Alaska Adoption Services (Anchorage)

APPLY ON OUR WEBSITE: https://www.alaskaadoptionservices.org/employment ABOUT ALASKA ADOPTION SERVICES Alaska Adoption Services is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving children, expectant and birth parents, adoptive families, and communities across Alaska. Our mission is to provide compassionate support, informed decision-making, and permanent, loving family placements. In addition to adoption services, we provide essential resources such as diaper distribution and pregnancy support to help ensure families in the Anchorage area have access to both immediate necessities and long-term stability. JOB SUMMARY This full-time position works within the scope of the OCS/AAS grant to provide family assessments and home studies for the permanent placement of children in the custody of the State of Alaska. The role also includes direct service delivery to pregnant clients, their partners, and families, including birth options counseling, case management, parenting support, adoption planning, referrals, and advocacy. QUALIFICATIONS Competencies: Maintain strict program, guest, and agency confidentiality. Treat each individual with dignity and respect. Set and observe appropriate personal limits and boundaries. Demonstrate self-motivation, maturity, dependability, creativity, and flexibility. Possess strong organizational skills and excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication abilities. Work effectively both independently and as part of a team. Education & Experience: Bachelor’s degree in social work, counseling, or a related field. Minimum two years of experience in child welfare or human services. Knowledge of adoption-related legal and emotional issues. Understanding of the needs and behaviors of children who have experienced abuse and neglect. Skills: Strong attention to detail. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Collaborative and able to manage multiple priorities effectively. DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES Adoption and Guardianship Home Studies for Resource Families Grant Work within the state grant requirements for home studies; maintain communication with Regional Permanency Specialists (RPS), OCS workers, and home study writers. Receive, assess, and evaluate referrals from RPS for completeness. Conduct pre-studies to verify referral information accuracy. Assign referrals to home study writers in a timely manner, adhering to grant timelines, and maintain the electronic database. Oversee contractor compliance with referral assignments to ensure timely completion; communicate regularly to address barriers and request extensions from RPS as needed. Evaluate contractor work for completeness and accuracy. Exercise decision-making authority in the review and approval of home studies. Conduct contractor evaluations every six months. Participate in and facilitate meetings, teleconferences, and workshops related to adoption issues. Pregnancy Support Provide birth options counseling to families facing unexpected pregnancies. Support clients in developing adoption or parenting plans. Assess client needs and make referrals for medical, financial, vocational, educational, and housing resources. Assist clients in identifying parenting support resources. Support birth parents in selecting adoptive families. Travel statewide as needed to provide services to pregnant women and facilitate adoption placements. Stay current on federal and state adoption regulations and laws, particularly regarding Native and non-Native relinquishments. Collect necessary documentation (e.g., Certificates of Indian Blood, Social Security numbers, Denali KidCare). Be available on evenings and weekends as needed to support birth families, using the agency cell phone. General Responsibilities Advocate for the agency’s open adoption philosophy. Participate in program and agency fundraising activities. Maintain accurate client files, including case notes and documents, in the electronic database. Hold a valid Alaska driver’s license and drive clients or perform agency errands as needed. Support families seeking home study services outside of grant programs. Perform other duties as assigned. TRAINING REQUIREMENTS (provided by AAS upon hire) Agency and department orientation First Aid/CPR De-escalation techniques Bloodborne pathogens Any other required or updated training Attendance at staff meetings and in-service training is mandatory.