I.Primary Purpose

The Social Worker, Birth Parent Services responsibilities include working with birth parents in the options counseling, permanency planning and adoption process, individual counseling, writing psychosocial histories, visiting clients in hospitals and the community, discharging babies from the hospital, facilitating selection of and meetings with adoptive parents, assisting in placement and/or return of infants, and referral to community support services. Social Worker will conduct outreach, education, and training at hospitals and agencies that serve expectant parents. Work closely with the Program Director to implement department goals. This is an in-person position with an annual salary range of $67,000-$75,000 commensurate with experience.

Spence-Chapin is a non-profit organization based in New York City that has been providing adoption services and adoption support for more than 110 years. At Spence-Chapin, we believe that every child deserves a family, and we work tirelessly to advocate for children in need of a permanent, loving home. Over our history, Spence-Chapin has served more than 25,000 children, women, and families through our main program areas: Comprehensive Domestic and International Adoption Programs; Birth Parent Services; Well-being Services; and International Humanitarian Aid through programs like our Granny Program to support children living in orphanages overseas.

Our work is made possible by the dedicated individuals on our staff. At Spence-Chapin, we find joy in celebrating each other, our co-workers, and our clients. Everyone is treated with respect and dignity to strengthen the vibrancy of our community. We celebrate a culture of excellence, inclusivity, compassion, flexibility, and support. Spence-Chapin offers a competitive benefits package that includes full health benefits, generous PTO and holiday schedule, HRA & FSA plans, life insurance, retirement plan with employer contribution, paid maternity/paternity/ adoption leave, commuter benefits, and more. Being part of the Spence-Chapin team is being part of a legacy, which for more than 110 years has provided critical services to children, women, and families around the world.

II.Key Performance Indicators

• Provide options counseling to pregnant and postpartum women considering adoption for their newborns and young children
• Visit clients in the hospital and at home, as needed.
• Represent the agency at the hospital and discharge babies from hospitals to the agencys interim care program
• Determine the clients need for services and make referrals to resources outside of the agency
• Gather bio-psycho-social background information, formulate assessments, and write histories
• Write case notes in the client database and maintain up-to-date case records
• Educate clients on best practices in adoption. Guide clients in planning, including making hospital plans, matching with adoptive families, reviewing legal documents, and securing an optimal post surrender contact plan
• Provide therapeutic counseling to individuals and families
• Participate in placement and return of infants
• Provide short-term supportive counseling to clients who have placed a child
• Participate in answering birth parent inquiry calls to agencys, toll free birth parent telephone lines
• Actively participate in weekly supervision with the direct Supervisor
• Perform any other department or agency-related duties or special projects as directed by the supervisor
• Provide birth parent outreach, education, and training to professionals at local hospitals, clinics, and social services

III. Education & Experience

• MSW from an accredited school of social work
• A minimum of two years of MSW experience
• NYS license to practice social work
• Must have a valid drivers license and a clean driving record
• Experience in adoption and/or pregnancy counselling preferred; must have at least one year of counselling
• Spanish speaking a plus
• IV.Technical Skills
• MS Office Proficiency in Word, Excel, and Outlook
• Knowledge of completing case notes in a database environment

V.Key Competencies

• Strong organizational skills and ability to meet tight deadlines
• Ability to multitask; strong execution skills; thorough follow-through, and attention to detail Excellent oral and written communication and presentation skills
• Ability to work in a collaborative environment with various departments, which supports both individual and cooperative work
• Ability to work independently at satellite office locations