Tribal Family Services Director

TITLE: Tribal Family Services Director
REPORTS TO: Tribal Family Services Director
DEPARTMENT: Tribal Family Service
CLASSIFICATION: EXEMPT / FULL-TIME
SALARY: DOE
CLOSING DATE: OPEN UNTIL FILLED

JOB SUMMARY:

Under general supervision of the Executive Director or his/her designee, the Tribal Family Services Director provides case management and program support of a highly responsible and confidential nature to achieve the goals and objectives of the Tribal Family Services Department under the Executive Director and state and federal guidelines.

The Tribal Family Services Director is a professional position that is responsible for the implementation of the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) and social services programs to ensure that the goals and objectives are achieved. The Tribal Family Services Director provides and supports the counseling, educating and/or referring of clients. This position provides both Advocacy and Case Management services with clients and families in a community-based setting.

Uphold the organization’s mission, and values as well as demonstrate an understanding of and compliance with organization’s policies and procedures.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Administer the Tribal Family Services and Social Services programs in an effective and professional manner including eligibility determinations, counseling and approving assistance or services. Programs include Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), General Assistance, Emergency Assistance, Burial Assistance, and Medical Assistance.
2. Supervision and direction for the Tribal Family Specialist, and youth and family counselor positions
3. Supervise and implement the processing of General Assistance, Burial Assistance, Emergency Assistance and Medical Assistance applications, including intake and assistance with clients to complete application, answering questions, making copies and/or assisting with requests for required documentation.
4. Responsible for the Tribal Adoption process including completing applications, counseling birth families and adoptive families, scheduling adoption hearings and making recommendations to the IRA Council.
5. Work with the Tribal Enrollment Director and Office of Children Services (OCS) to enroll children into the Tribe, when appropriate and/or necessary.
6. Work with and monitor Child in Need of Aid (CINA) cases to follow the ICWA laws. Includes participating in court proceedings, accompanying OCS staff on home investigations when possible, and meeting with OCS and family members when children need a safe home or placement.
7. Intervene in all CINA cases on behalf of the Tribe and coordinate with state agencies and/or other Tribes in the best interest of the child and family.
8. Conduct regularly scheduled reviews of cases and updates client information. Attend case management meetings and court hearings to help support families and children including creating family case plans with OCS.
9. Provide referral services where necessary and encourage clients to utilize Tribal and community resources in resolving or addressing social problems and/or family issues.
10. Meet on a regular basis with clients to offer support, guidance, encouragement and continued participation in promoting overall wellness, independence and safety.
11. Assures confidentiality of all client information.
12. Assures that all general and specific program-reporting requirements are met on a timely basis.
13. Maintains records, complies data and submits necessary reports.
14. Submit written reports to the Executive Director and Council on a monthly basis.
15. Some travel required.
16. Other duties as assigned.

Personal Traits

Employees of the Native Village of Kotzebue are expected to promote the organization’s mission and vision.  Employees are expected to demonstrate integrity, professionalism, accountability, cooperation with and consideration of others.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• BA in Social Services, Human Services or related field of study. Professional experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis. Prefer a Master’s degree.
• Must maintain client confidentiality.
• Must be able to pass a criminal background check. No prior convictions of child abuse, family violence, or other convictions that would affect the performance between state and federal agencies.
• Valid Alaska Driver’s License.

PREFERRED KNOWLEDGE, ABILITY, AND SKILLS:

All employees are expected to have general knowledge of Alaskan Native culture, traditions, history, and needs as well as customer service skills and the ability to manage their time and organize their work to ensure efficient performance.  In addition, all employees should have a general knowledge of computers, copiers, fax machines, and typical software, the ability to follow policy, procedure, instruction, communicate regularly with their supervisors, and the ability to understand and manage confidentiality.

• Knowledge of inter-relationships between OCS and other related state/federal agencies in order to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients and/or cases.
• Ability to work with families and children of all ages.
• Ability to effectively communicate, both orally and written, including the ability to analyze information in a logical, sequential manner and make concise written and/or oral presentations of findings.
• Ability to participate in court proceedings including the processing of legal forms and documents.
• Knowledge of BIA General Assistance and ICWA regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Knowledge of the lifestyle and culture of the people in Kotzebue and the Northwest Arctic Borough, including knowledge of family ties in the community and region.
• Experience with the Alaska Court System and legal processes.
• Experience with Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Ability to work well with the public and staff in a team approach.
• Preferred: Tribally enrolled member of the Native Village of Kotzebue.
• Preferred: ability to speak and/or understand Inupiaq.

Native preference will be given in recruiting and hiring, consistent with the Indian Self- Determination and Education Assistance Act, P.L. 93-638, as amended.

Kotzebue IRA is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and all qualified applicants will be considered for employment.