Job Summary

The Home Finder II recruits, trains, and certifies high-quality foster/kinship homes.  The Home Finder II develops strong working relationships with Department of Social Services (DSS) staff in order to partner in the successful certification of County foster/kinship homes. 

Essential Job Functions

Recruit, train, and certify high-quality foster/kinship homes  Organize, coordinate, and facilitate foster/kinship parent recruitment events and training schedules.  Identify the relevant curriculum and provide training, 1:1 or in groups, for potential foster parents/kinship caregivers to assist them in meeting certification requirements. Identify additional resources and/or training needed to ensure the foster/kinship parents are capable and confident in addressing the needs of youth in foster or kinship care.  Partner with DSS to understand the placement needs of youth in the county so that training reflects those needs.  Share ongoing assessment of the appropriateness and development of individuals in the training class with the Department of Social Services (DSS) workers.  Perform end to end home certifications. Complete all aspects of the home study process which includes conducting a thorough home assessment and writing the initial home study report with a clear rationale for the recommendation.  Obtain and complete all paperwork and documentation required by regulatory bodies including all background and State Central Registry checks to ensure the certification process for foster/kinship homes is on file and meets all necessary requirements. While this job description covers many aspects of the role, employees may be required to perform other duties as assigned.

Education & Experience

High school diploma or GED required. Minimum 1 year of experience working with youth and/or families.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Unrestricted, valid NYS driver’s license for minimum of 1 year with a clean driving record and minimum insurance coverage that meets agency standards. 

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

In addition to demonstrating the Hillside Professional Competencies of Communicates Effectively, Personal Excellence, Cultural Competence, Builds and Leverages Relationships, and Optimizes Decision Making, the following occupational competencies must be demonstrated:

Ability to successfully understand and teach the identified curriculum to train potential foster parent/kinship caregivers  Ability to empathize with the experiences and emotions of children in foster care and their families, demonstrating sensitivity, understanding, and support. Ability to build positive, trusting relationships with children, foster families, and professionals in the foster care system. Knowledge of all federal, state, and local statutes, regulatory agency standards and Hillside policies. 

Physical Demands & Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Must be able to work a variable scheduling including evenings and weekends The following daily physical demands are required: Sitting (up to 6 hours) Occasional standing (up to 2 hour) Occasional walking (up to 2.5 hours) Driving (several times a week up to 6 hours) Continuous balancing (up to 8 hours) Occasional balancing, bending, stooping, climbing, kneeling, pushing, pulling, reaching forward or down, reaching overhead, running, and twisting (up to 2.5 hours) Weekly lifting up to 10-15 lbs. on a daily basis Manual dexterity is required, including the frequent ability to grasp in both hands and continuous use of fine manipulation skills in both hands (approximately 1-2.5 hrs.) Occasional exposure to dust, fumes, gases, chemicals, or smoke is apparent   Ability to change positions as needed

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

While Hillside is a restraint free environment, there may be times in a “life or limb” situation, that staff may be required to physically restrain clients weighing between 50 lbs. and 300 lbs. and guide them safely to the floor. In some circumstances, restraints can last up to 15 minutes and may require repetition as necessary

$21.40 Minimum pay rate, $31.25 Maximum pay rate, based on experience.