Permanency Worker

Winstar; Ardmore (OK); On-site; USD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Chickasaw Nation Family Services in Ardmore, OK seeks a permanency worker to advocate for families whose children have been removed due to abuse or neglect. The role involves collaboration with children, parents, and community members, addressing issues like mental illness, substance use, and violence.

The worker will provide case management, connect families to resources, conduct home visits, and document case notes while maintaining professionalism and cultural respect. Travel may be required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in directly related field.
• Bachelor’s degree in social science, social work, psychology, human services, criminal justice, or related field preferred.
• Must be 21 years of age or older.
• Pass general background check; Pass Indian Child Welfare background check.

Responsibilities

• Engages children and families to collect information for needs assessment.
• Conducts in-depth interviews with children, parents, and family members.
• Demonstrates cultural competence and respectful engagement with diverse populations.
• Provides testimony as an expert witness in state courts and submits reports to courts.

Skills

Basic Computer skills

Microsoft Office Suite familiarity

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Bachelor’s degree in social science, social work, psychology, human services, criminal justice, or related field preferred

Job description

Ardmore, OK | Family Services | Full Time

Posted 2 days ago

Description

Summary

Serves as an advocate for First American families whose children have been removed because of child abuse and/or neglect. The permanency worker will collaborate and engage with individuals, children, and families dealing with issues related to or stemming from mental illness, substance use, family and/or domestic violence, and/or lack of protective capacity. Supports the mission of the Chickasaw Nation and demonstrates core values in all work functions.

Responsibilities

• Engages children and families in order to collect information to assist with determining needs
• Conducts in-depth interviews with children, parents, family members, community members, etc.
• Applies cultural competence by demonstrating appropriate respect for cultural diversity and conveying a non-judgmental attitude while working with a diverse population
• Provides testimony as a qualified expert witness in state courts; provides written and verbal reports directly to appropriate courts of jurisdiction
• Acts as a liaison between the Chickasaw Nation, outside agencies, and courts to ensure the safety of First American children and families
• Connects children and families to resources and education to address any identified needs
• Provides case management services, including contact with service providers, along with thoroughly documenting case notes
• Conducts monthly home visits to children placed in a biological home, foster home, therapeutic foster care home, group home, inpatient facility youth shelter, etc.
• Receives, creates, and submits reports of child abuse and neglect in the Child Welfare Services database
• Provides first class customer service to both internal and external customers and responds to inquiries, compliments, and/or complaints with professionalism, courtesy, and efficiency
• Completes all training and development requirements and participates in continuing education opportunities
• Works in a collaborative and supportive manner to support the productivity and safety of the work area, team members and customers of all types
• Maintains a clean, organized work area and ensures a safe environment
• Maintains and promotes professionalism
• Punctual and consistent in meeting start time, work schedule, attendance and other assigned work time metrics
• Adheres to Chickasaw Nation dress code standards
• Maintains knowledge of and follows all rules, regulations, policies and guidelines for assigned area
• Performs all other duties as assigned

Competencies

Essential

• Able to follow instructions, both written and oral
• Able to adhere to all scheduling and attendance requirements
• Honesty, truthfulness, reliability, accountability
• Able to read, understand, apply, and retain knowledge of Chickasaw Nation, departmental, divisional and all other rules, regulations, policies, procedures and guidelines
• Understand Chickasaw law and law enforcement regulations
• Knowledge of crisis evaluation and de-escalation tactics
• Develop and apply proficiency in computer systems and applications as required by role and responsibilities
• Knowledge of Indian Child Welfare Act and Statutes
• Knowledge of Adoption and Safe Families Act
• Able to verbally communicate in a professional and positive manner with other team members, departments, guests and management
• Writes effective communications with team, departments, guests and management

Skills

Essential

• Basic Computer skills
• Must be familiar with the Microsoft Office Suite of products

Experience

Nonessential

• 1 year directly related experience

Education

Essential

• Bachelors Degree in directly related field

Essential

• A bachelor’s degree in social science, social work, psychology, human services, criminal justice, or related field preferred

Credentials

Essential

• Must be 21 years of age or older
• Pass general background check
• Pass Indian Child Welfare background check

Working Conditions

Essential

• Mix of office/non-office settings
• May be required to deal with situations that are potentially dangerous
• May be required to assist individuals with unmanaged emotions
• Subject to traveling and working at other locations or in other environments
• Requires driving for extended periods
• May be on-call
• May be required to work after hours or on weekends as needed
• Sometimes lift and or carry up to 30 lbs
• Walking up to 25% of shift
• Standing up to 25% of shift
• Sometimes bend, kneel, stoop, push, reach
• Stressful environment due to any or a combination of deadlines, pressures, multiple tasks, lines of communication, risks, speed of operations, etc.
• Pass pre-employment drug test

Training

It is the responsibility of each employee to attend required training for their position or profession as determined by their line of support (LOS) or the leadership of the Chickasaw Nation. It is the responsibility of those who supervise, manage or otherwise lead employees or teams to ensure each employee has access to and receives all required training.

Mission, Vision & Core Values

Mission

To enhance the overall quality of life of the Chickasaw people.

Vision

To be a nation of successful and united people with a strong cultural identity.

Core Values

• The Chickasaw People
• Cultural Identity
• Servant Leadership
• Selflessness
• Can Do Attitude
• Perseverance
• Stewardship
• Trust and Respect
• Loyalty
• Honesty and Integrity
• Teamwork