Adoption Specialist

Position Summary: The Adoption Specialist will work under the direction of the Program Manager of Faith Adoption to assist in promoting adoption services; recruiting, training, and licensing adoptive families; and to assist in monitoring adoptive placements. The position is a 35.5-hour work week. Evening and weekend work may be occasionally required. Travel will be required. The position is full-time and eligible for benefits.

Salary Range: $31,000 – $45,000 (dependent on education and licensure)

Position Accountabilities: Serve as a member of the adoption team of IBCHFS.Maintain a high level of expertise in the area of adoption, home study/licensing services, and post-placement/post-adoption supervision. Maintains awareness of current licensing standards and adoption laws, domestic and international. Recruit and educate adoptive parents regarding adoption. Coordinate regularly scheduled information seminars. Conduct trainings to prepare adoptive parents. Provide home study and post-placement/post-adoption services for adoptive families. Completes interviews, writes home studies, and investigates prospective adoptive families to ensure they meet both IBCHFS as well as IDCFS, Interstate, and International requirements, when applicable. This process is to be completed in a timely manner to ensure the family can either move forward in the process or be directed to a different option. Identifies unresolved issues of infertility, unrealistic expectations, etc. to evaluate appropriateness of adoptive parents. Monitors adoptions following the placement of the child and create post-placement reports, as required. Travel to prospective adoptive parents' home for initial home study investigation, renewals, and post-placement monitoring. Maintain accurate licensing files and service delivery reports. Assist in selecting, training, developing, supervising, and evaluating contractual home study providers and adoption clerical staff. Assist in counseling with prospective birth parents planning adoption. Work as a liaison between birth parents and adoptive parents. Assist the agency or program with any other duties as assigned.

Position Qualifications: Bachelor's or master's degree in social work or related field- Illinois licensure of LSW or LCSW is preferred. Certified by Illinois Department of Children and Family Services to provide home study Services. Demonstrate ability to be detailed oriented, coordinate multiple tasks simultaneously, and do both against a timeline. Outstanding writing skills combined with strong interpersonal skills and self-initiating work ethic.