LOCATION: Brooklyn, NY

REPORTS TO: Casework Supervisor

DEPARTMENT: Wendy's Wonderful Kids

SCHEDULE: Full Time / Hybrid

$1000 Hiring Incentive

Agency Background

MercyFirst is a not-for-profit human and social service agency that has been serving children and families in need since we were founded by the Sisters of Mercy/Hermanas de las Misericordia in 1894. Today our agency continues to address the emotional and physical needs of children and families in Brooklyn, Queens and across Long Island through innovative treatments and life-changing interventions. We provide community-based prevention and family foster care services, group homes in the community for struggling children and families within the child welfare and juvenile justice systems, and short-term residential services for unaccompanied migrant children. Each year, MercyFirst serves more than 3,000 children, teenagers and families overcome enormous obstacles, re-imagine their futures and develop their full potential.

Program Background

To meet the needs of New York City’s ever-changing foster care population, Enhanced Family Foster Care (EFFC) combines and replaces the previous separately contracted Family Foster Care (FFC) and Treatment Family Foster Care (TFFC) programs. EFFC recognizes that all children in care have experienced some level of trauma, that their needs may change over time, and that their strengths must be supported so they can reach their full potential.

Position Summary

The WWK Recruiter maintains a caseload of a minimum of 12 active youth and engages in child-center focused recruitment on the youths’ behalf. The WWK Recruiter builds a relationship with the youth on their caseload and actively pursues locating a permanent resource family for the youth.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelors in social work or related field
• 1 year of related work experience in serving children and/or families
• Knowledge of and/or training in child development stages
• Knowledge of and/or training in family dynamics
• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written)
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Outlook
• Ability to engage with clients
• A valid driver’s license is strongly preferred
• Understanding and willingness to commit to the agency’s Mission, core values, Sanctuary Commitments and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB).

Responsibilities

• Build trusting relationships with a minimum of 12 youth at any given time and work 1:1 with them to
• Maintain, at a minimum, once monthly face to face contacts with the youth.
• Conduct in-depth reviews of existing case records.
• Conduct diligent searches of significant past and present relationships with adults familiar to the youth.
• Assess the youth’s readiness for adoption and hep with any needs that should be addressed prior to moving forward with a resource/family match.
• Develop a customized recruitment strategy best suited for each youth.
• Help prepare both the youth and the identified family for adoption or guardianship.
• Collaborate with case planners, tutors, educational specialist, housing/employment specialist, care managers, teachers, guidance counselors, birth parents, foster parents and any additional supports in the youth’s life.
• Complete administrative responsibilities, including timely entry of information in CONNECTIONS and Dave Thomas Foundation on-line Platform.

Benefits/Perks

• A comprehensive health insurance package including medical, dental and vision plans for you and your family
• 403B retirement benefits
• Employer-paid life insurance and long-term disability insurance
• Generous paid time off (vacation, personal, sick, 12 paid holidays)
• Free employee assistance program through National EAP
• Insurance discounts for our staff and their families
• Trainings to support professional and personal development
• Employee wellness program
• Employee recognition activities

Salary Range

$53,000 - $57,000 per year

Hiring bonus of $1,000 after 500 worked hours

MercyFirst is an inclusive, anti-racist, multicultural organization and an Equal Opportunity Employer who welcomes prospective employees from diverse backgrounds for all levels at the agency. We strive for a workforce that is reflective of the communities we serve, and do not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, religion or creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, disability, age (18 and over), military status, prior record of arrest or conviction, marital status, partnership status, care giver status, pregnancy, genetic information or predisposition or genetic characteristic, unemployment status, status as a victim or witness of domestic violence, sex offenses or stalking, consumer credit history, or any other status protected by federal, state, and/or city law. This includes, but is not limited to, employment actions against and treatment of employees and applicants for employment.