Pregnancy, Parenting And Adoption Counselor

Description

Position Summary:

• The Pregnancy, Parenting and Adoption Counselor provides counseling, education, referral, and support services to birth and adoptive families while also provides community education and outreach about pregnancy, parenting, and Adoption. 

Job Duties:

• Provide counseling services as requested to pregnancy clients, parenting clients, birthparents, and their families.
• Assist with placement of children in adoptive homes including preparing legal documents and taking relinquishments.
• Recruit and supervise prospective adoptive homes.
• Assist in the planning and leadership of group education and preparation for prospective adoptive parents.
• Evaluate potential adoptive homes and complete written reports and home studies. 
• Provide post-adoption counseling services to adoptees, adoptive families and birthparents following placement.
• Provide post placement supervision including written reports.
• Provide pregnancy and Adoption related education and outreach to churches, schools, organizations, and communities. Actively promote the availability of pregnancy counseling services to pregnancy centers, OB/GYN clinic, hospitals, school, and clergy. 
• Design and deliver educational/therapeutic workshops, classes, groups, or programs to meet the needs of client groups or other professionals. 
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and to delegate them when appropriate.
• Ability to act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.
• Thorough knowledge of employment-related laws and regulations.
• Awareness and sensitivity of the organization's constituents and the populations served by employees. 
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.
• Knowledgeable about current Adoption laws in Nebraska and Iowa.
• Knowledge of infertility, parenting, adoption, and pregnancy related issues.
• Regular and predictable attendance, and promptness for work.
• Commitment to uphold the mission, vision, values of Lutheran Family Services.
• Support Lutheran Family Services in the organization's objective to be a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible workplace. 

Position Competencies:

• Verbal communication 
• Written Communication
• Critical Thinking 
• Organizational Skills
• Relationship Builder 

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Human Services, Social Work or related field required.
• Master's degree in Human Service field from accredited college strongly preferred. 
• Provisional licensure as a mental health practitioner in the state of Nebraska or eligible for PLMHP preferred.
• Minimum one year experience in services to children and families.
• Demonstrated understanding of and ability to work with people of diverse backgrounds.

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Hybrid work environment (in office and remote).
• Laptop and company issued cell phone.
• Travel in the identified service to meet with adoptive and birth families. 
• Position may require that the employee works occasional evenings/weekends as arranged with supervisor.
• Available to provide emergency services for clients as necessary. Includes "on-call" duty.

Lutheran Family Services is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of age, race, religion, color, ethnicity, disability, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin.