Home Finding Specialist Job Details Job Location Herkimer Road Office - Utica, NY Position Type Full Time Education Level 4 Year Degree Salary Range $25.47 - $25.47 Hourly Travel Percentage Up to 25% Job Shift Day Description Function/Overall Responsibilities: Work within the Foster Care Department as a member of a team responsible for the placement of youth, recruitment, retention of foster parents, training of foster parents and staff and Certification/Approval of Kinship/Regular Foster homes.Principal Assigned Responsibilities: + Attend necessary Train-the-Trainer programs. workshops and in-service training and supervision required to perform the job. + Provide pre-service and selected in-service training for foster parents in accordance with New York State Children and Family Services policy and HGS Policy and Procedure, + Complete required documentation, paperwork and home visits related to foster parent Certification/Approval to include: + Initial home study, documentation of home consultation meetings and other record keeping as needed. + Set up foster home files containing all required and relevant materials. + Oversee/complete recertification documentation of existing foster families. + Work closely with the Kinship Specialists in opening Expedited and Regular Kinship Homes and Certifying Kinship Homes. + Take part in recruitment and retention efforts in conjunction with Communications and Development Department and Watertown program. + Receive client referrals via telephone, e-mail or mail to determine appropriateness for foster care and commence the matching process with Certified/Approved Foster Homes. This may include regular/Therapeutic, Kinship or Respite referrals. + Preparing for and leading the programs weekly rounds meeting which includes, providing up-to-date referral and placement information and collecting up-to-date information from the rounds team. Information will be utilized to update respective documents and spreadsheets. + Gather information and prepare documents and spreadsheets for iffier/intra departmental sharing. This would include for example, LDSS's, HGS Quality Improvement Department, Family Court and any other agency/department as determined by need or at the directions of the HGS Supervisor. + Responsible for accurate and timely submission of activities in NYS Connections System and HGS Electronic Health Record. + Perform other related duties as deemed appropriate by the Director /Assistant Director of Foster Care, other Foster Care supervisory staff. Qualifications Education and Experience Requirements: + Minimum bachelor's degree in human service or related field. + One-year relevant experience required. Prior training experience preferred. + Valid New York State Driver's License.