Amara works to ensure that every child in foster care has the love, support, and comfort of a committed family – as quickly as possible, and for as long as each child needs. We work with foster and adoptive families across the Puget Sound Region who are committed to caring for children, whether for a day, a month, a year, or a lifetime.

We are seeking a new Foster Care Specialist to become an integral and valued part of our Home Study and Licensing team working to achieve Amara’s vision. We have two offices, one in Tacoma and one in Seattle. While we work to ensure that families are served by their closest office both offices serve families from Lewis to Whatcom counties, including the peninsula and Kitsap county.

Amara believes that a diverse workforce and inclusive workplace culture enhances our ability to fulfill our mission. We strive for equity and justice in the way people are treated and the opportunities they have to succeed by working to address racism, prejudice, unequal treatment and other barriers to inclusion. We strongly encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds (including communities of color, the LGBTQ+ community, veterans, and people with disabilities) to apply and join us in our work.

This individual will be responsible for providing a wide range of services (including assessment, licensing, and case management) on behalf of children in need of permanency. The majority of this work is family assessment and licensing with some direct work with families and children, including:

• Foster family preparation, licensing, and home study assessment done through a combination of remote and in-person work in the Puget Sound region
• Ensuring that the physical, emotional, and social needs of foster children placed in Amara foster homes will be met
• Liaising with DCYF professionals in the Licensing Division 
• Participating in the facilitation of family trainings and/or support groups
• Meeting requirements for timely, accurate, and thorough documentation for case files
• Attending and participating in staff meetings and trainings as required
• Flexing hours to accommodate family needs on an occasional and ongoing basis (ask that staff provide at minimum one evening a week for later appointments)

• Bachelor’s degree and two years of paid social service experience – or – a master’s degree and one year of paid social service experience. A practicum may be considered as a substitute for one year of paid experience. Degree(s) must be in social services, human services, behavioral science, or an allied field.
• Knowledge of child development and family systems
• Outstanding written and oral communication skills; experience writing home studies and/or family assessments is required. Knowledge of the SAFE (Structured Assessment Family Evaluation) home study model is a plus
• Ability to demonstrate initiative, discretion, maturity, flexibility and independent judgment
• Ability to work with all groups across age, religion, race, culture, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, and gender identity
• Highly organized and detail-oriented
• Ability to work in tandem with an outstanding professional team
• A valid Washington State driver’s license, reliable vehicle, and proof of auto insurance
• Must provide proof of Tdap vaccination, and be able to obtain a negative TB test
• Must have, or be able to obtain, current CPR/First Aid Certification and BBP within past 5 years
• Must be at least 21 years of age
• Ability to assess and communicate in languages other than English is a plus

Criminal Background Check 

Because this position has access to confidential client, employee, or financial information OR direct interaction with children any final candidate hired into this position must successfully pass a criminal background check performed by the State of Washington. Any job offer is contingent on successfully passing this background check. A list of disqualifying convictions for this position is available at https://www.dcyf.wa.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/secretaryslist.pdf  

Salary and Benefits

$50,000 to $52,890, DOE. Generous personal leave and benefits package, including paid time off, paid sabbatical, health, vision and dental insurance, 401k with a company match, life and disability insurance.

To Apply

To express your interest in this position, please send a one-page cover letter indicating why this position is the right opportunity for you, your resume, and a professional writing sample of 1-5 pages.  Resumes submitted without a cover letter and writing sample will not be considered.

No phone calls, please. Applications will be reviewed until the position is filled.

Amara is an Equal Opportunity Employer