Kinship Coordinator

Kawerak, Inc.; Nome; On-site; NOK 447,000 - 676,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Insurance

Retirement benefits

Paid leave and holidays

Job summary

Kawerak, Inc. seeks a Kinship Coordinator in Nome, Alaska (onsite) to identify, locate, and engage relatives and Tribal members for children in out‑of‑home care.

Working with CFS staff, Tribes and OCS, you will identify kin placement options, assist with licensing processes, and maintain case records for planning and court proceedings. Essential duties include kinship searches using networks and public records, notifying families, conducting home visits, coordinating safety evaluations, and

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• 1 year of experience in human services, family advocacy, or investigative casework.
• Preferred: Bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, or related field.
• Experience with case management or electronic case-record databases is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop creative search strategies to identify potential kinship placements.
• Use databases, tribal registries, and public records to locate relatives and create family maps.
• Notify adult family members within required timelines of placement options.
• Conduct home visits and safety evaluations for potential placements.
• Coordinate with CFS staff on licensing processes and background checks.
• Maintain confidential case records and progress reports for court proceedings.
• Attend meetings with OCS and tribal partners to coordinate efforts and ensure ICWA compliance.
• Prepare written reports for court proceedings as needed.
• Travel to remote villages for kinship outreach and visits.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Kinship search

ICWA knowledge

Interviews & communication

Organizational skills

Confidentiality

Computer skills

Case documentation

Education

High school diploma or GED

Bachelor's degree in social work or related field

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

Outlook

Electronic case-management databases

Job description

KAWERAK POSITION DESCRIPTION

Position closes on Friday November 6th, 2026

JOB TITLE: Kinship Coordinator
DIVISION: Community Services
DEPARTMENT: Children and Family Services
LOCATION: Nome, Alaska – Onsite
POSITION STATUS: Regular, Full-Time
EXEMPT STATUS: Non-Exempt
PAY SCALE GRADE: 10–11–12
REPORTS TO: CFS Director
AKBCU: Yes ICPA: Yes

The Kinship Coordinator conducts ongoing searches to identify, locate, and engage relatives and Tribal members for children in out-of-home care under state or Tribal custody. Working with Children and Family Services (CFS) staff, Tribes, and the Office of Children’s Services (OCS), the Coordinator identifies kinship placement options, helps families navigate placement and licensing processes, and maintains records and reports for case planning and court proceedings. The position supports safe, stable placements and children’s continued connections to family, community and culture.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. 1. Develop and implement creative, thorough search strategies to identify potential relative and kinship placement options for children in care.


2. 2. Use authorized relative-search databases, Tribal registries, genealogy resources, and public records to locate family members. Develop and maintain accurate family maps and genograms.


3. 3. Mail formal notification letters and informational questionnaires to all adult family members within state-mandated timelines to inform them of options to pursue placement, custody, or connection.


4. 4. Perform investigative field work, community outreach, and face-to-face home visits across regional networks to establish contact with extended kin who cannot be reached by phone.


5. 5. Coordinate with CFS staff to conduct initial safety evaluations and baseline home inspections for potential relative placements.


6. 6. Work with the Foster Care Recruiter to help kinship placement applicants navigate the formal licensing application process, necessary paperwork, and background check requirements.


7. 7. Maintain accurate, complete case tracking logs and confidential records of all relative-search activities, results, and family communication.


8. 8. Attend monthly meetings with the local OCS office and OCS Licensing to coordinate placement efforts, address barriers, and uphold strict legal placement preferences.


9. 9. Review authorized child protective services files, case histories, and court documents to obtain relative contact details and identifying information.


10. 10. Collaborate closely with Tribal Family Coordinators, regional OCS ICWA Specialists, and Tribal leaders to verify tribal enrollment eligibility.


11. 11. Prepare detailed written progress reports for Child in Need of Aid (CINA) Tribal and State court proceedings as needed.


12. 12. Attend meetings, training, and conferences as required by the Program Director to keep abreast of relative search standards, OCS policy updates, and ICWA law.


13. 13. Required to travel to remote villages in light commercial aircraft to conduct family outreach, perform home visits, and provide kinship navigation services.


14. 14. Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma or GED.


• One (1) year of experience in human services, family advocacy, or investigative casework.

PREFFERED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, human services, psychology, or a related field.


• Experience with case management or electronic case-record databases.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This is a nonsupervisory position.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of ICWA placement preferences, Alaska Native Tribal structures, and kinship care practices that support children’s family, cultural, and community connections.


• Research skills to verify information across multiple sources, identify relatives and family relationships, and prepare accurate family maps and genograms.


• Interviewing, active listening, and communication skills to gather information and prepare clear, factual correspondence, case notes, and reports.


• Organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to work independently, manage multiple searches, follow up consistently, and meet deadlines.


• Computer skills using Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook, with the ability to learn specialized search tools and case-management databases.


• Ability to learn and apply child welfare procedures, relative-search requirements, and foster care licensing processes, and help families access appropriate resources.


• Ability to build trust and work respectfully with Alaska Native families and Tribal communities, including individuals experiencing trauma, grief, family separation, or conflict.


• Ability to protect confidential information, maintain professional boundaries, exercise sound judgment, recognize safety concerns, and seek guidance when needed.


• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with CFS staff, families, Tribal representatives, OCS personnel, and community partners.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• This position is a Covered Position subject to all requirements of the Alaska Barrier Crimes Act AS 47.05.310-47.05.390, 7 AAC 10.900-10.990, and to the Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Prevention Act, 25 USC 3201-3211 (ICPA). A background check clearance is required, including fingerprints, and the employee’s name will be submitted to the Background Check Program of the State of Alaska Department of Health and Social Services and entered into its central registry. Barrier Crimes Act and ICPA requirements apply and must be complied with at all times in order to remain in the position.


• Must possess and maintain a valid Alaska driver’s license.


• Must be willing and able to travel to rural communities by small commercial aircraft and other available transportation for program activities.


• Must complete required training and follow established safety procedures for fieldwork and home visits, including communicating safety concerns.


• Must maintain confidentiality and comply with applicable information-sharing and child abuse and neglect reporting requirements.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The physical demands described below are representative of those required to perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Work is performed in office and community settings, including family homes, and involves extended computer use, document review, data entry, and regular communication.


• Fieldwork involves standing, walking, bending, reaching, and carrying routine case materials, supplies, and portable equipment.


• Travel involves boarding and exiting small aircraft and other transportation. Weather and site conditions may vary.


• Work involves sensitive child welfare information and potentially distressing circumstances concerning family separation and placement needs.

WORK SCHEDULE

Kawerak’s standard full-time workweek is 37.5 hours, generally scheduled Monday through Friday, with 7.5 working hours per day. Daily work hours and schedules may vary based on program and operational needs.

OUR MISSION, VISION AND VALUES

Our Mission: Advancing the capacity of our People and Tribes for the benefit of the region.
Our Vision: Our people and tribes are thriving.
Our Values: Our traditional culture, Native values, and unity of our tribes empower….

Native Preference per Public Law 93-638 Approved (10-22-2026)

PAY RANGES AND SLOTTING

10: High School Diploma/GED +1 years relevant experience
11: High School Diploma/GED +2 years relevant experience
12: High School Diploma/GED +3 years relevant experience

PAY AND BENEFITS

Hourly hiring range: USD $34.80 – $52.62 per hour
Kawerak offers benefits for eligible employees, including insurance, retirement benefits, paid leave, and holidays. Eligibility and coverage are governed by applicable personnel policies and plan documents.
For benefits information, visit: Kawerak Employment and Benefits.
This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, or working conditions. Kawerak, Inc. reserves the right to revise this job description or assign additional duties and responsibilities as organizational needs require. If you believe you require a reasonable accommodation to perform the essential functions of this position, you are encouraged to notify your supervisor or Human Resources so that Kawerak may engage in the interactive process in accordance with applicable law.
Kawerak, Inc. is a nonprofit organization that receives funding through an annual funding agreement, as well as federal, state, tribal, local, and other grant and contract sources to support its operations and workforce. While Kawerak has a long history of stable funding, continued employment is contingent upon the availability of funding and the ongoing operational needs of the organization.