Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI) is a leading not-for-profit organization dedicated to healing, justice, and wholeness for individuals and communities. For over 150 years, LSSI has positively impacted the lives of children and families and continues to be a strong presence in Illinois, committed to making a difference.
Position: Family Findings Specialist (Full-Time)
LSSI is hiring a full-time Family Findings Specialist , Monday through Friday. The role involves outreach to potential families, research, investigation, and locating absentee parents/guardians, as well as identifying extended family or fictive kinship relationships. The specialist will support family caseworkers by facilitating resource expansion and serve as a team member within multidisciplinary teams to improve permanency outcomes for children in foster care.
Benefits and Perks:
Flexible pay options through Dayforce Wallet
Competitive salary: $46,000-$51,000/year
Opportunity for career advancement
Comprehensive benefits including healthcare, paid time off, holidays, sick leave, 403(b), Employee Assistance Program, and flexible hours
Paid training to support growth and success
Essential Functions:
Work within systems impacted by implicit bias, engaging in crucial conversations with team members
Provide technical assistance and resource development support to staff serving children with behavioral needs
Travel to various locations for meetings, assessments, and family home evaluations
Utilize a trauma-informed, family-centered, and equity-driven approach to assess needs
Engage youth, birth parents, foster families, and social connections to promote stability and permanency
Use creative and data-driven methods to locate family members and supports
Complete documentation and track data accurately
Use tools like ecomaps and genograms to identify support networks
Identify and engage family and fictive kin for lifelong connections
Assist in training foster and biological parents as assigned
Participate in recruitment efforts for foster families
Coordinate with external agencies and community providers to meet client needs
Perform additional related tasks as needed
Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in social work, human services, criminal justice, or related field; experience in investigation and person location preferred
Strong communication, organizational, and leadership skills
Ability to pass background checks
CWEL certification preferred but not required
Proficiency with SACWIS, Microsoft Office, internet search tools, and background checks
Valid Illinois driver’s license and auto insurance; reliable transportation
We are an equal opportunity employer, committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace.