About the Role
As a Foster Care Case Manager you will impact the lives of children placed in licensed foster homes through coordination of service providers based on the service plan that is created for the client. You will be responsible for the coordination and provision of services to foster children, foster families, and foster adoptive families.

What You'll Do
As a member of our team you will have an impact on our clients through accomplishment of the following responsibilities:

• Participate as a member of the Foster Care team to meet the physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs of the foster children during the time they are placed in a Buckner foster home, as outlined in each client's plan of service.
• Provide ongoing case management for clients in Buckner foster homes.
• Participate in regular supervision and support with the client and foster parents during frequent home visits, office visits, and telephone contact as required by state licensing and Buckner policy and procedures.
• Provide individual, family and support group counseling to foster care clients.
• Complete thorough documentation for case files in a timely manner in accordance with licensing requirements and Buckner policies and procedures.
• Maintain all documentation of client's files in accordance with established minimum standards and Buckner policies and procedures. Audit client files on a regular basis to ensure that all requirements are met.
• Participate in child placing decisions for children being placed in foster homes.
• Timely and thoroughly complete all necessary admission and assessment paperwork; plan and complete discharge paperwork.
• Develop, monitor and review with clients their Plan of Service designed to increase strengths, address needs, and reduce conflict in the home.
• Provide crisis intervention.
• Participate in the screening and licensing of potential foster parents. Complete home studies for potential foster parents as part of the licensing process as required.
• Participate in in-service training, including SAMA, CPR/First Aid, Medications and any other clinical related training. Attend and participate in Buckner activities for foster parents and foster children.
• Facilitate and lead trainings for foster parents to provide them with pre-service and continuing education.
• Participate in recruiting foster homes by making presentation to the general public as required.
• Communicate with DFPS and other placement agencies by telephone; meet with placement agency caseworkers to discuss client needs; attend court hearings and permanency conferences for children.
• Supervise client visits with parents as requested.
• Attend and participate in permanency conferences, family group conferences, circle of support meetings and court hearings as needed.
• Prepare progress reports for placement agency caseworkers as requested.
• Consult with supervisor on specific needs of clients.
• Report suspected child abuse/neglect to supervisor, DFPS, and appropriate law enforcement agencies.
• Work nights and weekends as required to meet business needs. Participate in 24-hour on call service on a rotating basis.
• Provide personal transportation for home visits and other business related meetings and events.
• Maintain compliance with all Buckner policies, procedures and requirements. Maintain compliance with all state and federal laws and regulatory requirements.

What You'll Bring to the Team
To be successful in this role and a great addition to our team we need you to come with the following:

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in social work or other human services field required.
• Knowledge and experience must meet Texas Minimum Standards for Child Placing Agencies.
• Requires a minimum of 2 years prior related experience.
• Requires ability to work nights and weekends as required.
• Requires ability to work effectively with culturally diverse youth and families.
• Requires proficient ability to speak, read and write English. Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred.
• Requires knowledge and understanding of the legalities involved with medical/clinical intervention.
• Requires excellent counseling and problem-solving skills.
• Requires excellent public speaking skills and the ability to successfully communicate in a professional manner with a multi-ethnic population base in the community; ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing.
• Requires ability to observe and make accurate assessments of situations and individuals and determine appropriate action required.
• Requires proficient working knowledge and understanding of the applicable regulatory standards and requirements governing programs and services.
• Requires ability to speak clearly and make self clearly understood in face to face interactions; to articulate with accuracy to speak on the phone
• Requires ability to relate positively, influentially, and sensitively to a broad spectrum of persons in a variety of multi-tiered relationships and settings; requires ability to work effectively with individuals in a multi-ethnic population.
• Requires ability to facilitate meetings, trainings, and workshops, as required.
• Requires ability to recognize differences in sounds, such as voices/noises that are loud and playful instead of angry and combative; and ability to differentiate tones and volume in conversations.
• Requires ability to prioritize tasks and respond in crisis/pressure situations; requires flexibility to meet changing business needs.
• Requires ability to observe and make accurate assessments of situations and take proper action.
• Requires ability to perform tasks with little supervision. Most tasks are governed by standard practices; however, some are not. Innovative thinking is required. Detail-oriented, with good organizational skills required. Requires leadership ability characterized by servant leadership, integrity and honesty. Must possess the ability to lead through influence as opposed to authority.
• Requires personality attuned to the requirements of meeting needs of clients and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees and the public.
• Requires ability to travel to various geographic locations and some overnight stays.
• Requires ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Requires proficient ability to exhibit detail-oriented skills necessary to understand and manage a wide-range of information.
• Proficient working knowledge and ability to accurately and timely operate and perform computer related tasks with specific equipment and software applications required.
• Report suspected child abuse/neglect to foster care leadership and appropriate law enforcement agencies.
• Requires professional commitment to Christian principles and teachings so as to perform tasks and responsibilities in alignment with Buckner's mission, vision, and values.
• Requires ability to drive assigned vehicle(s) or personal vehicle, with appropriate state license, following all laws applicable; must provide proof of liability insurance and must be eligible to be insured under Buckner's insurance policy. Must be age 21 or older to drive on behalf of Buckner.
• Requires ability to use up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force continuously to move objects and/or people.
• Requires ability to walk, stand and sit, sometimes for prolonged periods of time.
• Requires sufficient good health to properly discharge duties. Employees shall not be permitted to work who have infectious disease or skin lesion for the duration of the communicability.

Preferred Qualifications
In addition to the amazing qualifications and experiences listed above, if we had our say, we would also look for:

• Counseling and/or social work licensure.
• A willingness and desire to build and maintain awesome working relationships with your coworkers, volunteers, and the community served.

Job Perks
At Buckner one of the ways we show value to our team members is by offering the following perks:

• Medical and Dental benefits for employees and their eligible dependents;
• Life insurance;
• Short Term and Long Term Disability benefits;
• Paid Time Off and Holidays;
• Paid Parental Leave;
• Retirement Savings Plan; and
• The 5Star Fun Benefit: encourages employees to spread good cheer to their co-workers and others, creating a happy, healthy environment for all!

The same way we treat our employees is how we treat all applicants – with respect. Buckner is an equal opportunity employer (EEO is the law). You will be treated fairly throughout our recruiting process and without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status in consideration for a career at Buckner.