Adoption Support Specialist, Alaska Center for Resource Families

ADOPTION SUPPORT SPECIALIST, ALASKA CENTER FOR RESOURCE FAMILIES

The Alaska Center for Resource Families (ACRF) (www.acrf.org) in Anchorage, a program of Northwest Resource Associates, is looking for an Adoption Support Specialist to provide information, support, and guidance to families who are in the process of adopting from the foster care system or who have adopted or provide guardianship.

We’re looking for a skilled professional who can provide training and support to families through excellent communication and supportive listening skills. We’re an exceptional team of experts who care deeply and are dedicated to supporting each other and families. Join us!

ABOUT US

Northwest Resource Associates is a nonprofit child welfare agency. We envision every young person having family that nurtures their growth and potential. We work toward this vision by designing and delivering programs and technology that empower youth, strengthen families, and improve child welfare systems. More than four decades old, we are headquartered in Seattle, WA, and have offices in Alaska and Oregon as well.

You can find our program work at the following websites:

• AdoptUSKids (https://adoptuskids.org)
• Alaska Center for Resource Families (https://www.acrf.org/)
• Northwest Adoption Exchange (https://www.nwae.org/)
• Oregon Post-adoption Resource Center (https://www.orparc.org/)

Alaska Center for Resource Families provides a continuum of services to ensure that families can meet the needs of children and youth who are in foster care or who have been adopted. ACRF provides information, training, and support to "resource families”—prospective and current foster parents, adoptive parents, relative caregivers, and guardians. ACRF has offices in Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Wasilla.

Equity and inclusion are priorities across all programs at Northwest Resource Associates. We are passionate about inclusive and affirming policy and practice and are recognized by the Human Rights Campaign’s All Children, All Families program. We seek staff diversity in ability, age, ethnicity, gender identity and expression, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, and veteran status. In addition, we welcome applications from those with lived experience in foster care or with adoption. We are an equal opportunity employer.

WHO WE'RE LOOKING FOR

Our ideal candidate is an empathetic professional who can listen to families and take solutions-based approach to supporting them. You may be our ideal candidate if you:

• Bring a knowledge of adoption issues and have some experience in support, educating, or counseling families.
• Share our commitment to equity and believe in creating a workplace where everyone feels supported and valued.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide one-on-one support, training, and information to adoptive families, specifically in the Anchorage region.
• Assist and guide families who have placement of a child and are actively moving towards finalization of adoption.
• Participate in and collaborate on team-wide projects and opportunities.
• Teaching ‘Building Families’ through adoption curriculum and other adoption topic workshops.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Two years of working with families directly or other equivalent adoption support experience.
• Demonstrated skill in family support, counseling, and/or supportive listening.
• Familiarity with and knowledgeable about issues in foster care and/or adoption.
• Knowledge about trauma-informed caregiving and comfortable with parent coaching.
• Self-motivation and creativity in solving problems.
• Experience providing training in both online and one-on-one settings.
• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field or professional or personal experience with adoption, foster, or relative care.
• Experience working collaboratively and effectively with others remotely.
• Understanding of equity and inclusion principles and the importance of disrupting systemic racism and unconscious bias.
• Commitment to continuous learning and improvement.

LOCATION, SALARY AND BENEFITS, AND HOW TO APPLY

LOCATION

This position is located in our downtown Anchorage office and is primarily in-office with some flexibility for a remote work schedule.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

This is a full-time position with an anticipated starting salary of $56,000.

We offer flexible work schedules, 3.5 to 6 weeks of paid vacation per year, 15 to 16 paid, holidays per year, paid sick leave, a generous family leave policy, a retirement plan contribution, optional 403b plan, medical and dental insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, and long-term care insurance.

HOW TO APPLY

Submit a brief cover letter describing why you might be a fit for the position and your resume via our Airtable form at https://airtable.com/appH515sG1IvsmYAV/pag51XjlkfMy1EREp/form

We will accept applications until the position is filled.