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Adoption Worker Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Liquid Personnel

Adoption Social Worker

Durham, NC

Liquid Personnel is seeking an experienced Social Worker with adoption expertise to join its client's Adoption Team for an initial 6-month period. This team works closely with the Permanence Team and ...

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$11K

$43.1K

$52K

How much do adoption worker jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for adoption worker in the United States is $43,142.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $38,500.00 and $52,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an adoption worker?

Adoption Workers are professionals who help facilitate the legal and emotional process of placing children with adoptive families. They assess the needs of children and prospective parents, conduct home studies, provide counseling, and support families throughout the adoption process. Their role is to ensure the best interests of the child are met, guide families through legal requirements, and offer ongoing support after the adoption is finalized.

How does an adoption worker typically collaborate with other professionals during the adoption process?

Adoption Workers frequently work as part of a multidisciplinary team, coordinating with social workers, legal professionals, counselors, and healthcare providers to ensure the well-being of children and prospective adoptive families. They facilitate communication between parties, attend case conferences, and share updates to address each child's unique needs. This collaborative environment helps Adoption Workers provide comprehensive support, navigate complex regulations, and advocate effectively for the best interests of the child throughout the adoption journey.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an adoption worker, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Adoption Worker, you need a background in social work or a related field, often requiring a bachelor's or master's degree and state licensure. Familiarity with case management software, documentation systems, and knowledge of relevant child welfare laws is essential. Strong interpersonal skills, empathy, cultural sensitivity, and the ability to communicate effectively with families and children are crucial soft skills. These competencies are vital for ensuring the best outcomes for children, supporting adoptive families, and navigating complex legal and emotional adoption processes.

What does an adoption worker do?

An Adoption Worker helps coordinate the adoption process for aspiring adoptive parents. You are responsible for guiding clients through the various stages of the process, starting with screening the parents looking to adopt a child, explaining the required paperwork and regulations, and working with them to find a parent putting their child up for adoption. You coordinate with other stakeholders, including therapists and teachers, and document findings and ensure all relevant paperwork is current and submitted to the appropriate state authorities. Once a match has been confirmed, Adoption Workers provide support for the adoptive parents, giving frequent updates to waiting parents while the process moves forward, assisting with family support and education while the new child transitions into the home, and helping ensure the well-being of adopted children. Job duties typically include monthly home visits.

What is the difference between Adoption Worker vs Social Worker?

AspectAdoption WorkerSocial Worker
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Social Work (BSW or MSW), certification often preferredBachelor's or Master's in Social Work (BSW or MSW), licensure varies by state
Work EnvironmentChild welfare agencies, adoption centers, private agenciesHospitals, schools, government agencies, community organizations
Employer & Industry UsageSpecialized in adoption services within child welfareBroader scope including family, mental health, and community services

Adoption Workers focus specifically on facilitating and supporting adoption processes, working closely with birth families and adoptive parents. Social Workers have a broader role, addressing various social issues, including child welfare, mental health, and community support. While both roles require similar credentials, Adoption Workers specialize in adoption-related cases, whereas Social Workers handle a wider range of social services.

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What cities are hiring for Adoption Worker jobs? Cities with the most Adoption Worker job openings:
What states have the most Adoption Worker jobs? States with the most job openings for Adoption Worker jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Adoption Worker jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Adoption Worker jobs are:
What are popular job titles related to Adoption Worker jobs? For Adoption Worker jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Adoption Worker jobs near you
Infographic showing various Adoption Worker job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, 16% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $43,142 per year, or $20.7 per hour.

Adoption Worker

Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota

Saint Paul, MN • Hybrid

$45K/yr

Full-time

Posted 15 days ago

Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota rating

6.8

Company rating: 6.8 out of 10

Based on 21 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

55th of 239 rated social care providers

Job description

About Us

Children’s Home & LSS, LLC (doing business as “Children’s Home”; formerly Children’s Home Society and Lutheran Social Service) is a dynamic social service organization dedicated to serving children, youth, and families across Minnesota. With a long history of providing care and finding families for children, our Domestic Foster Care and Adoption program continues to grow and create lasting permanency for children waiting in Minnesota’s welfare system.

We value trustworthiness, diversity, and work-life balance. Our ALIVE Workplace culture is supportive, positive, and fun — offering careers that challenge, energize, and reward employees.

Why Join Us?

  • Supportive Team: Join a compassionate, mission-driven team that values collaboration and mutual support
  • Professional Growth: Build your expertise through onboarding, applied practice, and ongoing supervision
  • Supervision: Free weekly supervision is provided to all staff, with licensure-track hours available for social workers pursuing undergraduate or graduate licensure.
  • Work-Life Balance: Enjoy flexible scheduling that supports your well-being while meeting the needs of clients and team collaboration.
  • Hybrid Workplace: Benefit from a blend of remote and in-office work that supports collaboration and work-life harmony.
  • Diverse Caseloads: Engage with a variety of cases that challenge and grow your skills—from infant adoption to foster care and kinship placements.
  • Organizational Stability: Be part of a well-established nonprofit with a strong reputation and commitment to ethical practice.
  • Equity and Inclusion: Work in an environment that actively promotes equity, cultural humility, and inclusive practices.

Major Responsibilities

As an Adoption Worker, you will:

  • Assess Family Readiness: Write home studies, guide families through the foster care licensing process, and provide post-placement supervision and support.
  • Family Engagement: Build trusting relationships with families and youth, supporting them through every step of their permanency and placement journey.
  • Advocacy & Permanency Planning: Advocate for children’s best interests and help families navigate permanency options
  • Collaboration: Partner with county and tribal agencies, schools, and community resources to ensure comprehensive support.
  • Compliance & Documentation: Maintain accurate, timely documentation and uphold all regulatory and agency standards.
  • Placement Support: Provide ongoing support to families and children before, during, and after placement.
  • Team-Based Learning & Reflection: Engage in reflective supervision and peer learning to continuously improve practice and outcomes.
  • Cultural Humility & Inclusive Practice: Approach each family with respect for their unique identities, backgrounds, and experiences—ensuring culturally responsive care.

Qualifications

  • Education: Bachelor’s degree in social work or a related field required. Master’s degree in social work or a related field strongly encouraged to apply. 
  • Skills: Strong organizational skills, ability to multitask and manage cases, and proficiency in writing and documentation
  • Flexibility: Willingness to work some evenings and weekends to best support families and children.
  • Travel: Ability to travel to family homes throughout Minnesota; must have a valid driver’s license, insurance, reliable vehicle, and be insurable under agency policy.
  • Inclusivity: Ability to work with and advocate for all clients, regardless of race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or family type.

If you’re selected for an interview, please treat it as a formal, professional process. For virtual interviews, choose a quiet, distraction-free space and ensure no one else is present. Make sure you’re visible on camera, fully engaged, and prepared to respond to all questions. Please test your audio and video ahead of time and join the meeting on time to ensure things go smoothly. 

We look forward to getting to know you!

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About Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota, based in Saint Paul, MN, U.S., is one of the largest nonprofit organizations in the state, operating since 1865. The company is dedicated to serving the less privileged and marginalized sectors of society and works in the non-profit organization management industry, focusing on social services. The services they provide include counselling, financial services, housing, and disability services amongst others. They firmly uphold their mission of “Expressing the love of Christ for all people through service that inspires hope, changes lives, and builds community.” Their belief in the potential of every individual propels the organization to continue to work on improving people's lives.

Industry

Non-profits

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Saint Paul, MN, US

Year founded

1865

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