Employment Opportunities

The Foster Care Specialist is responsible for the recruitment, training, licensing, and ongoing support of foster families within the Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma’s Indian Child Welfare (ICW) program. This position works closely with tribal families, children, and community partners to ensure safe, culturally appropriate, and supportive foster care placements in compliance with the Tribal Juvenile Codes and Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), tribal policies, and state regulations. The Specialist also works with the Foster Care Licensing Committee to review and make recommendations regarding licensing approvals, denials, and revocations.

• Recruit, screen, and license foster and kinship care providers in accordance with ICW and FCLC requirements
• Work closely with the ICW Director and Foster Care Licensing Committee on foster care licensing decisions, including new applications, renewals, denials, and revocations.
• Provide training, guidance, and support to foster families before, during and after placement.
• Conduct home studies, background check, and ongoing foster home monitoring.
• Develop and implement foster care retention activities to maintain a strong pool of active families.
• Coordinate with ICW staff to ensure placements meet the child’s safety, well-being, and cultural needs.
• Maintain accurate and confidential case files in compliance with tribal and federal requirements.
• Advocate for the best interests of AST children in all placement and case planning decisions.
• Participate in court hearings, case staffing, family team meetings, permanency planning and professional development.
• Maintain strict confidentiality and accurate case records in compliance with tribal policies and federal standards.
• Must provide transportation clients as needed.
• Testifying in court or hearings regarding actions, findings, procedures, and protocols.
• Provide crisis intervention and after-hours support to foster families as needed (i.e., nights, overnights, weekends and holidays).
• Travels out of local area for home visits, safety checks, assessments, court hearings and trainings as required.
• Assist with special events and projects as assigned.
• Must possess a history of excellent work attendance.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support the mission of the ICW programs.

• Associate’s Degree or equivalent combination of education and experience or minimum of five (5) years professional experience in tribal foster care, child welfare, social services, or related work involving families and children.
• Must possess knowledge of the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) and tribal sovereignty.
• Familiarity with the judicial systems of both state and tribal court proceedings, foster care processes, and ICWA guidelines.
• Strong knowledge of Native American culture, traditions, and family systems. (Preferably Absentee Shawnee culture)
• Must be proficient in basic computer applications (Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook).
• Excellent communication, organization, and problem-solving skills.

• Exposure to emotional and stressful situations.
• Primary office-based with frequent fieldwork visits to clients homes, hospitals, care facilities, schools, or courts.
• Sitting or standing or walking for long period of time; occasional bending, squatting, kneeling, stooping; good finger dexterity and feeling; frequent repetitive motions; talking hearing and visual acuity.
• Frequent lifting (up to 15 lbs) and occasional lifting (up to 50 lbs)

• Must adhere to Absentee Shawnee Tribe Personnel Policies and Drug and Alcohol Policies.
• Must be able to pass a drug test for pre-employment for the Tribe.
• Must be able to pass a State Criminal background check.
• Must posses a valid Oklahoma Drivers License.

EEO/Native American Preference/Drug Free Workplace