Foster Care Program Assistant- Northeast Arkansas (Area 9)

Foster Care Program Assistant

Job No. 33918

This application is being used for vacancies in the following Counties: Cleburne, Crittenden, Cross, Independence, Jackson, Poinsett, Stone, White, Woodruff; You will be able to choose your county when applying.

Apply Online (Required)- copy and paste link into your browser to apply: https://arcareers.arkansas.gov/job/Searcy-DHS-PROGRAM-ASSISTANT-AR-72143/1082575100/

Special Work Conditions: Teaches and demonstrates living skills to clients, such as budgeting, cooking, menu planning, housekeeping, and childcare. Transports clients and/or family members for medical, dental, educational, and counseling appointments, sometimes in your personal vehicle. Aids clients in locating resources by contacting organizations or agencies for assistance. Assists with developing and monitoring behavior plans, parenting/anger management classes, and maintaining narratives detailing action taken on behalf of the client/family. Participates in training clients in employment skills by providing materials and tools, monitoring work assignments, and providing direct assistance when needed. Attends staff and mandatory training. Schedules, monitors, and documents family visits. Performs clerical duties, such as answering the telephone, routing calls, receiving referrals for clients, typing documents, filing, and handling mail. The Program Assistant must be able to lift to 50 Pounds (i.e., picking up children), have an AR driver’s license, maintain auto insurance, be willing to drive long distances during the day and night hours. Other duties as assigned.

Preferred Qualifications: The formal education of a high school diploma. Knowledge of agency and community resources organizations. Knowledge of basic computer functions and operations. Ability to teach or model functional living skills. Ability to prepare and present oral and written information. Ability to stand or sit for extended periods of time.

Summary: The (DHS) Program Assistant will function as a FOSTER CARE PROGRAM ASSISTANT and is responsible for providing social services to program recipients and support for families.

Responsibilities: The DHS Program Assistant/ FOSTER CARE PROGRAM ASSISTANT/ is responsible for completing supervised visitations between children in Foster Care and their bio parents and documenting these visits after they have taken place. They will also occasionally take the children and sometimes their parents to various appointments that have been scheduled. Occasionally they will be responsible for teaching home making skills as well as parenting classes. These are only the basic duties for this position, as the duties can changed based on the needs of the children in care. This position requires extensive travel throughout the state of Arkansas. There will be frequent overtime available with this position as well as the opportunity to volunteer for more paid overtime on the weekends. A valid Arkansas Driver’s Licenses is required for the position.

Knowledge, Abilities, and Skills: Knowledge of agency and community resource organizations. Knowledge of applicable computer functions and applications. Ability to teach or model functional living skills. Ability to observe and evaluate contacts and case development. Ability to interview clients and collect and evaluate data. Ability to prepare and present oral and written information.

Minimum Qualifications: The formal education equivalent of a high school diploma; one year of experience in a social service is preferred -OR- one year of any solid job experience will be considered. A valid Arkansas Driver’s Licenses is required for the position.

Salary/Benefits: This position provides a minimum starting salary of $28,500.00 with excellent benefits including group health and life insurance, state pension/retirement plans, paid maternity leave after 1 year, paid holidays and annual leave time off.

Learn more about DHS: The Department of Human Services is a place for people passionate about serving others and changing lives for the better. We care for Arkansans of all ages and ensure places like childcare centers and nursing homes are safe. We are the safety net for the most vulnerable Arkansans. Whether you answer the phones, take applications, protect children, or help care for residents or patients at one of our facilities, you make a difference by working at DHS. At DHS, we take care of our employees so you can help care for others. Go to: https://humanservices.arkansas.gov/

“The State of Arkansas does not discriminate in access to employment opportunities or in employment or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetic information.”

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $28,500.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday
• On call
• Weekends as needed

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Searcy, AR: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: Multiple locations