Kinship Navigator CW IV

Paycom - ATS; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 58,308,000 - 78,892,000; Full time

Job summary

A Second Chance, Inc. is seeking a Kinship Navigator Caseworker IV to work with Allegheny County Children, Youth, and Families to identify kinship resources and facilitate safe placements.

Responsibilities include assessing kinship needs, coordinating referrals, and maintaining compliant documentation across required systems. Strong collaboration with partners and flexible hours are expected.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent is required.
• Master’s Degree in Social Work or related field preferred.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work with 5–10 years in child welfare preferred.
• Minimum two years of direct experience with children and families.
• Experience in kinship care, family finding, and placement services preferred.

Responsibilities

• Partner with ACCYF to identify and assess kinship resources.
• Respond to referrals related to active or anticipated child removals.
• Coordinate background checks and ensure timely submissions.
• Refer kinship homes to ASCI Intake within 24 hours of removal.
• Maintain accurate documentation in KIDS and other systems.

Skills

Organizational skills

Interpersonal skills

Crisis response

Child welfare knowledge

Collaboration

Education

High school diploma

Master’s Degree in Social Work

Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work

Job description

Job Details

• Job Location: Pittsburgh Corporate Office - Pittsburgh, PA 15221
• Position Type: Full Time
• Education Level: High School
• Salary Range: $23.94
• Job Category: Nonprofit - Social Services
• Caseworker IV – Kinship Navigator
• Position Title: Caseworker IV, Kinship Navigator
• Department: Kinship Navigator
• Office: Pittsburgh Corporate Office
• Reports To: Supervisor, Kinship Navigation
• FLSA Status: Non-Exempt (Hourly)
• Job Status: Full-Time

Organizational 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 abuse
• To provide children and families with a kinship alternative as a primary placement option
• To extend knowledge gained and expand organizational capacity with traditional and non-traditional constituents
• To enhance long-term financial security
• To maintain state-of-the-art facilities, technologies, and operations

Position Summary

The Kinship Navigator Caseworker IV is responsible for providing specialized kinship-focused services in partnership with Allegheny County Children, Youth, and Families (ACCYF), including identifying, assessing, and facilitating kinship placements during potential or active child removal situations while working within a regional office. This position contributes to ASCI’s mission by ensuring timely, appropriate placement decisions, strengthening family engagement, and maintaining compliance with agency and regulatory standards to promote stable, family-centered outcomes for children.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner with ACCYF caseworkers to identify and assess kinship resources upon family involvement
• Respond to referrals related to active or anticipated child removals
• Conduct outreach to potential kinship caregivers using available tools and resources, including family documentation, Accurint searches, Family Finding tools, public and legal record sources, and collateral contacts
• Complete phone-based assessments to evaluate caregiver suitability and ability to meet the needs of the child(ren)
• Collect and verify required demographic information, including completion of OCYF 399 documentation
• Coordinate submission of background checks through the Criminal Investigation Unit
• Refer approved kinship homes to ASCI Intake within 24 hours of removal
• Initiate referrals to the Statewide Adoption Network (SWAN), as required
• Identify and coordinate temporary kinship-focused respite placements when immediate options are unavailable
• Continue active kinship search efforts for up to 30 days following removal
• Maintain accurate, timely, and complete documentation in KIDS and other required systems
• Ensure all activities align with agency policies, established timelines, and regulatory requirements
• Other duties as assigned

Requirements

Education

• Required: High school diploma or equivalent
• Preferred: Master’s Degree in Social Work or related human services discipline with a minimum of two (2) years of child welfare experience preferred, OR Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work or related human services discipline with five (5) to ten (10) years of child welfare experience preferred

Experience

• Required: Minimum of two (2) years of direct experience working with children and families in a professional or volunteer capacity
• Preferred: Experience in child welfare and kinship care services, including family finding, placement services, and supporting children involved with the child welfare system

Skills & Knowledge

• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and time-sensitive cases
• Demonstrates sound decision-making abilities and the ability to respond effectively in crisis situations
• Knowledge of child welfare, foster care services, and family systems
• Strong clinical assessment and problem-solving skills to evaluate family dynamics, safety, and caregiver capacity
• Ability to collaborate effectively with ACCYF and community partners to support placement decisions and service delivery
• Ability to prioritize competing demands while maintaining accuracy and compliance
• Commitment to kinship care and family-centered practice

Certifications & Requirements

• Current Act 33, State Police, and FBI Clearances
• Current TB Test & Physical
• Valid Pennsylvania Driver’s License
• Registered and insured vehicle with proof of insurance
• Acceptable Motor Vehicle Record
• Regular travel within the local city and county, with travel to surrounding counties as predicated by program and business needs
• Ability to work flexible hours, as needed
• Availability for on-call responsibilities

Physical 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 settings
• Ability to move about office environments and community locations, including homes, schools, partner agencies, and other service sites
• Ability to regularly ambulate within the community, navigate stairs, and enter and exit residences and other facilities while providing services
• Ability to travel as needed to conduct visits, meetings, trainings, and other program-related activities
• Ability to lift, carry, and transport files, program materials, supplies, and small equipment up to 20 lbs. as needed
• Sufficient vision, hearing, and communication abilities to effectively engage with children, families, community partners, and coworkers in a variety of settings

This 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.