Family & Permanency Specialist

The Permanency Specialist will provide services for the Adoption unit to help facilitate permanency for children in foster care. Services include matching resource families with children awaiting permanency, writing Family Profiles and Child Profiles, Child Preparation, Child Specific Recruitment, Placement, Finalization, and Post-Permanency Services.

The Permanency Specialist will also oversee the coordination of the Adopt Lehigh Valley Kids television segment with the WFMZ news station anchor/reporter and caseworker of the permanency youth selected for the monthly segment. The Permanency Specialist will also evaluate, assist with planning, and promote the development of agency services as they pertain to the matching unit of service provision. Additionally, the Permanency Specialist will have the opportunity to gain experience understanding and utilizing the principles of Trust Based Relational Intervention©

Qualifications include:

• Masters in Social Work Preferred and Bachelors in Social Work or related field required.
• A minimum of three years’ experience in a human service setting serving children and/or families. Experience in foster care and adoption setting is preferred but not required.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the effects that separation and loss, abuse and neglect has on a child as well as complex developmental trauma.
• A safe driving record, valid driver’s license, a reliable automobile, and insurance are required.
• Flexibility in scheduling work hours is necessary to meet the needs of children and families.
• Excellent interpersonal and communications skills, engagement skills, advocacy skills, organization skills, computer skills and ability to work as a team member is critical.
• Child Protection Clearances PA Act 153 requires that all prospective employees complete the following clearance and background checks: PA Child Abuse History Clearance, PA State Police Criminal Record Check and FBI Criminal Record/Fingerprint Check.
• Must have an understanding of and appreciation for the Mission of The Salvation Army.

• Generous paid time off every year that includes: holidays, vacation time and sick time.
• Employer funded Pension Plan (company contributions begin after 1 year of employment)
• Health Care Plan
• Eligibility for supplemental insurance plans including Short Term Disability, AFLAC and Voluntary Term Life
• Most importantly – a job with a good purpose!