Indian Child Welfare (ICW) Director

In order to be considered for any vacancy within the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas, an application must be completed. If you are among the qualified candidates, you will receive a call or email from one of our coordinators to schedule an interview. Once your application is completed, please send it to the Human Resources Department at HR@ktttribe.org.

Job Description 

Position:                    Indian Child Welfare (ICW) Director

Supervisor:              Health and Human Services Administrator        

Division:                    Health and Human Services Administration

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Indian Child Welfare (ICW) Director position is established to provide Indian child welfare and family support services to the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas (KTTT) eligible children and their families. The ICW Director will be responsible for the day-to-day operation of the program. Duties will include, managing the project, reporting, interaction with clients attending court hearings, and working relationships with the court system. The position will manage service referrals for individuals and households, provide advocacy and follow-up for child welfare services, and certify, develop, and recruit families to provide out-of-home placements for Indian children.

The ICW Director performs all duties associated with daily operations management and support for the ICW Program, Tribal families, and Tribal children.

This position requires excellent attendance, good communication skills, and uncompromised attention to client confidentiality and detail. The ICW Director shall provide supervision to all ICW Case Workers, ICW contractors, Administrative Assistant(s), and any other applicable ICW staff members. This position is supervised by the Health and Human Services Administrator.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: 

Direct Services Functions: 

• Attend and work with tribal courts on child welfare cases and monitor or intervene in cases as required.
• Work in identifying alternative out-of-home placements for children in Tribal custody and receive and assist with referrals for placements in specialized services if KTTT foster home is not able to meet the unique emotional, behavioral, or other type of long-term care facility.
• Search to identify Kickapoo foster family homes, and when applicable KTTT adoptive parents through active efforts in the community and statewide recruitment.
• Maintain casework with emphasis on collecting and compiling factual data on individuals, families, and groups to determine service needs and address identified problems to include transportation.
• Provide and monitor service referrals, provide home studies, assessments and case outcomes through follow-up contact with individuals, families and service providers in all areas of services as to treatment, prevention and advocacy.
• Collaborate with area service providers including tribal and state services, Indian Health Service, KCHC, New Hope, Tribal Education, KTTT Housing Department, Social Services, Tribal police and Tribal court, and when applicable local law enforcement or county, and the KTTT Administration
• Assist and attend meetings and trainings on child abuse and neglect, foster care, adoption and related subjects and activities to gain skills to increase and enhance foster care/adoptive services.
• Serve as advocate for tribal children and tribal family unit in representing and articulating needs and in providing liaison between Tribal members and social service providers and agencies, especially in foster care placements.
• Facilitates and consults in case management meetings with program staff and other departments who may be a part of the case.
• Assist ICW children and families with referrals, advocacy, case management, and to guide program staff to ensure children and families gain access obtain all necessary services both internal and external of the Tribe
• Lead and participate in collaborative efforts to improve ICW services for the community and develop strategic partnerships to support wrap around services.
• Will ensure that all investigations are ethical and sensitive to the Tribes culture.
• Responsible for reporting and drafting the case assignments as well as all updates to the ICWA.
• Provide consultation and direction in case sessions with other departments and to staff and partners when applicable as related to cases that require departmental services collaboration and when complex ICW cases are encountered.
• Performs functions of caseworker as needed, transporting clients, home visits, and attending hearings, etc.
• Provides case management and participates as liaison and coordinator for complex cases which may require coordination across service departments and areas
• Must ensure all staff accurately complete and update case reports and documentation and developing case management practices and procedures as necessary to coordinate services to clients.
• Maintain updated records and reports as required for all cases, children, foster families or other stakeholders and services.
• Identify program referrals and resources based on research, in depth interviews and provide report and recommendations for children when necessary to outsource care and or treatment as recommended by medical or mental health professionals or as mandate by court.
• Must be able to perform immediate crisis intervention.
• Lead team in crisis situations.
• This position is required to support the foster home during exigent and emergency situations related to children, staff or operations, and when applicable ensure ICW staff provide support to foster home as assigned. 

Supervision, Staff and Program Management and Oversight:

• Ensure the smooth operations, which includes scheduling and oversight of staff, supplies, and any other program need which may impact operations for the program.
• Responsible for supervision and oversight for case management and investigative services.
• Track monitor, oversee, follow up and manage ICW case management services for children and families.
• Shall conduct employee performance appraisals, conduct regular staff meetings and foster a high quality and high performing staff team.
• Develop and propose professional training and staff development plans that are aligned to program goals and objectives.
• Conduct a department assessment and services evaluation plan, lead program self-assessment and develop or update program goals
• Develop, Update, and draft department procedures
• Develop, Update, and draft departmental policy aligned as needed
• Assist to develop foster home guidelines, procedures and when necessary.
• Work alongside the foster home director to develop and or update program standards.
• Assist foster home to develop ongoing monitoring plan to improve service and program quality for the children under the conservatorship of ICW.
• Responsible for the implementation and maintenance of a Title IV-B program directly with the Administration for Children and Families and the Department of Health and Human Resources.
• Participates with the review and revision of grant applications in order to determine the suitability and sustainability of the program. Shall attend all required meetings and functions as requested.
• Oversee grants management administration for ICW including reporting requirements, monitoring for compliance and use of allocated funding.
• Will reconcile all prepaid checks with the Accounting Department as required by accounting.
• Implement the goals and objectives of the grants.
• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual narrative reports to supervisor, Tribal Administration, tribal council, general counsel, and funding agencies as required by grant.
• Prepare impromptu reports for Tribal Council as required and requested
• Participates with annual program budget development and monitors expenses.
• Perform other work-related tasks as assigned by immediate supervisor.

EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: 

Minimum Qualifications: Must possess a bachelor’s degree in, social work, sociology, psychology, counseling, or other applicable related field; and a minimum of five years casework experience acquired post degree, in a public or private Social Service Agency, counseling, or other health and human services assignment appropriate to the position working with at risk your and families.  Three years of experience in staff supervision and management.

Or

Master’s degree in counseling, Psychology, Social Work, Sociology, Social Services or other applicable related field; and a minimum of 3 years post graduate work in a Social Services Agency, counseling or other health and human services assignment appropriate for the position working with at risk youth and families.

National Indian Child Welfare Certificate (training will be provided)

Preferred Qualifications:  Master’s degree in counseling, Psychology, Social Work, Sociology, Social Services or another applicable related field. Three years management and supervision. Five years in a leadership position in social services, counseling, or health and human services position working with at risk youth and families. 

NATIVE AMERICAN PREFERENCE IS OBSERVED:

KTTT recognizes preference for KTTT tribal members and qualified Native American tribal members including preferential treatment in recruitment, hiring, promotions, layoffs and reductions in force so long as they meet minimum job qualifications.