Home Study Writer Jobs in Austin, TX (NOW HIRING)

Overview

At Upbring, our team is united by a shared mission: to break the cycle of child abuse and advance the wellbeing of children, families and communities, empowering them to thrive. As servant-leaders, we lead by example, working passionately to create a brighter future for those we serve.  Every day, we strive to embody our core values:

• We are Warriors: Fierce, resilient, and courageous, we face challenges head-on with unwavering loyalty and passion.
• We are Servants: We dedicate ourselves to serving others, empowering those around us to thrive.
• We are Family: We work together as a supportive, caring community, creating a sense of belonging and strength.

Joining Upbring means becoming part of a family of passionate individuals who are fearless in their pursuit of lasting change. Together, we are making a difference, one life at a time.

Your Mission in Action

The Family Development Director oversees the preservice process and implements best practices in family development. The Family Development Director will supervise the Upbring Kinship Verification team and the Upbring Pre-Service Verification Team for the 35/45 Corridor offices including Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin, San Antonio and Houston. This role collaborates with the Recruitment team, preservice families, and the Assistant Director (AD) to ensure efficiency and alignment across departments. The Family Development Director is also responsible for cultivating community partnerships and fostering strong engagement with preservice families throughout the development process. 

Responsibilities

• Supervise the Upbring Kinship Verification Team, statewide. Reviewing, processing and developing Kinship homes statewide
• Supervise the Pre-Service Verification Team for the 35/45 Corridor including the Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin, San Antonio and Houston FIT offices. Assigning Regional Intake Specialist's (RIS) to each In Process family and working them through the verification process 
• Supervise the Maintain Child Placement Management Staff requirements to conduct home screenings, assessments and reports ensuring they meet DFPS Minimum Standards, Contracting, YFT Guidelines, and agency requirements 
• Maintain knowledge of Upbring Foster in Texas (FIT) requirements for prospective foster/adoptive families; communicate requirements to families as needed 
• Conduct intake reviews and assess prospective foster and adoptive families, responding to inquiries, evaluating applications, and coordinating referrals to appropriate program offices to support the family licensing process 
• Manage a caseload of prospective foster and adoptive families, providing guidance and ongoing communication throughout the pre-service and license 
• Coordinate with the FIT Training Department to review and implement training requirements for in-process families and provide support when needed 
• Follow-up with writers and other contractors when items have not been received ensuring timelines are being maintained and tracked for families who are in the home study process
• Travel within Texas for trainings, respite studies, home visits, recruitment and community events and other identified items or requests Assist staff with identifying and creating partnerships with other community agencies; establish and maintain relationships to aid in collaboration of recruitment and placement efforts 
• Coach and support staff to ensure they have the necessary tools and resources needed to optimize performance, ensure established program goals, and achieve operational excellence. 
• Communicate with direct reports in periodic one-on-one meetings 
• Organize and deliver regularly scheduled staff meetings to communicate present, on-going, and future updates of pertinent information, projects, and initiatives 
• Work closely with management team to interview, hire, and onboard new employees who are strong cultural fits for Upbring 
• Work in collaboration with leadership and the People and Culture Team to arrange training; when needed, coordinate and/or provide in-service training for staff development
• Regularly review employee performance, including goals and progress, to provide developmental feedback: use applicable agency development tools to facilitate growth and development in staff 
• Draft and issue the 90-day and annual evaluations, along with supporting documentation, as per established procedures; work in collaboration with staff to set goals during evaluation periods 

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in social work, counseling, psychology, social services, or closely related field 
• Child Placement Management Staff (CPMS) 
• Three (3) years' relevant experience in foster care, child welfare, or adoption (or six months' experience if a current Upbring employee) 
• Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to meet deadlines and prioritize competing tasks/projects 
• Strong people and interpersonal skills with the ability to interact and work with diverse groups of people 
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook 

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in social work, counseling, psychology, social services, or closely related field 
• Licensed Child Agency Administrator or eligible within 12 months of hire 
• Bilingual (Spanish) proficiency (required for certain areas based on populations serve) 

Travel

• This position may be required to travel up to 20%

Perks at Upbring 

• Competitive PTO & paid holidays
• Health, dental, vision insurance & more 
• 403(b) Plan
• Employee Assistance Program 
• Discounted Gym Memberships 

Physical Demands & Work Conditions

• This position requires sitting and looking and using a computer for long periods of time
• Position works in a child facility and has constant exposure to children
• Position requires frequent standing and walking
• Lift, push, pull, move up to 25 lbs.

The physical requirements for this position with or without reasonable accommodation are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this position successfully. While performing this position the employee with or without reasonable accommodation should have the ability to walk, stand, sit, kneel, speak, and hear with aid, see, read, reach with arms and hands, lift and/or move up to specified weight, and use equipment that is essential to performing the job, such as a computer, copier, fax machine, telephone, and automobile, if applicable. Specific vision requirements of this position may include color vision, seeing things close up, and the ability to adjust focus.

Upbring is an Equal Employment Opportunity/AA Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ancestry, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, pregnancy, marital status, national origin, genetic information, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Employment Type: FULL_TIME