Refugees Northwest Foster Care Social Worker

Our Mission: Lutheran Community Services Northwest partners with individuals, families and communities for health, justice and hope. 

About Us: Lutheran Community Services Northwest is a non-profit human services agency that improves lives of people in communities throughout Washington, Oregon and Idaho. We provide a wide variety of services to adults, adolescents, children, families, schools and communities. We are privileged to touch lives of all ages, cultures and faiths.
 

We are looking for a Social Worker for 37.5 hours based out of our Seattle office. The ideal candidate will be mission driven with a desire to make a difference for families and communities served by LCS Northwest.

Bilingual English / Spanish candidates encouraged to apply!

Social Workers with Refugees Northwest Foster Care will have the privilege of accompanying youth throughout their adolescence and serve as their legal guardian. In addition, our Social Workers play an important role in supporting the foster family where the youth is placed.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Develops and implements comprehensive case plans for Unaccompanied Refugee Minors which:

• Consider the individual’s personal goals, strengths/weaknesses, cultural, religious, and ethnic background;

• Promote wellbeing, safety, and self-sufficiency;

• Uses effective clinical skills to provide counseling, supportive services and supervision of youth and caregivers
  including monthly health and safety visits, recognizing that many of our foster home placements are cross-cultural.

• Provides advocacy and resource referrals as needed.

• Demonstrates professionalism in communication including in correspondence and by representing LCSNW regularly in dependency court hearings.

• Produces professional and timely documentation in case files and reports to outside agencies.

• Maintains comprehensive knowledge of current issues relating to Unaccompanied Refugee Minors including topics such as cultural background and countries of origin for youth, impact of trauma, forms of available
  immigration relief, and State laws regarding Extended Foster Care and program eligibility.

• Demonstrates dependability and cooperative team work by actively participating in meetings and supervision, preparing and presenting case material, offering supportive ideas and input to colleagues, being open and
  responsive to feedback, and sharing the team work load.

• Performs all job functions in accordance with:

• LCSNW’s agency and program specific personnel and administrative policies and procedures;

• Current federal, state, and local standards, guidelines, and regulations; and

• The code of ethics of professional social work.

QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.  

• Must pass criminal history background check

• Must have well-developed communication skills, both written and verbal

• Must have independent decision-making abilities when circumstances warrant such action.

• Must be able to multitask and set priorities.

• Ability to work well in a team.

• Must be able to work in a multicultural setting.

• Requires strict adherence of HIPAA standards to ensure confidentiality.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or related human services field required.

• At least two years’ experience in child welfare or working with immigrant and refugee populations required.

• Demonstrated strong cross-cultural communication skills desired and ability to work effectively with
  children who have experienced loss and trauma.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Masters degree in Social Work or related human services field prefered.

• Bilingual in English and Spanish or another language spoken by program clients preferred.

• Social Work Licensure

LICENSE AND CERTIFICATION: This position requires regular travel. Must have a current Washington State driver’s license, auto insurance, and access to a reliable vehicle.

BENEFITS: We offer a full benefits package with options for medical and dental insurance.  Vacation includes up to 2 weeks in the first year, with an increase up to 3 weeks in the second year (based on hours worked).  Up to 2 ½ weeks of Sick leave for you or to take care of your immediate family (based on hours worked). 10 Paid Holidays plus 2 Floating Holidays each year.  A 403(b) Retirement plan with a matching program after meeting eligibility requirements.  Our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is designed to help and support you with free and confidential counseling, financial, and support services.  Mileage and expense reimbursement is also provided.