Family Finding Specialist I (Oahu, Full-time)

POSITION SUMMARY

The Family Finding Specialist I conducts research to identify and locate additional family members and other kin for foster children. The case load for a Family Finding Specialist I is 5 to 6 cases with a goal of completing 6 cases per month.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Research Department of Human Services (DHS) and EPIC ‘Ohana database and other materials for pertinent information on foster children, family members and support system.
• Access and utilize internet search engines, genealogy websites, social media, and other on-line sites to identify and locate potential family members.
• Collaborate with program manager, staff and Child Welfare Services (CWS) worker to assess and prioritize viability of contact with known and found family members.
• Make phone and/or written communication to confirm the identification of potential family members, ascertain support, and possibly discover additional relatives.
• Compile family lists and write summary report for each assigned case.
• Communicate findings and recommendations for connection to Family Connections Specialist.
• Adhere to Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy Policy and Social Security Administration (SSA) confidentiality guidelines in conducting research and contacting family members.
• Implement safety measures and training in conducting research and making contact with family members.
• Utilize effective crisis management techniques when needed.
• Participate in quality assurance/improvement and outcome studies, as required.
• Complete and maintain other documentation, as required.

OTHER DUTIES/FUNCTIONS

• Perform other related duties, as required and assigned.
• Regular attendance, required.
• Responsible for awareness and adherence to all company and safety policies and procedures.
• Attend and participate at trainings, all staff meetings, and individual supervision, as scheduled.
• Recommend improvements and/or enhancements of job processes and work environment to ensure high quality levels of service deliverables.
• Address appropriate needs with Family Finding Manager.

WORKING CONDITIONS
• Work Hours: Normal hours for the EPIC office are Monday through Friday 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Employees may start as early as 7:00 a.m. or as late as 9:00 a.m. The end time for an employee’s work shift will be based on the employee’s designated start time.
• Must be flexible with work schedule, pending the need to deliver services outside the normal work shift. Hours may include weekend and evening hours.
• This job operates in a professional office environment.
• The physical exertion is moderate.

EQUIPMENT USED
• Must be proficient with computer use, including word processing, spreadsheets, map reading, email, and database usage.
• This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, and fax machines.

MENTAL, PHYSICAL, AND COMMUNICATION DEMANDS

Mental Demands
• Must be self-directed, organized, and able to work independently.
• Must have excellent problem solving skills.
• Must work well under the pressure of meeting multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Must have strong writing skills and be able to write clearly and accurately.
• Must have the willingness to be flexible and adaptable in a fast-paced environment.
• Must be able to support diversity in the workplace and serve a diverse population.
• Must be able to comprehend complex information such as social work reports and court documents.
• Must be approachable, non-judgmental, organized, and have a strength-based view of youth and families.
• Must be emotionally mature, objective, and support of people and their problems.
• Must have the ability to nurture and maintain positive relationships with all stakeholders, including the ability to engage family members from diverse communities.
• Must have the ability to work cooperatively with representatives of other agencies.
• Must have an attitude of continual learning.
• Must be able to synthesize and summarize complex information in ways that are understandable to family members and professionals.

Communication Demands
• Must have the ability to speak and write clearly.
• Must have a direct yet sensitive communication style.
• Must have strong communication skills and a strong ability to support and engage positively with community providers, professionals, social workers, service providers, and families.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

• Must have a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Human Services, or a related field from an accredited institution of higher learning; and
• A minimum of one (1) year case management experience or human services-related experience and/or training.
• Must have computer knowledge including Word and Excel, and adept at utilizing the internet for research purposes.
• Must possess investigative and problem solving skills.
• Must have strong phone and active listening skills.
• Must maintain an ethical, responsible and professional attitude and demeanor under all circumstances in person, by phone, e-mail and correspondence, in order to effectively and efficiently engage and maintain working relationships with   families and professionals who are undergoing complex and crisis situations.
• Team player with a positive attitude and the ability to interact with all levels of the organization.
• Demonstrated a high degree of professionalism and maturity.
• Committed to quality and performance improvement.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATION REQURIEMENTS

• Individual with experience working with families whose children have been harmed or threatened with harm and in facilitation and/or mediation, preferred.
• Individual with culturally relevant training and/or experience specific to the community served, preferred.

PAY 

• $19 to $21 per hour, commensurate with experience

BENEFITS

• Company-paid employee medical insurance
• Company-paid employee dental insurance
• Optional dependant coverage (employee paid)
• Comany-paid employee group life insurance
• Paid Time Off
• 13 Company Holidays a Year
• 403(b) Retirement Savings Account
• AFLAC Supplemental Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Pet Insurance
• Supplemental Life Insurance

EPIC is an equal opportunity employer. We consider candidates regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, genetic information, disability, or veteran status.

Due to our state contracts, EPIC employees who work with children and families in the Child Welfare System must have a successful criminal and child abuse and neglect background clearance.