Adoption Specialist (Extreme Recruiter)

The Adoption Specialist (Extreme Recruiter) leads recruitment for the hardest-to-place youth within Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition’s child welfare team, concentrating on ages 10–18, sibling groups, and youths with emotional, developmental, or behavioral needs. The role structures 12–20 weeks of team meetings and ongoing permanency planning toward adoption or guardianship. This position is based onsite in St. Louis, MO.

Responsibilities

• Foster care is intended as a temporary living arrangement.
• Every child is adoptable and deserves a permanent, loving home.
• Preference for relative or kinship placements; non-relative placements are also explored.
• Maintaining multiple permanency options is encouraged.
• Engage all individuals connected to a child to offer support and information.
• Permanency is pursued even if a youth is not yet emotionally or behaviorally stable.
• Assist case managers and court officials with compliance related to the Fostering Connections to Success Act, Missouri statutes, and Missouri Children’s Division policies on relative/kin notification and placement.
• Attend court hearings, internal and external team meetings, agency meetings, and professional consultations; most meetings are conducted in person.
• Schedule, facilitate, and participate in meetings with the youth’s team, including ER supervisors, case managers, supervisors, guardians ad litem, DJOs, therapists, placement providers, and other stakeholders.
• Foster clear communication with referring agencies and team members regarding case updates and family information; respond to supervision and feedback professionally.
• Collaborate effectively within a team and engage in ongoing training and professional development.
• Complete thorough, accurate, and timely documentation, including intake forms, activity notes, billing records, progress notes, maintenance plans, assessments, profiles, and closing summaries.
• Maintain accurate client files, records, billing sheets, and daily activity logs in line with funding and program requirements.
• Request, review, and analyze relevant documents such as psychological evaluations, IEPs, therapy reports, birth records, and related materials.
• Conduct case record reviews using Children’s Division, contracted case management, and court files to identify relatives/kin and collect pertinent information.
• Complete trauma and loss histories from gathered records and documentation.
• Perform assessments at referral, during service delivery, and at case closure to evaluate progress and outcomes.
• Utilize software and databases such as Salesforce and Genopro to track program outcomes and maintain records.
• Lead diligent searches to identify a minimum of 40 family members and other supportive connections for each youth.
• Explore permanency planning options with family members, developing formal natural support networks when possible.
• Implement child-specific, targeted, and general recruitment strategies in alignment with program guidelines.
• Ensure adoption readiness assessments are completed at intake and updated throughout the case, including ongoing review of placement stability, health, relationships, and educational needs.
• Assist families in preparing for licensure by explaining the licensing process and supporting home licensing requirements.
• Conduct home or community visits with children and families to support placement stability.
• Place internal referrals to agency services such as Family Works, Little Wishes, support groups, and training opportunities.
• Make external referrals to community resources and services including therapy, evaluations, trainings, and other supports.
• Provide community resources and support to relative resource providers to promote placement stability.
• Maintain professionalism in all interactions with families and professionals.
• Respect and engage effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Respond to communications in a respectful and timely manner.
• Meet all outcome expectations for Extreme Recruitment®.
• Willing to learn and use relevant software tools such as Genopro and Salesforce.
• Travel within the service area, including St. Louis City, St. Louis County, Jefferson, St. Charles, Lincoln, Warren, and Franklin counties.
• Complete a daily activity log and maintain an up-to-date Outlook calendar.
• Adhere to the Coalition’s Shared Values, Employee Code of Conduct, and Employee Code of Ethics.
• Assist with administrative tasks and volunteer responsibilities as needed.
• Support other agency programs to help reach organizational objectives.
• Perform additional duties as assigned, with or without accommodation.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work or a related field.
• Experience collaborating with interdisciplinary teams and employing innovative strategies to overcome obstacles.
• Direct experience in the child welfare field with knowledge of foster care and adoption, including family interviews, engagement, and assessment.

Technologies

• Salesforce
• Genopro

Benefits

• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Loan forgiveness
• Mileage reimbursement
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Vision insurance

Agency Shared Values

• We insist on fairness and respect. We ensure safety, opportunity, access, and support to be heard for everyone.
• We are family. We are connected and support one another in meeting the needs of our own families and the families we serve. We assume the best and are committed to each other.
• We celebrate differences and harness the power that diversity brings. Every viewpoint is heard and honored.
• We are intentional about knowing better and doing better, using innovation and solution-focused approaches with courageous passion and excellence.
• We respect and engage everyone’s unique strengths and talents so each person can contribute to their full potential.
• We are an agency built on integrity, maintaining a culture of trust, respect, transparency, and honesty. We walk in our truth and uphold ethical standards.
• We stand up for each other and what is right for our clients and stakeholders with truth, vulnerability, and accountability.
• We develop authentic relationships by being flexible and open-minded and leveraging the strengths of each individual to achieve the best outcomes for children and families. Everyone contributes to leadership.

Disclaimer

The statements above describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees in this role. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required.

Organizational Relationships / Scope

This position reports to the Director of Family Search and Engagement. Collaborative consultation will be sought from all program teams.

Working Conditions

• Sitting, standing, walking, climbing stairs, lifting up to 25 pounds, and occasional pushing/pulling.
• Work occurs in both community and office settings.
• Local travel by automobile to client homes and partner organizations is required.
• Primary office base and typical hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
• Evening and weekend hours may be required to accommodate family and agency training needs.

Non-Essential Functions

• Assists with administrative tasks and volunteer responsibilities as needed.
• Supports other agency programs to achieve organizational goals.
• Performs additional duties as assigned, with or without accommodation.