COOK INLET TRIBAL COUNCIL, INC. 

Job Title:           Family Navigator-Compact Services

Department:      Family Wellness

Reports To:       Program Manager

Supervises:       None

FLSA Status:      Non-Exempt

Pay Grade:          N5

Job Type:            Regular, Full-Time

AKBCU:               Yes                ICPA: Yes

General Functions:

The Family Navigator-Compact Services works to reduce unnecessary placement, locate prospective relatives for children experiencing foster care placement, and expedite safe placement permanence of Alaska Native and American Indian children and youth. This position coordinates support and resource linkages for parents, children, and youth who have been through the OCS Team Decision Making meeting process while providing expedited access to needed supports, particularly recovery services, within CITC's service areas and Alaska Native systems of care. Working in partnership with our people, the Family Navigator-Compact Services develops opportunities that fulfill our endless potential by facilitating multi-disciplinary team meetings, conducting comprehensive relative searches, and supporting OCS case plan achievement through direct participant support and family engagement. The role requires expertise in child welfare systems, strong coordination abilities, and commitment to supporting family preservation and reunification while maintaining cultural sensitivity and trauma-informed practices.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assist parents to develop informal support networks of family members and supportive people to function in safety plan participation and licensed or unlicensed placements.
• Search, notify, and support relatives to request placement of children needing foster care by conducting exhaustive relative searches through multiple available sources.
• Provide information to relatives to determine interest and availability for placement through formal letters of notice and complete OCS procedures in ORCA for relative requests.
• Complete relative safety home assessments of identified relatives' homes as requested by OCS while ensuring thorough evaluation of placement options.
• Identify relatives and provide pertinent information to determine interest and availability for other types of contact or involvement with children in state foster care.
• Coordinate with internal and external service providers to meaningfully involve relatives of children in foster care while providing support for resource access.
• Coordinate access to services that promote change supporting safety and well-being of children while ensuring culturally appropriate interventions.
• Conduct initial intake, screening, and assessment surveys with parents who enroll in reunification support services to establish appropriate service plans.
• Collaborate with Reunification Support Peer Support Specialist to conduct outreach and engagement of parents pending enrollment in reunification support.
• Document activities for service provision and evaluation purposes while maintaining accurate records in CITC and state ORCA databases.
• Maintain operations by following established policies and procedures while participating in quality reviews and reporting needed changes.
• Maintain professional and technical knowledge by attending workshops, reviewing professional publications, and establishing professional networks.
• Comply with federal, state, and local legal requirements by studying existing and new legislation and enforcing adherence to requirements.
• Utilize technology platforms including Word, Excel, Outlook, SharePoint, management information systems, and survey tools such as Qualtrics.
• Perform all related duties as needed and assigned.

Job Specifications:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with demonstrated knowledge of child welfare systems and associated family serving systems.
• Excellent problem-solving skills with ability to make sound decisions and exercise good judgment in complex family situations.
• Ability to prioritize workload and adapt to changing priorities while coordinating multiple activities with limited supervision.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain attention to detail while managing high-stress situations and complex case dynamics effectively.
• Demonstrated proficiency with Word, Excel, Outlook, SharePoint, management information systems, and survey platforms such as Qualtrics.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate, lead, and work collaboratively within CITC and with OCS and other community partners effectively.
• Ability to maintain high degree of sensitivity regarding confidential information while complying with HIPAA requirements in CITC and state databases.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the social, health, educational, training, and cultural needs of the Alaska Native and American Indian community.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Continued employment is contingent upon completion of satisfactory state and federal fingerprint criminal background check.
• Bachelor's degree in Human Services, Social Work, or related field. Relevant experience may substitute for education requirement on a year-for-year basis.
• Two (2) years of work experience with proficiency and knowledge of the OCS system and other service systems accessed by participants.
• One (1) year of experience working with Alaska Native families with knowledge of their values and belief systems.
• Valid Alaska driver's license and insurable under CITC's automotive insurance, which requires a driver to be at least 21 years of age and have had a driver's license for at least three years.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in child welfare, family preservation, or compact services programs.
• Knowledge of ICWA (Indian Child Welfare Act) requirements and tribal child welfare practices.
• Experience working with Alaska Native and American Indian populations with deep knowledge of cultural values and belief systems.

Physical Requirements:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• May require prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and consistently working on a computer with repetitive motion.
• The need to occasionally move around the office to access filing cabinets, storage cabinets, and office equipment may be necessary.
• Must be able to lift up to 25 pounds occasionally by utilizing proper lifting techniques and working in a safe manner.

Minimum Core Competencies:

CITC Values, Respectful Leadership, Professionalism, Emotional Intelligence, Problem Solving/Critical Thinking, Communication Skills.

Disclaimer
The information provided in this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by incumbents within this job. It is not designed to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications and working conditions required of employees assigned to this job. Management has sole discretion to add or modify duties of the job and to designate other functions as essential at any time. This job description is not an employment agreement or contract.