Kinship Navigator Caseworker IV (Home Again)

A Second Chance Inc; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A Second Chance Inc in Pittsburgh seeks a Caseworker IV, Kinship Navigator (Home Again) to assist kinship families, provide education on the kinship process, and identify placement options for unhoused individuals. The navigator will offer kinship support and family finding, coordinating with DCYF for in-home stabilization services.

The role requires strong organizational and interpersonal skills, leadership, and a passion for kinship care, with extensive travel and flexible scheduling as needed.

Qualifications

• Education: HS diploma or equivalent with 10+ years of experience.
• Preferred: BA in Social Work or related field with 5–10 years of child welfare experience, or MSW with 2 years of child welfare experience.
• Knowledge of foster care services and client/family needs.

Responsibilities

• Increase kin placements for the unhoused and improve placement stability.
• Identify potential placements and advocate for family-led decisions.
• Deliver timely referrals to placement within 5–14 days.
• Provide emergency kinship navigation during crises.
• Conduct screening via phone and document Family Finding results for DHS/DCYF.
• Complete in-person or virtual home visits to assess kinship options.
• Collaborate with DCYF and Kinship Navigator to secure resources.
• Engage with homeless shelters and systems to support stability.
• Assist with referrals through monthly shelter visits.

Skills

Organizational skills

Interpersonal skills

Leadership

Clinical skills

Kinship care passion

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or related field

Master’s degree in Social Work or related field

Job description

Kinship Navigator Caseworker IV(Home Again)Position Title: Caseworker IV, Kinship Navigator (Home Again)Department: Kinship NavigationOffice: Pittsburgh Corporate OfficeReports To: Supervisor, Kinship Navigation (Home Again)FLSA Status: Exempt (Salary) Non-Exempt (Hourly)Job Status: Full-Time Part-TimeOrganizational Overview:ASCI is a mission-driven organization committed to advancing excellence in kinship care and strengthening outcomes for youth and families. Guided by a vision to be the nation’s foremost thought leader on kinship care, ASCI works to ensure all youth have the opportunity to grow into responsible adults while helping to break cycles of abuse and addiction. The organization supports kinship caregivers, youth, and the broader child welfare triad through high-quality services, advocacy, education, and innovative programs. ASCI’s culture emphasizes collaboration, integrity, accountability, and continuous improvement in pursuit of lasting, positive impact for children, families, and communities.Everything we do at A Second Chance, Inc. is in support of our five overarching goals:To educate communities to prevent the cycle of child drug and alcohol abuseTo provide children and families with a kinship alternative as a primary placement optionTo extend knowledge gained and expand organizational capacity with traditional and non-traditional constituentsTo enhance long-term financial securityTo maintain state-of-the-art facilities, technologies, and operationsPosition Summary:The Caseworker IV, Kinship Navigator (Home Again) is responsible for assisting in identifying kinship family supports, education on the kinship process, provide emergency kinship identification for placement options for those unhoused, and facilitate kinship identification. The Kinship Navigator will assist in providing kinship navigation, family finding and concrete need support services. The Kinship Navigator will assist DCYF with in-home stabilization services and post-Home Again support.Key Responsibilities:Increase kin placements for the unhoused and improve the stability of placementsAssist the family in identifying potential placements efficiently and advocate for family-led decisionsDeliver timely referral to placement within 5 to 14 daysAssist and provide emergency kinship navigation services during crisis situationsContact identified kin via phone to complete screening and document findings associated with the Family Finding process and provide the information to the identified DCYF staffComplete home visits of the identified kinship option(s) through an in person or virtual home visit to complete an assessment and notify DHS staff of the results and recommendations for a Care homeWork with DCYF and within the Kinship Navigator department to secure all necessary resources for the unhoused and kin caregiverWorks with homeless shelters and other systems geared to provide stability for the unhousedAssist with increasing referrals by monthly shelter visits to present the program to staff and the unhousedAssist to ensure the allocated stipend is processed accordingly once the unhoused is timely placedOther duties as assignedRequirements:EducationRequired: High School Diploma or equivalent with 10+ years of experiencePreferred:Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or a related human services discipline with five (5) to ten (10) years of child welfare experience, orMaster’s degree in Social Work or a related human services discipline with two (2) years of child welfare experienceExperienceRequired: Minimum of two (2) years of direct experience working with human services for adults, children, and families in either a job related or volunteer capacitySkills & KnowledgeExcellent organizational and interpersonal skillsDemonstrate leadership skills and qualitiesKnowledge of foster care services and client/family needsPossess excellent clinical skillsPossess a passion for kinship care and ability to work collaboratively with DCYFCertifications & RequirementsCurrent Act 33, State Police, and FBI ClearancesCurrent TB Test & PhysicalValid Pennsylvania Driver’s LicenseRegistered and insured vehicleCertificate of Insurance for vehicleRegular travel within the local city and county, with travel to surrounding counties as predicated by program and business needsAvailable to work flexible schedules, including on-call hoursPhysical Demands:This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed. It is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of the position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.Ability to perform computer-based work for extended periods in office, remote, and community-based settingsAbility to move about office environments and community locations, including homes, schools, partner agencies, and other service sitesAbility to regularly ambulate within the community, navigate stairs, and enter and exit residences and other facilities while providing servicesAbility to travel as needed to conduct visits, meetings, trainings, and other program-related activitiesAbility to lift, carry, and transport files, program materials, supplies, and small equipment up to 20 lbs. as neededSufficient vision, hearing, and communication abilities to effectively engage with children, families, community partners, and coworkers in a variety of settingsThis job description does not constitute an employment contract and may be revised to meet changing organizational needs.A Second Chance is an Equal Opportunity Employer:All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious; national origin or ancestry; sex; gender identity or expression; sexual orientation disability; marital status; familial status; age (40 or over); or use of a guide or support animal because of blindness, deafness or physical disability of any individual or independent contractor or because of the disability of an individual with whom the person is known to have an association; or on any other basis prohibited by federal, state, or local law.