Options Counselor ​(To Expectant & Birth Parents)

Position: Options Counselor
Reports To: Infant Adoption Program Manager
Posted Salary Range: $45,000 - $51,000 (dependent on qualifications and experience)
Hours: Full-Time
Retention Bonus: Up to 2 $500 retention bonuses for a possible total of $1,000. The first upon the successful completion of 90 days, and the second upon the successful completion of 120 days of employment as determined by the Program Manager and Executive Director.
Benefits: Health/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance, Competitive Paid Time Off, 401(k) Plan with Company Match, Catastrophic Leave, Parental Leave, LCSW Clinical Hours Supervision Program, Telecommuting Program, and more 
To Apply: Submit cover letter and resume to Erin Groce (HR Director) via the form below
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Mission & Culture:     
Adoption Options is an inclusive, non-profit adoption agency dedicated to enriching the lives of children, youth and families. We provide education, placement services, counseling and support for all members of the adoption community. The staff and Board of Directors at Adoption Options is actively working as a team to uphold the company’s stated values of Integrity, Compassion, Respect, Inclusion, Education, and Professionalism in all aspects of the organization.

​Position Summary
Reporting to the Infant Adoption Program Manager, this full-time position provides a variety of advanced administrative functions that support Adoption Options child placement services. The Options Counselor is accountable for critical aspects of the adoption process including but not limited to; providing all-options counseling (including adoption, parenting, termination, etc.) and support to expectant/birth parents during the decision-making process, conducting formal presentations with prospective adoptive families, providing post-relinquishment support, preparation and completion of all legally required documentation, and engaging in outreach activities regarding Adoption Options available services. In addition, the Options Counselor must maintain up-to-date situational awareness of all active cases, internal/external processes, potential community partners, and the coordination of all position related events.
 
Essential Functions/Responsibilities

• Provide decision-making options counseling to expectant/birth parent(s) considering a plan of adoption
• Present detailed information, conclusions, and recommendations regarding both expectant parents at expectant/birth parent staffings
• Work with diverse and sometimes challenging populations and assess safety concerns of birth parents
• Follow established processes and protocols per Adoption Options policy and procedures manual
• Liaise between the cradle care provider, expectant/birth parents, and agency as needed
• Provide pre- and post-placement counseling and support as necessary
• Attend court proceedings with birth parents during relinquishment and termination of parental rights
• Submit court reports as directed and attend court hearings as necessary
• Refer to Social Services when it is anticipated/believed that a child may be at risk of physical, sexual, or emotional abuse or neglect as mandated by state regulations
• Refer expectant/ birth parents to available community resources as deemed appropriate
• Maintain up-to-date and thorough client files both through the case management system and the hard file as required by state regulations including audit and licensing requirements
• Prepare child summary and letter to the child upon closing the file
• Close files no later than 90 days after relinquishment and/or termination of parental rights
• In conjunction with the IAP team, establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with community leaders, hospitals, schools, libraries, congregations, and businesses
• Work independently and within a team on special and nonrecurring projects as assigned by the Senior Director of Program or Infant Adoption Program Manager. These activities may require working with agency clients, assisting co-workers, planning, scheduling, and communicating progress both verbally and in writing.
• Attend staff meetings, expectant/birth parent staffings, options counseling training and agency retreats as scheduled
• Must be able to perform “on-call” services as required
• Must be prepared to take intakes and answer questions of prospective clients

Position Requirements
The position requirements listed below are representative of the qualifications, knowledge, skills, and/or ability required.

• BA, BS, or BSW in the social or behavioral sciences, (preferably a Master’s degree in one of these fields) and a minimum of two years of human services experience
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) is preferred
• Must possess exceptional interpersonal, presentation, time management and organizational skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills are required
• An analytical ability is required in order to gather and summarize data for reports and find solutions to a variety of client and agency related situations
• Consistently demonstrate an ability to respond to changing situations in a flexible manner in order to meet the current needs of the agency, such as reprioritizing work as necessary
• Demonstrate a proactive approach to responsibilities
• Display a willingness to make decisions; exhibit sound and accurate judgment, support and explain rationale for decisions, include appropriate individuals in the decision-making process and make decisions in a timely fashion
• Meet the attendance requirements of the job, including weekends and evenings as directed
• Must have access to reliable transportation and possess a valid unrestricted drivers license. Must have proof of 100/300/100 current car insurance on any vehicles driven for the agency, as frequent local travel will be required and overnight travel is possible.
• Work within approved budgets as established by the Executive Director

Physical Requirements
The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Speaking and hearing ability sufficient to communicate effectively by phone or in person at normal volumes
• Intermittent physical activity including bending, reaching and prolonged periods of sitting
• Routinely lifting and/or moving up to 20 pounds
• Required to work extended periods of time at a video display terminal with ongoing keyboard data entry
• Ability to safely and efficiently operate a motor vehicle
• Vision adequate to read correspondence, computer screen, forms, etc.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. This is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and physical demands. Adoption Options management reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet business and agency needs as necessary.

To provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals, employment decisions at Adoption Options will be based on merit, qualifications, and abilities. Adoption Options does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetics, gender identity or expression, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Adoption Options will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities unless doing so would result in an undue hardship. This policy governs all aspects of employment, including selection, job assignment, compensation, discipline, termination, and access to benefits and training.

Adoption Options is recognized leader in supporting and serving LGBT families through the Human Rights Campaign Foundation's - All Children All Families.

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