Foster Care Recruiter (5841)

Together for Youth; City of Plattsburgh (NY); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Together for Youth in New York is seeking a Foster Parent Home Finder to engage the community, recruit families, and support children in foster care.

You will visit schools and organizations, build trust with prospective families, and guide them through certification while ensuring compliance with state standards.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; associate/bachelor’s preferred in related fields.
• Lived experience as a foster parent or kinship caregiver encouraged.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and reliable vehicle.

Responsibilities

• Attend events and network with organizations to recruit families.
• Build trust with prospective foster and adoptive families.
• Develop statewide recruitment plans and campaigns.
• Support families through certification and home study processes.
• Maintain records and use multiple software systems to document outcomes.

Skills

Outgoing

Strong communication

Creative thinker

Organized

Education

High school diploma/GED

Associate's degree

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

Reports to Program Coordinator

Various Location

Non-exempt

Are you a natural connector who loves meeting new people and inspiring them to make a difference? Do you want a career that gets you out into the community, building meaningful relationships, and creating real change for kids and families?

As a Foster Parent Home Finder , you’ll play a vital role in our mission by finding and supporting families who are ready to open their homes and hearts to children in foster care. You’ll be part Home Finder, part guide, and part cheerleader —helping families navigate the process, celebrating their progress, and ensuring they feel supported every step of the way.

This is not a desk job. You’ll be out in the community, spreading awareness, networking with organizations, attending events, and bringing energy and creativity to recruitment efforts. Every connection you make has the potential to change a child’s life.

What You’ll Do

Community Engagement & Recruitment

• Share our mission across the state by attending community events, networking with local organizations, schools, businesses, and faith-based groups.
• Build trust quickly with prospective foster and adoptive families, inspiring them to take the next step.
• Develop monthly recruitment plans, with a mix of grassroots outreach, local advertising, and creative campaigns (like our statewide Go Purple for Kids in Care initiative).
• Partner with our communications team to use social media and other outreach tools to tell powerful stories and spark interest.

Family Support & Certification

• Walk families through the certification process with compassion and clarity.
• Conduct home visits and safety assessments, ensuring every home meets state standards while also helping families feel confident and supported.
• Facilitate pre-service and ongoing training such as NTDC (our foster parent certification course), CPR/First Aid, and other programs that prepare families for success.
• Completes initial certification assessment and annual reassessment of foster families in accordance with New York State regulations including the preparation of home studies; monitors homes to ensure they meet Agency and New York State regulations. Completes emergency certifications for identified kinship resources
• Stay connected with foster parents after certification to build lasting relationships and ensure ongoing engagement.

Behind-the-Scenes Impact

• Keep accurate records and documentation (we know it’s not the most exciting part of the job—but it’s an important one!).
• Operates multiple software systems in documenting and driving program/agency required outcomes. This includes maintaining all case records and required documentation per agency standards.
• Track progress, identify opportunities for growth, and contribute to a culture of continuous improvement.

What requirements are we looking for

Education & Experience:

High school diploma/GED required; Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree preferred in Child welfare, Foster Care, Human Services, Marketing, Social Work, Communications, , Relationship-Building & Networking , Public health, or Sales-Oriented Approach and Community Engagement or lived experience as a foster parent, kinship caregiver, or respite parent . We know that lived experience can be just as valuable as a degree, and we encourage you to apply!

Skills & Qualities:

• Outgoing, approachable, and energized by connecting with people.
• Strong communication and presentation skills can inspire a room and build trust one-on-one.
• Creative thinker who loves finding new ways to engage the community.
• Organized and reliable, you can juggle events, visits, and paperwork while keeping track of it all.

Other Requirements:

• Flexible schedule (days, evenings, weekends, and occasional holidays).
• Valid driver’s license, reliable vehicle, and ability to travel up to 50%.
• Willingness to complete your certification as a NTDC (National Training and Development Curriculum/GPSII) and CPR/First Aid trainer within 6 months. 50% Travel is required. Ability to coordinate and plan travel for visits and appointments in efficient manner.
• Ability to work with economically and culturally diverse population.
• Skills: Strong organizational and prioritization skills including the ability to complete reports and paperwork within strict deadlines and timeframes. Strong engagement, recruitment and time management skills.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Together for Youth is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation, military status, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, disability, marital status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law.

We are committed to fostering an inclusive, equitable, and accessible environment where diversity is valued and recognized as a source of strength and enrichment. We seek to attract talented people from a diverse range of backgrounds and cultures.

As a federal contractor, Together for Youth will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)