Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) Representative

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB SUMMARY:

North Fork Rancheria’s Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) Representative acts and advocates in state court system for the rights of Tribal Citizens and their children.  This position also provides case management systems (CMS) to the children and families engaged within child welfare services (CWS), state juvenile court systems, and ICWA system. Under the direction of the Director of Child & Family Services, the ICWA Representative is responsible for the duties associated with the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) Program along with general Child Social Welfare issues related to NFR’s Child & Family social services programs. The focus of this position is to support and promote Indian Family stability under the ICWA guidelines.

 DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Support and advocates for the needs of Tribal Citizens and their children with the understanding and knowledge of the Federal and State Indian Child Welfare Act.
• Maintains confidentiality and respect for information regarding patients and other team members; abides by NFR Rules of Confidentiality and general privacy regulations regarding privacy.
• Coordinates and oversees daily operations and activities of the ICWA, specifically Chapter 21, Indian Child Welfare Act: PL 95-608 25 U.S.C.
• Responsible for representing NFR and advocating at court hearings, develops and submits necessary court reports to the appropriate agency within the expected/designated time frame.
• Supports the needs of clients by providing crisis intervention regarding issues of possible abuse and/or neglect. Situations may occur at any time needing to collect and complete investigative reporting within prescribed time frames making availability a factor for the position.
• Responsible for the updating and maintenance of confidential case files, regularly reviews program procedures, data, and case files to ensure accuracy of information.
• Maintains and consistently ensures meeting the schedule of activities pertaining to ICWA functions, (i.e., court hearings, family and minor visits, scheduled meetings).
• Works closely with various child and social services agencies in defining issues/concerns, collection of data, establishment of facts. May be requested to conduct assessments and/or home studies with such agencies.
• Establishes and maintains cooperative and collaborative relationships with providers and for outside service agencies.
• Attends and actively participates in all meetings (e.g., department meetings, program meetings, employee staff meetings) and other activities as required or assigned.
• Attends workshops/seminars as necessary to increase skills and knowledge to improve their ability to approach work effectively.
• Supports the overall needs of the clients by working flexible, odd, or extended hours when needed and necessary. This may include availability and participation in issues that may occur after hours, weekends, and holidays.
• Supports the needs of the organization by traveling to other locations when job functions require participation.
• Demonstrates awareness of, and compliance with, organizational mission and objective of NFR to provide support services for all members of the community.
• Displays a positive, professional, and respectful demeanor always toward employees, peers, professional contacts, and Tribal members, maintaining a professional appearance and positive image for organization.
• Contributes to the team by promoting positive staff interaction, maintains open communication with other programs/departments and works to solve issues as they arise in the work environment.
• Other work-related duties as assigned by Director or Tribal Council. Duties and responsibilities may be added, deleted, or changed at any time at the discretion of management, formally or informally either verbally or in writing.
• Coordinate with North Fork Tribal TANF and other tribal, local, and state providers for provision of services for North Fork children and families.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, LICENSE/CERTIFICATION& SKILLS:

• Possess Associate’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, or Political Science.
• Minimum of two (2) years of directly related experience.
• Minimum of one (1) year of professional social services.
• Valid CA driver’s license.
• Ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing and able to quickly build and maintain rapport with people of differing backgrounds and experience.
• Positive professional insight.
• Understands the need for flexibility and dependability within the position.
• Demonstrated good problem-solving skills, sound judgment.
• Modern office practices and procedures including scanning, faxing, etc.
• Intermediate to advanced software skills with MS Office suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Publisher, Visio, SharePoint).
• Attention to detail and excellent follow-through on work tasks.
• Able to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Environmental Conditions:

Work generally takes place within an office environment. Air quality is good with general adequate lighting at desk/workstations. Noise conditions are moderate and limited to self and others on telephone calls and general interactions with coworkers and public.

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to lift to 20 pounds and push up to 50 pounds (on wheels).
• Must be able to hear staff on the phone and those who are served in-person and speak clearly to communicate information to clients, visitors, and staff.
• Must be able to read memos, computer screens, personnel forms, and clinical and administrative documents.

• Must have high manual dexterity.
• Must be able to reach above the shoulder level to work, must be able to bend, squat and sit, stand, stoop, crouch, reach, kneel, twist/turn

NFR complies with the Indian Preference Act. Preference in hiring is given to qualified Native Americans in accordance with the Indian Preference Act (Title 25, US Code, Section 472 and 473).  Subject to, but not in derivation of the Act, we are an equal opportunity employer.

• Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) Representative Job Description

• Employment Application Instructions

• NFR Employment Application