Licensing Caseworker

Lutheran Services in Iowa; Council Bluffs (IA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive benefits

Mileage reimbursement

401(k) with employer matching

Job summary

Lutheran Services in Iowa (LSI) invites applications for a Licensing Caseworker to support prospective foster, adoptive and kinship families across East Iowa counties east and northeast of Council Bluffs.

Travel is required within the service area. A bachelor's degree in social work or related human services field and strong communication skills are essential, with experience in child welfare preferred and willingness to complete home studies for licensing.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in social work or related human services field.
• Minimum one year experience in the child welfare field.
• Bilingual candidates encouraged to apply.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Support prospective families through pre-service training and home study process.
• Write and submit the home study packet for assigned families.
• Collaborate with families to complete home studies within project timelines.
• Familiarize with licensing and adoption rules per DHHS and Iowa Administrative Code.

Skills

Bilingual

Verbal & written communication

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in social work or related human services

Job description

***THIS POSITION IS ELIGIBLE FOR A SIGN-ON BONUS!***

LSI Foster Care & Adoption is seeking a full-time Licensing Caseworker to serve in counties East of Council Bluffs to assist with completion of the initial licensing and/or home study process for prospective foster, adoption and kinship care families.

Please Note Before Applying: While this position is based in our Council Bluffs office, the role requires regular travel throughout the assigned service area, extending east and northeast to communities such as Atlantic and Denison, Iowa. This is a regional position, not a Council Bluffs/Omaha-based position, and candidates must be willing and able to travel regularly throughout the service area. Applicants who are seeking a position primarily located in the Council Bluffs/Omaha area should not apply.

What You'll Do

The Licensing caseworker will support prospective families through the pre-service training, home study process, writing, and submitting the home study packet.

The worker in this position is responsible for working with families to complete assigned home studies for resource families (foster adoptive and kinship) within project timelines.

The position requires the individual to become very familiar with all licensing rules and adoption rules through the Department of Health and Human Services and Iowa Administrative Code.

The position requires some flexibility in scheduling appointments and may require the caseworker to work occasional evening and/or weekend hours to meet the needs of the families served.

What You'll Need

Qualified applicants will have a bachelor's degree in social work or a related human services field and a minimum of one year experience within the child welfare field (bachelor's degree in education with 1 year of experience can be considered).

Bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply!

The Licensing caseworker position requires an individual who is well organized and has the ability to communicate effectively, both verbal and written.

The applicant should also possess the skills, energy, and desire to complete initial home studies to potential foster/adoptive families.

The position requires an individual who enjoys positively promoting foster care, kinship care and adoption, working with staff and leaders, and helping to recruit and license foster and adoptive families.

The individual must be able to collaborate with others, have good time management skills, and have a desire to form strong and positive relationships with child welfare professionals, staff, stakeholders, and clients.

How We'll Support You

In addition to joining an outstanding team, you'll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive pay
• 401(k) with employer matching contributions
• Generous paid time off accrual, paid holidays and flex holidays
• Flexible scheduling opportunities for many positions
• Mileage reimbursement
• Comprehensive insurance coverage, including health, dental, vision, and life insurance
• Professional development and career growth opportunities
• Exclusive Team LSI benefits, including complimentary Employee Assistance Program (EAP) services, Nationwide Pet Insurance, Rainy Day Pal support, partnerships with Dupaco Credit Union, DailyPay advanced pay services, and more
• As a nonprofit organization, LSI employees may also be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness and other student loan repayment assistance programs

Who We Are

LSI is an equal opportunity employer. At LSI we respect diverse life experiences, cultures and heritages, and strive to provide that all voices are heard and valued.

You can learn more about our commitment at https://lsiowa.org/who-we-are/