERFORM ANY OTHER RELATED DUTIES, AS MAY BE REQUIRED BY THEIR SUPERVISOR.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $22.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Flexible schedule
• Paid time off

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Carson City, NV 89706