Foster Parent Home Finder (5792)

About the role

As a Foster Parent Home Finder you will play a vital role in our mission by finding and supporting families ready to open their homes and hearts to children in foster care. You’ll be part Home Finder, part guide, and part cheerleader—helping families navigate the process, celebrating their progress, and ensuring they feel supported every step of the way. This is an out‑in‑the‑community position, involving awareness‑raising, networking, event attendance, and creative recruitment efforts.

Responsibilities

• Community Engagement & Recruitment
  • Attend community events and network with local organizations, schools, businesses, and faith‑based groups to share the mission statewide.
  • Build trust quickly with prospective foster and adoptive families, inspiring them to take the next step.
  • Develop monthly recruitment plans that blend grassroots outreach, local advertising, and creative campaigns such as the “Go Purple for Kids in Care” initiative.
  • Partner with the communications team to use social media and other outreach tools to tell powerful stories and spark interest.
• Family Support & Certification
  • Guide families through the certification process with compassion and clarity.
  • Conduct home visits and safety assessments to ensure compliance with New York State standards while supporting families.
  • Facilitate pre‑service and ongoing training (e.g., NTDC foster parent certification, CPR/First Aid, and other programs).
  • Complete initial certification assessments and annual reassessments, prepare home studies, and handle emergency certifications for kinship resources.
  • Maintain ongoing relationships with foster parents after certification to ensure continued engagement.
• Behind‑the‑Scenes Impact
  • Keep accurate records and documentation in accordance with agency standards.
  • Operate multiple software systems to document and drive program/agency outcomes, maintaining all case records.
  • Track progress, identify growth opportunities, and contribute to a culture of continuous improvement.

Requirements

• High school diploma/GED required; Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree preferred in Child Welfare, Foster Care, Human Services, Marketing, Social Work, Communications, Public Health, or a sales‑oriented community‑engagement field.
• Lived experience as a foster parent, kinship caregiver, or respite parent is valued and encouraged.
• Flexible schedule (days, evenings, weekends, and occasional holidays) with up to 50% travel.
• Valid driver’s license, reliable vehicle, and ability to travel up to 50% of work time.
• Willingness to complete NTDC (National Training and Development Curriculum/GPSII) certification and CPR/First Aid trainer certification within six months.
• Ability to coordinate and plan travel efficiently for visits and appointments.
• Capability to work with economically and culturally diverse populations.

Skills

• Outgoing, approachable, and energized by connecting with people.
• Strong communication and presentation skills that inspire and build trust one‑on‑one and in groups.
• Creative thinker with a talent for finding new ways to engage the community.
• Organized and reliable; able to juggle events, visits, and paperwork while maintaining accuracy.
• Strong organizational and prioritization abilities, meeting strict reporting deadlines.
• Effective engagement, recruitment, and time‑management skills.

Schedule

Flexible schedule that may include days, evenings, weekends, and occasional holidays. Travel is required for up to 50% of work time, with the need to plan and coordinate visits and appointments efficiently.