Amara is committed to positive long-term outcomes for children and families. We drive systemic change, promote healing, and advance racial and LGBTQIA+ equity by offering programs and services to families engaged with foster care and to adoptees and families, post-adoption.

At Amara, we believe that a supportive, equitable and inclusive workplace, where everyone feels valued, trusted, and nurtured, is key to shaping organizational culture and investing in underrepresented communities. Amara believes that a diverse workforce and inclusive workplace enhances our ability to fulfill our mission. We strongly invite candidates from diverse backgrounds, including communities of color, the LGBTQ+ community, veterans, and people with disabilities to apply.

We are seeking a new Foster Care Services Supervisor to become an integral and valued part of our Home Study team working to achieve Amara’s vision. This position can be based from either our Seattle or Tacoma office. The Home Study Team works with families from our whole service area which may include families from Lewis to Whatcom counties, but predominately includes families in King and Pierce counties.

The Foster Care Services Supervisor reports to the Associate Director of Programs - Foster Care and is an integral part of our Foster Care Program. This individual will be responsible for providing a wide range of services on behalf of children in need of permanency, including, but not limited to, the following:

Supervision of Foster Care Specialists (35-45%)

• Supervise a team of 2-4 Foster Care Specialists – Home Study writers
• Provide supervision and case consultation to other Foster Care team members as needed.
• Support and track case progression; guide clinical staffing throughout the SAFE home study process
• Monitor professional practices of direct reports, ensuring compliance with agency goals, values, policies, and procedures
• Assess strengths and needs of staff; support and facilitate ongoing professional development.
• Regularly facilitate one-on-one and group supervision to develop clinical knowledge and skills, promote self-awareness, encourage collaboration amongst team members, and ensure consistent communication between staff and leadership.
• Review, assess, and edit detailed pre-placement/home study reports for clarity and quality of psychosocial assessments including state and SAFE (Structured Assessment Family Evaluation) templates.
• Maintain strong ethical boundaries and ensure staff is adhering to their professional code of conduct.
• Conduct annual performance evaluations.

Oversight of the Home Study and Home Study Update Processes (10-20%)

• Assign home studies and home study updates to Foster Care Specialists – Home Study writers as their caseload allows.
• Communicate directly with families to set expectations as they are awaiting assignment.
• Oversee the process of families completing paperwork in preparation to be assigned to a Foster Care Specialist – Home Study Writer.
• Collaborate with Placement Supervisors and Associate Director of Programs – Foster Care, to transfer families from the Home Study team to the Placement team as needed

Direct Service (30-40%)

• Prepare, assess, and support prospective foster families through the home study and licensing processes.
• Prepare home study updates as needed in anticipation of adoption finalizations

Leadership Activities (10-20%)

• Engagement and partnership with Foster Care Leadership Team to ensure quality and consistency across the program.
• Facilitate family workshops, information meetings, support groups, and community events

Minimum Qualifications  

• A BSW or equivalent (social services, human services, behavioral science, or allied field) is the minimum requirement with an MSW or equivalent being preferred.
• Three years of direct service experience in child welfare or a closely allied field (which can include internship experience) is required.
• Experience writing pre-placement reports/home studies required.
• Knowledge of and completed training in the SAFE (Structured Assessment Family Evaluation) home study methodology a plus.
• Outstanding written and oral communication skills.
• Knowledge and understanding of the child welfare system is required.
  • Experience in the child welfare system (foster care and adoption) is highly preferred
• A valid Washington State driver’s license, proof of auto insurance, and use of own vehicle.

Preferred Skills  

• Two years of paid experience providing clinical supervision is highly preferred.
• Strong interpersonal skills, high level of professionalism and ability to work independently.
• Ability to flex hours to accommodate client and staff needs on an occasional basis.
• Strong familiarity with resources in King and Pierce Counties.
• Cross-cultural responsiveness relative to age, race, ethnicity, belief systems, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and economic circumstances.
• Broad use of clinical skills in writing, advocacy, communication, assessment, training, and supervision.
• Ability to confidently navigate complex conversations with staff and families.
• Ability to represent the clinical team professionally and knowledgeably within Amara, and represent Amara in our community

Salary and Benefits

This is a full-time, 40-hour per week position with a annual salary of $59,500 - $63,400, 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.

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.dshs.wa.gov/sites/default/files/FSA/bccu/documents/Secretary%27sCrimesListforALLPrograms.pdf.  

To Apply

To express your interest in this position, please submit your resume, a one-page cover letter indicating why this position is the right opportunity for you, and a writing sample of 3-5 pages that highlights your clinical and written communication skills in Smart Recruiters. Resumes submitted without a cover letter or writing sample will not be considered.

Vaccination Requirement:

Amara requires that all employees be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. This requirement is designed to prioritize the safety of the children and families we serve. Exemptions may be sought only for documented medical or religious accommodations.

Amara is an Equal Opportunity Employer