Adoption Consultant

State of Indiana; Terre Haute (IN); On-site; USD 48,000 - 59,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical plans

Wellness rewards

Pension plan

Education reimbursement

Paid holidays

Job summary

The State of Indiana's Department of Child Services seeks an Adoption Consultant to increase permanency for children by expanding adoptive placements and strengthening community awareness. You will recruit and prepare families, provide ongoing support, and coordinate with internal and external stakeholders to complete the adoption lifecycle.

The salary starts at $53,222 and may be commensurate with education and experience; compensation package viewed via calculator and within a comprehensive

Qualifications

• Advanced knowledge of social work, casework, sociology and counseling techniques.
• Knowledge of state and federal laws affecting child protection, foster care and adoption.
• Ability to prepare clear, accurate reports.

Responsibilities

• Establish program objectives, KPIs and actions to achieve them.
• Develop and monitor policies and procedures for the program area.
• Explain policies and regulations to leadership or customers.
• Implement corrective action plans to solve program problems.
• Prepare and disseminate monthly and annual program reports.
• Review budgets and make recommendations to improve finances.
• Ensure program requirements meet federal and state policies and grants.

Skills

Social work knowledge

Casework

Communication

Crisis management

Education

Associate degree with 2 years experience

30 college credits with 4 years experience

5+ years human services experience

Tools

Budgeting

Job description

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Begin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a range of opportunities across 60+ agencies. At the state, you'll find competitive compensation, a robust benefits package and a commitment to work-life balance. Most importantly, you'll have the chance to make a real and measurable impact on the lives of Hoosiers across Indiana.

About the Department of Child Services:

Join a group of passionate, dedicated public servants to support one of Indiana’s most critical missions!

The Department of Child Services helps children who are victims of abuse or neglect and strengthens families through services that focus on family support and preservation. We pursue permanency for children and families through reunification, guardianship, and adoption. Our services also encompass foster care, child support, and transitional support for those adjusting to adulthood. Our culture is built upon ourMVPfoundation:

Mission: Champion Indiana’s future by protecting children and strengthening families with compassion and determination.

Vision: Every child in Indiana thrives in a safe, loving, forever home.

Role Overview:

The Adoption Consultant leads efforts to increase the number of children who achieve permanency through adoption by strengthening community awareness of special needs adoptions and expanding placements for children without identified adoptive homes. The role includes recruiting and preparing adoptive families, providing ongoing support throughout the adoption process, and collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to ensure all steps in the adoption lifecycle are completed. In addition, the Consultant serves as a resource for field staff by offering training, guidance, and information to improve adoption outcomes.

The salary for this position traditionally starts at$53,222.00 but may be commensurate with education and work experience. Use our Compensation Calculator to view the total compensation package.

A Day in the Life:

Responsibilities include:

• Establish program objectives, KPIs, and actions to achieve them.
• Develop, update, and monitor all policies and procedures related to the program area.
• Interpret and explain policies, rules, regulations, or laws to leadership or customers.
• Implement corrective action plans to solve program problems.
• Analyze, prepare, and disseminate monthly and annual program reports.
• Review budget and make budgetary recommendations to improve the program area finances.
• Ensure program requirements meet federal and state policies and grants compliance.
• Assist in the development and train employees or agency consultants on program requirements and usage.
• Coordinator and deliver communication plans and communications.
• Serve as a liaison between agency and other state and federal agencies.
• Serve on management committees or other governing boards.
• Recruit, select, onboard, and train employees to ensure role responsibilities and expectations are clearly understood while providing opportunities to continue professional development.
• Set expectations, measure progress, provide ongoing feedback, and evaluate the performance of employees. Ensure work adheres to quality standards, deadlines, and proper procedures.

The job profile is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time.

This position is exempt from overtime compensation for additional work hours that may be required to complete essential functions or other assigned work. Exempt employees may work more than 75 hours in a pay period without additional compensation and must report a minimum of 75 hours per pay period of work hours and/or paid leave taken to receive their base biweekly salary.

What You'll Need for Success:

Credentials:

• Associate degree with a minimum of two (2) years of human services job experience, or
• Completion of thirty (30) college credit hours from an accredited institution with a minimum of four (4) years of human services job experience, or
• A minimum of at least five (5) years of human services job experience.
• Advanced knowledge of principles and practices of social work, casework, sociology and group and individual counseling including new methods and theories of treatment.
• Thorough knowledge of state and/or federal laws, regulations, guidelines, and standards affecting child protection services, foster care, family preservation and adoption.
• Thorough knowledge of related social services programs and ability to coordinate work among programs.
• Specialized knowledge of the interrelationships of the various behavioral sciences as they affect care and treatment of patients/clients and/or objectives of social work projects.
• Ability to investigate and interview alleged victims and perpetrators of child abuse or neglect in an appropriate and effective manner.
• Ability to formulate and monitor project guidelines or treatment plans.
• Ability to prepare clear, accurate reports.
• Ability to work with families of diverse cultural/ethnic backgrounds with sensitivity to differences in child rearing practices, relationships and need.
• Ability to work with children with special needs such as mental or emotional conditions, the foster families, or the home willing to accept those children and the professionals who can appropriately provide services to them.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment while managing crises situations including those involving confrontational, aggressive adults being investigated for child abuse or neglect.
• Able to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Must maintain a valid driver's license.

A degree is not required. However, at least 5+ years of human services experience applying the outlined knowledge, skills, and abilities in a similar role may be considered.

Supervisory Responsibilities/Direct Reports:

This role may be utilized in a supervisory capacity based on agency needs.

Benefits of Employment with the State of Indiana:

The State of Indiana offers a comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees that includes:

• Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans
• Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards
• Health savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contribution
• Deferred compensation 457(b)account (similar to401(k) plan) with employer match
• Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options
• A robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to:
  • 150 hours of paid New Parent Leave and up to eight weeks of paid Childbirth Recovery Leave for eligible mothers
  • Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave
  • Combined 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off
  • 12 paid holidays, 14 in election years
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Group life insurance
• Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits
• Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
• Free Parkingfor most positions
• Free LinkedIn Learningaccess

The State of Indiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to recruiting, selecting, developing, and promoting employees based on individual ability and job performance. Reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to complete the application and interview process as well as perform the essential functions of a role. If you require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, you can request assistance by contacting the Indiana State Personnel Department at [e-mail] .