Careers

Description:

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:

The King County Kinship Navigator provides information and referral services to kinship caregivers and helps caregivers access the Kinship Caregiver Support Program which provides assistance to help kinship families meet basic needs. The Navigator works closely with local and state coalitions, community organizations, and the King County Kinship Collaboration to provide advocacy, resources, and referrals on behalf of kinship caregivers.

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

The Kinship Navigator helps caregivers access the Kinship Caregiver Support Program (KCSP) which provides assistance with urgent needs such as food, clothing, transportation, household items, school and youth activities, and one-time help with rent or utilities to prevent eviction or utility shut-offs. The Kinship Navigator works with relative caregivers of minor children to inform these persons and the local community about available resources. The Navigator provides encouragement, support and helps facilitate the participation of caregivers in services and programs that will assist in maintaining the children in their care and homes.

This is a full time, 37.5 hours per week, benefits eligible position and includes generous paid time off.  

Responsibilities

1. Provide information and assistance to caregivers residing in King County through screening, assessment, service planning, advocacy, and referrals to access service delivery systems.
2. Maintain a working knowledge of the formal child welfare administration and informal kinship care network.
3. Maintain client case load levels to assist the program in reaching its performance commitments.
4. Provide exceptional customer service and provider-to-client etiquette while assisting kinship caregivers through phone calls or in-person visits.
5. Determine level of support needed for caregiver families and schedule home visits when necessary to support families’ goals.
6. Prepare and submit supplemental requests for purchasing needed goods and services identified by caregiver.
7. Ensure all client records and information are kept in accordance with agency standards.
8. Provide effective public outreach, advocacy and education to other agencies, businesses, churches, and community members to ensure that the program is respected and know to be an important source of services to the community.
9. Develop and maintain responsive and supportive working relationships with appropriate community, social and governmental organizations.
10. Support King County Kinship Collaboration through participation and Kinship Navigator work.
11. Participate in monthly Kinship Collaboration meetings, statewide Kinship Navigator meetings and the Kinship Oversight Committee.

General Responsibilities:

1. Observe/follow guidelines on confidentiality rights of clients and respect their privacy.
2. Maintain accurate record of hours worked and turn in timesheets on schedule.
3. Attend trainings required of employees as scheduled.
4. Participate as team member in staff and supervisory meetings as required.
5. Contribute to and support a positive, team-oriented, culturally-diverse work environment.
6. Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

JOB CONDITIONS:

This position requires the employee to work in an office environment where there is noise from telephones and conversations among employees and clients as well as working in the community and various outreach sites including, on occasion, the clients’ homes. Working conditions may include interruptions, and interactions with individuals who in crisis. Extensive use of telephones, computers and related office equipment is typical of this position.  

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL ACUITY REQUIREMENTS:

The requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Able to prioritize multiple tasks, and to work independently and as a team member.
2. Hearing ability for phone calls and in person meetings
3. Excellent verbal and communication skills.
4. Able to hand write legibly.
5. Able to read normal size print and handwritten notes.
6. Able to sit for sustained periods of time.
7. Mobility/dexterity of hands/arms to enable keying into locked areas as well as using office equipment.
8. Regularly able to perform duties as assigned.
9. Able to make independent decisions and apply sound judgment in performing job duties.

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: (Qualifications applicant must possess to be considered for the position.)

1. Bachelor’s degree in social services or a related field preferred or commensurate experience in social services.
2. Two years’ experience working with families to deliver emergency services and/or family support services.

1. Ability to work effectively with individuals of diverse backgrounds.

1. • Knowledge of resources available in King County for families.
   • Proficient computer skills and experience with databases.
   • Understanding of child/family systems and resources.
   • Flexibility to work some occasional evening and weekend hours.
   • Valid WA driver’s license, insurance and access to insured vehicle for outreach and occasional home visits. Ability to comply with agency employee driving policy.
   • Commitment to working within the mission, goals and objective of Catholic Community Services.

Preferred Qualifications:

1.  Experience providing services to foster families or kinship families, i.e. grandparents, aunts, or other relatives raising children.

2.  Fluency in second language.

APPLY THROUGH CCA website