Resource Family Specialist

State of Montana; Montana; Hybrid; USD 52,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) seeks a Resource Family Specialist to recruit and license foster, kinship, guardianship and adoptive families. The role focuses on outcomes for children in need of homes, with emphasis on confidential handling of sensitive information and strong collaboration with partners.

Ideal candidates will have a bachelor’s degree in human services and experience with child welfare, license processes, and family support services.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in human services or related field.
• One year experience working with children or recruitment, licensing or retention of foster parents.
• Ability to work independently in emotionally charged environments.
• Strong knowledge of child welfare practices.
• Confidentiality and data handling.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop resource families (foster, kinship, guardianship, adoptive) from initial inquiry to recruitment, retention, licensing, problem resolution, technical assistance and case management.
• Serve as division expert in identifying families best suited to provide safe, nurturing and stable environments for children in need of care.
• Collaborate with partners to support placement stability and family support services.

Skills

Child Welfare

Confidentiality

Independence

Emotional resilience

Written and oral communication

Cooperative relationships

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelors degree in human services or related field

Job description

To be considered for this position you must complete the state application and attach all required documents through the Montana State Careers site at**www.statecareers.mt.gov**.

The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) has a career opportunity within the Child and Family Services Division.

The role of the Resource Family Specialist (RFS) is to develop resource families (foster, kinship, guardianship, adoptive) from initial inquiry about becoming a resource for children in need of homes to recruitment, retention, licensing, problem resolution, technical assistance, and case management. The RFS is the division expert in finding families that have the best potential for providing a safe, nurturing and stable environment for children in need of temporary or permanent care.

Why Join DPHHS

Our mission at DPHHS is serving Montanans in their communities to improve health, safety, well-being, and empower independence. By joining our department, you will have the opportunity to perform meaningful work in public service to our state and its residents.

The State of Montana’s comprehensive benefits package includes healthcare coverage, retirement plans, paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays, work/life balance, and eligibility to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. In addition, DPHHS is the largest state agency with a wide range of advancement opportunities whether you are joining the workforce or have several years of experience.

Qualifications for this Career Opportunity

• Strong knowledge of Child Welfare practices.

• Solid understanding of confidentiality.

• Ability to work independently.

• Ability to work effectively in emotionally charged environments.

• Effective written and oral communication skills.

• Ability to develop cooperative working relationships.

• Ability to analyze diverse and large amounts of information and evaluate results.

• Meet minimum qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in human services or a related field.

• One year experience working in professions related to providing services for children or recruitment, licensing or retention of foster parents.

• Other combinations of related education and experience may be considered on a case-by-case basis; however, a bachelor’s degree is required.

Additional Information

This position may be eligible for partial telework within the state of Montana. Specific conditions will be provided by the supervisor and must adhere to state policy.