Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) Caseworker

Job Code:  21-1021                                                                Salary:  $17.79 - $34.30

Status: Full-Time, Non-Exempt                                             Location:  Community Service Bldg.

Department:  Social Services Division                                 Reports To: ICWA Program Manager

Telecommute: Yes                                                                    Fleet: Yes

SUMMARY:  Reporting to the Indian Child Welfare Program Manager, the ICWA Case Worker ensures that the best interests of Mohawk children are protected, and the requirements established in the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) and appropriate Tribal customs, codes, laws, and policy are implemented. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES include the following:

• Complete intake/ application for services for ICWA
• The ICWA Case Worker coordinates with all Federal, State, Tribal, and other social service programs for Indian Child Welfare and provides services and assistance when needed.
• Refer, coordinate, and collaborate with support services such as childcare, homemaker service, prenatal care, substance abuse treatment, employment training, counseling, or parenting classes to prevent more serious issues from developing, based on identified service needs.
• Refer clients to community resources for services such as job placement, legal aid, housing, medical treatment, or financial assistance, and provide concrete information, such as where to go and where to apply.
• Provides ongoing case work, by conducting home visits, monitoring delivery/need of services.  
• Provide transportation when necessary or needed for emergency services. 
• Attend and participate in case review meetings with Tribal/County Agency Case Workers when needed.
• Relay court orders and petitions to clients. 
• Provide adoption services and assistance to adoptive parents.
• Provide Foster Home certification both on and off the Reservation.
• Provide enrollment searches for individuals who think they may have ties to the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe.
• Provides Family Court Advocacy Services pertaining to Mohawk children, with the exclusion of custody issues between parents, throughout New York State and across the United States.     
• Provide Tribal representation in probation cases involving Mohawk youth.
• Assist in providing in-service training for all Social Service Agencies on the education and implementation of the Indian Child Welfare Act. 
• Attend and participate in Akwesasne Prevention Coalition. 
• Provide prevention strategies on a community level in the best interest of Mohawk children, youth, and families.
• Attend and participate in NICWA (National Indian Child Welfare Association) conferences yearly.
• Maintain case files for all ICWA cases including case/court notes.
• Assisting Traditional Support Program with trainings. 
• Assisting Traditional Support Program with clients.
• Focus on the ICWA cultural care packages. 
• Ensure all necessary forms and documents are in the case file.
• Travel on behalf of the program when necessary.
• Provide Monthly Reports to Program Manager.
• Attend trainings to enhance your caseworker abilities and knowledge to serve clients. 
• Accept other duties as programming needs develop or as assigned.
• Will comply with ALL SRMT policies, upon hire.
• Will Promote SRMT in a positive manner at all times.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:  There are no supervisor requirements for this position.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:  To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Due to the sensitive nature of information and personal files maintained within the Indian Child Welfare Act Program, we must maintain strict confidentiality at all times.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE: 

• Associate degree WITH
• 3 years’ experience in Child Welfare Services.

OR

• Bachelor’s degree Preferred
• Salary to be commensurate with education and/or experience; previous casework experience recommended.

OTHER SKILLS and/or ABILITIES Strong communication skills, both oral and written; Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other Directors, staff, community groups, and other related agencies, must have skill to learn and apply federal and state ICWA laws/regulations impacting Tribal Members/eligible members; Must be willing to maintain the Tribes working relationship with State and Federal Courts/Agencies.

Required to report suspected child abuse or maltreatment when reasonable cause to suspect that a child is an abused or maltreated child where the parent or guardian, custodian, or other person legally responsible for such child, information come before you, facts, condition, or circumstance which if correct, work render the child an abused or maltreated child. (SSL 415) Mandated Reporters in New York State – certain professionals are required by law to report suspected child abuse or maltreatment to the New York State Central Registry the law also assigns civil and criminal liability to those professionals who do not comply with their mandated reporter responsibilities. 

REASONING ABILITY:   Ability to express ideas and use logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Must have and maintain a valid driver’s license with a clean driver abstract in accordance with the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe’s Fleet Policy.

The successful candidate must pass a test for illegal substances prior to employment being confirmed. 

The successful candidate must pass a criminal background check, as well as a State Central Registry Clearance prior to employment.