Pregnancy and Parenting Counselor

Amara is currently seeking to hire one full-time counselor, preferably to begin in September, 2008. Amara offers unbiased pregnancy options counseling to individuals who are experiencing some doubt as to their ability to parent.  Some of these birth parents choose to parent their children; others choose to make an open adoption plan.  In either case, our counselors will work with the birth parents until some permanency is established for their child and until they have supports in place to meet the challenges inherent in the decisions they have made.

Position Responsibilities: 
• Provide intake, counseling, information, referral, and support to women requesting help with an unplanned pregnancy.
• Perform asset mapping to determine family and community resources available to the client, involve family in planning for the child’s future.
• Coordinate and facilitate family support conferences as appropriate.
• In cases where birth parents choose to make an adoption plan, help match children with appropriate homes by communicating to adoption staff the potential impact of the child’s biological and prenatal history; assist client to explore choices in the selection of an adoptive family; prepare clients for and match meetings and communication agreement meetings with potential adoptive families; and support the birth family throughout the adjustment process, providing post-adoption support and referral services as appropriate.
• Work cooperatively with community resources such as medical, financial, educational, housing, mental health, and child welfare in providing services to Amara clients, making referrals as appropriate.
• Gain familiarity with Washington and Indian Child Welfare (ICWA) laws regarding relinquishment of children for adoption; seeking consultation with agency staff and agency attorney as needed.
• Participate in periodic staff meetings; in facilitation of trainings for potential adoptive families; and in other duties shared among clinical staff.
• Perform outreach activities to establish partnerships with other professionals, to educate about our services, and to identify potential clients
• Ensure all necessary paperwork is completed, data collected, and that client files are up-to-date and complete.

Required:
• MSW or equivalent and 2+ years casework experience
• Understanding of family systems.
• Experience working with families of different ages, religions, races and cultures.
• Experience working with families or individuals in crisis
• Experience performing client intake assessments
• Commitment to carefully documenting case records, client and peripheral interactions, legal paperwork, and other service delivery information.
• Willingness and ability to work flexible hours as required throughout the tenure of the position
• Safe and working vehicle, Washington State Driver’s license, and auto insurance.

Salary and benefits: $37,800 to $42,000, depending on experience.  Generous personal leave and benefits package, including paid time off, health insurance, dental insurance, and life and disability insurance.

To Apply: Submit to the address below a chronological resume and a cover letter explaining what experience, skills, and personal characteristics qualify you for this position, and why the mission and work of Amara appeals to you.  

Carol Mikkelsen, Director of Programs
Amara 
3300 E Union St.
Seattle, WA 98122
carol@amaraparenting.org

Applications will be accepted until position is filled.

Adoption and Foster Care Specialist

We are currently seeking an Adoption and Foster Care Specialist to join our growing adoption program.  This individual may be responsible for providing a wide range of services on behalf of children in need of permanency, but the primary focus of this particular position will be on the family preparation and homestudy assessment phase of our work.  Other services will include child search and matching; transition and placement; post-placement monitoring; assistance with finalization and adoption support; and support and referrals.  All specialists must participate in facilitation of family trainings and support groups, and must be able to flex hours to accommodate family needs on an occasional basis.

Position requires: 
• MSW or equivalent
• A minimum of 2 years of full time social work experience
• Experience working with families of different ages, religions, races and cultures.
• Knowledge of child developmental levels and family systems;
• Basic understanding of foster care and adoption processes, the court systems, procedures relating to dependency, state foster care systems, and legal issues related to adoption;
• Commitment to carefully documenting case records, client and peripheral interactions, legal paperwork, and other service delivery information.
• A valid Washington state driver’s license and proof of auto insurance. 

Starting Salary:  $37,800

Benefits: Generous personal leave and benefits package, including vacation, sick leave, health and dental insurance, and life and disability insurance.

To Apply: Please submit a cover letter, resume and writing sample (electronically or via USPS) to the following individual.  Resumes received without cover letters will be discarded.
 
Carol Mikkelsen, Director of Programs
Amara
3300 E Union St
Seattle, WA  98122
carol@amaraparenting.org

Applications will be accepted until position is filled.