LOCATION: Ozone Park, NY
REPORTS TO: Casework Supervisor
DEPARTMENT: Enhanced Family Foster Care
SCHEDULE: Full Time / Hybrid
$1,000 Hiring Incentive
AGENCY BACKGROUND:MercyFirst is a not-for-profit human and social service agency that has been serving children and families in need since we were founded by the Sisters of Mercy/Hermanas de las Misericordia in 1894.
Today our agency continues to address the emotional and physical needs of children and families in Brooklyn, Queens and across Long Island through innovative treatments and life-changing interventions. We provide community-based prevention and family foster care services, group homes in the community for struggling children and families within the child welfare and juvenile justice systems, and short-term residential services for unaccompanied migrant children.
Each year, MercyFirst serves more than 3,000 children, teenagers and families overcome enormous obstacles, re-imagine their futures and develop their full potential.
PROGRAM BACKGROUND:
To meet the needs of New York City’s ever-changing foster care population, Enhanced Family Foster Care (EFFC) combines and replaces the previous separately contracted Family Foster Care (FFC) and Treatment Family Foster Care (TFFC) programs.
EFFC recognizes that all children in care have experienced some level of trauma, that their needs may change over time, and that their strengths must be supported so they can reach their full potential.
POSITION
SUMMARY:
Provide direct assistance to casework staff in the delivery of services to foster parents, birth parents, and foster children including field visits, child supervision within the office. Perform general office support work.
REQUIRED
QUALIFICATIONS:
- High School diploma or Associates Degree
- Minimum of 6 months of office and/or casework assistant/aide experience.
- Type a minimum of 35 wpm
- Excellent communication skills (verbal and written)
- Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Outlook, some knowledge of Excel
- Ability to file documentation accurately
- Ability to track case information through paper records and data entry
- Ability to engage with clients
- Understanding and willingness to commit to the agency’s Mission, core values, Sanctuary Commitments and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB).
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Conduct home visits in accordance with mandates
- Assessments (initial home, parent/caretaker, child, familial interactions, Intimate Partner Violence, Mental Health, Trauma and Genogram
- Document all contacts in appropriate computer systems within established timeframes
- Respond to emergencies as needed and/or directed
- Answering and directing phone calls;
- Respond to Client requests for information.
- Data Entry into multiple computer systems.
- Maintain tracking systems of reports coming due and completed.
- Mail distribution/processing.
- Understanding and willingness to commit to the agency’s Mission, core values, Sanctuary Commitments and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB).
BENEFITS/PERKS:
• A comprehensive health insurance package including medical, dental and vision plans for you and your family
- 403B retirement benefits
- Employer-paid life insurance and long-term disability insurance
- Generous paid time off (vacation, personal, sick, 12 paid holidays)
- Free employee assistance program through National EAP
- Insurance discounts for our staff and their families
- Trainings to support professional and personal development
- Employee wellness program
- Employee recognition activities
Salary Range:
$36,000-$40,000 per year
Hiring Incentive - $1,000 after 500 worked hours
MercyFirst is an inclusive, anti-racist, multicultural organization and an Equal Opportunity Employer who welcomes prospective employees from diverse backgrounds for all levels at the agency. We strive for a workforce that is reflective of the communities we serve, and do not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, religion or creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, disability, age (18 and over), military status, prior record of arrest or conviction, marital status, partnership status, care giver status, pregnancy, genetic information or predisposition or genetic characteristic, unemployment status, status as a victim or witness of domestic violence, sex offenses or stalking, consumer credit history, or any other status protected by federal, state, and/or city law. This includes, but is not limited to, employment actions against and treatment of employees and applicants for employment.
