This is an entry level trainee position. Trainee will be under the direct supervision of the Muckleshoot Child and Family Services Director. The primary duties will be learning the Protective Advocate Liaison (PAL), Investigator, Prevention Specialist, Foster Licensing, Placement, Data & Records Management, MCFS Transporter/Visitation Specialist and Administration roles within MCFS.

1. Observe, learn and gain hands-on experience as a Prevention Specialist, Foster Licensing, Placement, and Administration roles within MCFS
2. Comply with training requirements as established by MCFS management.
3. PAL training:
   • Provide family focused, solution-based risk assessments of families and conduct home studies.
   • Determine the need for intervention and provide appropriate support and/or action to assist families in maintaining children in the home or, if child is placed out of the home; support for swift and sustainable reunification.
   • Facilitate family meeting’s to offer support and encouragement to families in order to maintain children in the home; or, advocate for voluntary placement and preventative services; and, coordinate resources for reunification.
   • Initiate alternative out-of-home placements, such as in the home of a relative or in foster care for children needing care.
   • Initiate court intervention in Muckleshoot Tribal court, prepare court reports and other required court documents.  Provide testimony in Tribal court and other courts, as appropriate, in regards to cases involving Muckleshoot youth.   
   • Complete individual service plans and group care packets, as needed.
   • Write and review progress reports and status change reports.  Document all contact and services.
   • Monitor visits between children and their families when appropriate.  Ensure monthly contact with placement families and individually with the children.
   • Diligently pursues active efforts with parents to ensure rapid and viable reunification.
   • Maintain contact with collateral agencies, families, relatives, foster parents, schools, service providers (internal/external) and other Indian Child Welfare Program staff to coordinate services and advocate for available resources to clients.
   • Meet with youth to assess needs and determine goals for care, monitoring progress and growth.
   • Assist with Child Protective investigations and monitor interviews with children, parents, relatives, other Tribal members or professionals.
   • Determine jurisdiction of child in question to ensure appropriate services.
   • Maintains case records and required forms, including service episode records, case plans, risk assessments and /or safety plans and ensures other documentation is obtained and filed appropriately.
   • Transport clients when necessary.
   • Attend mandatory and/or approved training.
4. Prevention Specialist  training:   
   • Conduct face to face interviews with investigator, children, parents, caregivers, alleged perpetrators and/or all other official mandated reporters and perform child/family welfare checks in response to incoming calls of concern to the Muckleshoot Tribe and/or CPS in regards to Muckleshoot children.
   • Collect and evaluate relevant information to make decisions related to investigation, services and outcomes. Identify situations presenting risk to Muckleshoot children and families and refer for immediate tribal services. When appropriate make referrals, encourage, support and engage parents, children, or care givers in services to prevent removal of children from the home.
   • Contact other agencies including, but not limited to, tribal, local, state or federal law enforcement and tribal or state courts as appropriate if a crisis situation arises or if the investigation involves criminal activity.
   • Record and document all preventative activity and provide follow-up visits and/or forward information to program manager for Family PAL assignment when necessary.
   • Maintain case records and required forms, including service episode records, case plans, risk assessments and/or safety plans and ensures any required documentation is obtained and filed appropriately.
   • Transport clients when necessary.
   • Attend mandatory and/or approved training.
   • Work collaboratively with investigators.
   • Working with Tribal youth to build critical awareness around the issues of substance use and related consequences.
   • Planning, coordinating, and implementing delivery of training of adults to support family engagement.
   • Developing and implementing tribal wide strategies that promote family and child empowerment.
   • Working collaboratively with other family and child empowerment prevention specialists across the state to leverage resources.
5. Investigator training:   
   • Conduct face to face interviews with children, parents, caregivers, alleged perpetrators and/or all other official mandated reporters and perform child/family welfare checks in response to incoming calls of concern to the Muckleshoot Tribe and/or CPS in regards to Muckleshoot children. 
   • Interview collateral contacts to gather additional information related to the investigation as needed and appropriate.
   • Make investigative jurisdictional decisions using the Muckleshoot Child and Family Youth Code or forward investigative information to the local CPS if no tribal jurisdiction is founded. 
   • Collect and evaluate relevant information to make decisions related to investigation, services and outcomes. Identify situations presenting risk to Muckleshoot children and families and refer for immediate tribal services. When appropriate make referrals, encourage, support and engage parents, children, or care givers in services to prevent removal of children from the home.
   • Contact other agencies including, but not limited to, tribal, local, state or federal law enforcement and tribal or state courts as appropriate if a crisis situation arises or if the investigation involves criminal activity.
   • Record and document all investigative activity and provide follow-up visits and/or forward information to program manager for Family PAL assignment when necessary.
   • Collaborate with other program department staff in regards to service referrals and preventative actions.
   • Prepare court declarations for emergency custody orders. Appear in Tribal Court or State court as needed, requested or subpoenaed.
   • Maintain case records and required forms, including service episode records, case plans, risk assessments and/or safety plans and ensures any required documentation is obtained and filed appropriately.
   • Transport clients when necessary.
6. MCFS Foster Home Licensor training:   
   • Recruit families to meet foster home needs sensitive to the needs of Muckleshoot children and other Native American children in “out-of-home” care via advertisements, referrals, personal contacts, and other community outreach efforts.
   • Assist potential foster parents in completion of the application and background checks. 
   • Conducts or coordinates pre-service and on-going foster parent trainings, first-aid, HIV/AIDS, and other relevant training or classes to ensure support in care and meet licensing requirements. 
   • Meet with prospective foster families in their homes to ensure preparedness and compliancy for foster care for one or more children.
   • When applicable, assist potential foster parents in preparation of any deficient, yet necessary, compliancy components.
   • Meet with other Tribal and State agencies to ensure compliance by keeping well-informed of any and all changes to policy in regards to foster home licensing and Title IV-E requirements.
   • Develop and maintain a license compliance tracking system for both electronic and physical files of foster homes and the Tribes CPA License.
   • Respond to all DLR investigations involving licensed homes that house Muckleshoot children or that are licensed through the Muckleshoot Child Placing Agency (CPA) License.
   • Maintain the Foster Care program for Tribal Title-IVE compliance.
   • Maintain files and procedures manuals to the standards required to meet State and/or Tribal licensing requirements.  
7. MCFS Data & Records Management Specialist training:   
   • According to established policies and prescribed guidelines, control the proper maintenance, archiving, release, and destruction of vital records, exhibits and/or files to ensure compliance and safeguard confidentiality.
   • Create online complex user friendly documents/forms using current Microsoft office software.
   • Establish, maintain, verify, code, modify, track and/or retrieve information and compile data that may require information searches through files, contracts, policies, claims or computer files.
   • Ensure required information is in correct placement in physical files to maintain compliance with the programs contracts, licenses and federal, state and tribal reporting requirements.
   • Maintain organization of database, physical files, archived files and program specific records.
   • Create files to maintain and track inventory, orders, collect and distribute supplies and/or program equipment.
   • Create and maintain file tracking systems, create reports compliant to the departments reporting requirements.
   • Enter each program physical file in to the data systems database and Laserfiche© files accordingly.
   • Maintain strict confidentiality of all program records.
8. MCFS Transporter/Visitation Specialist training:  
   • Transport MCFS dependent children to supervised visitation between child and parent.
   • Supervise and document interaction between child and parent during visitation.
   • Ensure child’s safety during visitation.
   • May assist with transporting parents, caregivers or children to scheduled appointments.
   • Operate tribal and/or GSA vehicle.  Assists with placement of children’s car seats and ensures children’s safety by making certain all children are properly restrained as required by law.  Adheres to all state and federal laws regarding transporting children in moving vehicles. 
   • Never leaves children unattended.
   • Keep and maintain daily schedule log and communicates with MCFS staff of availability.
   • Allocate travel time appropriately and is prompt to appointments.
   • Familiar with local routes and service providers in King, Pierce and Thurston counties.
   • No use of alcohol, drugs, or any substance that could impair abilities before or while driving.  No tobacco use or vaping while driving.
9. MCFS Child Placement Coordinator training:
   • Coordinate with department Family PAL’s and other State and Indian Child Welfare (ICW) caseworkers to provide assistance, and support for the emergency out-of-home placement of Muckleshoot children.
   • Perform annual foster home health and safety visits ensuring compliance with licensing regulations and policies. Documents visits, noting any need or deficiencies and offer solutions for any concerns founded with in the health and safety visits.
   • Work directly with the licensor in the writing of foster care home studies and will assist the licensor in maintaining compliance of the homes that are licensed under the Muckleshoot Tribes’ Child Placing Agency (CPA) license.
   • Work with Muckleshoot Children and Family Services Family PALs to coordinate child placement by maintaining accurate and up to-date records of home placement availability. Assist Family PAL’s in the writing of dependency guardianship home studies as needed.
   • Strictly follow the Tribes placement preference as outlined in the Muckleshoot Child and Family Youth Code.
   • Assist licensor in the recruitment of foster homes and conduct pre-service trainings as a co-facilitator.
   • Provide on-going support to licensor and families to insure all licensed foster care homes continue to meet State and/or Tribal licensing standards as applicable.
10. Because of the Tribe’s commitment to community service and the well-being of its members, each employee may be expected to perform a wide range of office and field duties from time to time. Such duties may or may not be related to their regular responsibilities.

Required: Associate’s Degree in social services or a closely related field.

Preferred: Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Human Services, Psychology, Sociology, Criminal Justice or closely related field.

Special Requirement: Must pass MIT criminal background check and drug screen. Also, must complete a Washington State Department of Social and Health Services form to complete and pass a criminal background check clearance, which may include fingerprinting.

Must be willing to take the following classes within timeframe agreed upon during training: CPR-First Aid, HIV- AIDS Training/Certificate. De-escalation Training/Certificate

Skilled in: Crisis intervention; client advocacy; oral and written communication; managing a large caseload in an efficient and effective manner; working cooperatively with in a professional manner with others; organization and time-management; operating standard office equipment, including personal computer and software.

Knowledge of: Professional social casework principles, methodology and ethics; human psychosocial development within the context of the family, community and culture, with an understanding of the principles of child development; techniques for facilitating client motivation; health and social issues impacting client and community well-being; risk assessment and decision making; basic understanding of the intake process; current practices of child welfare and systems theory and social welfare policy; Native American history/culture.

Ability to: Serve as an expert representative in both court proceeding and multidisciplinary team service deliver; maintain confidentiality; sustain well-being in the field of duty due to the nature of the work; develop case plans, establish realistic and attainable goals and demonstrate success criteria; recognize and identify treatment for risk indicators and establish model approaches for problem-solving; establish and maintain working relationships with clients, staff, agencies, and the general public; write effective and comprehensive case histories and related reports.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to walk and climb stairs; use hands to operate, finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.