Current Job Postings
Skip to Caseworker – Foster Boarding Home, Caseworker – Preventive Services Program, Supervisor of Social Services, Director of Finance & Administration, Community Development Project Manager, ASP.NET Programmer/Analyst
Agency Statement
Forestdale is the largest foster care, adoption and family service agency in Queens with a distinguished 150-year history of serving and strengthening New York City’s children and families. Innovation and collaboration characterize the agency’s programs; it has dynamic new leadership including a stellar management team; and most important, it continues to forge groundbreaking, important new partnerships with urban institutions and community-based organizations. In December 2006, Forestdale was selected as one of only three recipients for the NYC Administration for Children’s Services Community Partnership Initiative, a new citywide paradigm in child welfare services delivery. In addition, Forestdale’s Fathering Initiative was one of the first New York City programs to reach out to non-custodial fathers, and our Preventive Services, Youth Development and newly created NYC-funded Reinvestment programs continue to expand our services to children and families in need.
Benefits
Excellent health, dental, life insurance and disability; also 403(b) and flexible spending programs; generous holiday/vacation/personal leave; pension after one year.
Quality of Life
Flex time/comp time possibilities.
Facilities
Exceptional grounds; very large tree-filled peaceful campus in the heart of historic Forest Hills; 5 brick buildings, including an auditorium and other recently renovated service spaces.
Driving
Easy commute on the Grand Central Parkway, the Van Wyck Expressway (I-678) and the Jackie Robinson (Interborough) Parkway; free parking on campus.
Subway
Walking distance to Forest Hills - 71st Avenue subway station (E, F, G, R & V trains).
Caseworker – Foster Boarding Home
Overview:
The MSW Caseworker is responsible for monitoring the safety and well-being of children placed in foster care, developing and implementing appropriate service plans to achieve discharge goals, and coordinating/delivering service to the child and family to achieve permanency.
Relationships:
- Reports to Casework Supervisor; no supervisees
- Works with all other units and members of the program, including the Medical and Clinical Department, Records, MIS, Quality Assurance, and Maintenance staff
- External Relationships: Administration for Children’s Services, Other Child Welfare Agencies and Service Providers, Family Court
Qualifications, Qualities and Abilities:
- Master’s degree in social work or a related subject from an accredited college or university.
- LMSW or LCSW required for all MSWs
- Good organizational, written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to accommodate a flexible work schedule
- Ability to travel in and around the metropolitan New York City region.
- Physical dexterity sufficient to quickly and easily gain access to a variety of buildings and rooms.
- Ability to maintain composure and function well under stress.
- Ability to read, analyze and interpret policies and procedures related to the job.
- Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
- Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations.
- Ability to speak and read another language a plus.
- A clean New York state driver’s license.
- Basic computer skills and word processing.
- Ability to work on various software applications.
- Ability to use e-mail and upload and download files.
Responsibilities:
- Provide services to families and children based upon a Family-to-Family approach.
- Interview children, birth families, foster parents and related persons to determine safety and well-being, and adjustment to placement.
- Conduct/attend service plan reviews for all assigned cases
- Attend meetings and conferences with service providers and other related agencies and organizations involved with the child and family.
- Maintain contact with schools regarding child’s educational functioning.
- Provide crisis intervention to birth and foster families and children.
- Represent the agency at court hearings related to the child and family permanency planning.
- Document all activities and attempted activities related to planning and service provision for children and families via the New York State electronic recording system known as CONNECTIONS.
- Maintain and manage all paper work requirements as they relate to specific children and families, including but not limited to preparation of psychosocial histories, adoption referrals, diligent searches, Interstate Compact packages etc.
- Participate in unit meetings, in-service training and other activities designed to enhance job performance.
- Assist in emergency situations as needed.
- Other duties as required by the supervisor or needs of the program/agency.
NOTE: This job description is subject to modification by management at any time and at its sole discretion.
Salary: competitive; dependent on experience; minimum: MSW $42,000.
Cover letter and resume to hr@forestdaleinc.org . Make sure the subject line of your E-mail states “Caseworker”.
Caseworker – Preventive Services Program
Preventive Caseworkers work with families who are experiencing circumstances that threaten the safety and well-being of their children, in order to help prevent separation of children from their families. Preventive Caseworkers help strengthen families to promote healthy growth and development within the family.
Responsibilities include:
- Visiting families in their homes and at the agency on a bi-monthly basis.
- Providing individual, family, and group counseling.
- Documenting all case activity with families and community providers using the N.Y.S. Connections system and N.Y.C. PROMIS system.
- Assisting clients with housing and daycare issues.
- Advocate for clients in their securing services such as public assistance, health insurance, and help with immigration issues.
- Coordinating and maintaining contact with workers at the Administration for Children’s Services.
- Maintaining contact with schools, mental health facilities, and other service providers.
- Participating in staff meetings, in-service trainings, and outside trainings for professional development.
Qualifications:
- Masters or Bachelors Degree in Social Work or a related subject from an accredited college or university.
- At least two years of experience in counseling and advocacy services, which may include field placement experience.
- Strong organizational, written, and verbal communication skills.
- Strong ability to work with Internet and MS Word a must.
- Ability to accommodate a flexible work schedule.
- Ability to speak and read another language is a plus.
Note: This job description is subject to modification by management at any time and at its sole discretion.
Salary: competitive; dependent on experience; minimum: MSW $42,000.
Cover letter and resume to hr@forestdaleinc.org. Make sure the subject line of your E-mail states “Caseworker”.
Supervisor of Social Services
Overview:
- Responsible for assisting the Director of Foster Care and Adoption in supervising the agency’s long-term undercare divisions
- Reports to the Director of Foster Care and Adoption
Qualifications, Qualities and Abilities:
- Master’s degree in social work from an accredited college or university
- Certification by the State Education Department of the State of New York or related degree
- Minimum of five years of post master’s experience in the field of child welfare, with three years of experience in foster care and adoption, including supervisory experience
- Organizational, verbal and written communication skills
- Concern and commitment to children and families
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Ability to cope with and manage anxious and emotionally distressed individuals
- Ability to maintain composure and a positive outlook, and to function well under stress
- Readiness to accommodate a flexible work schedule, to be available for emergencies and by beeper
- Ability to attend on the job sufficient to provide continuity in the lives of children and their families
- Computer knowledge or willingness to learn computer functions
- Ability to read and understand a variety of media
- A clean New York State driver’s license
Agency Interaction:
- The Supervisor will interact with all members of the Social Services staff as well as other departments of the agency including Medical/Clinical, Quality Improvement, Office Management and Administration.
Duties include but are not limited to:
- Direct supervision of agency undercare unit
- Monitor and oversee day to day functions of the unit under direct supervision
- Orientation and training of newly hired or newly assigned staff to undercare divisions under direct supervision
- Participate in the Service Plan Review process
- Participate in and contribute to Social Service staff training
- Assist in emergency situations as needed
- Provide emergency and/or back-up beeper coverage on evenings and weekends as assigned
- Other duties as required by supervisor
NOTE: This job description is subject to modification by management at any time and at its sole discretion.
Salary: competitive; dependent on experience; minimum: MSW Supervisor $48,000.
Resume and cover letter by E-mail to hr@forestdaleinc.org; include the job title "Supervisor of Social Services" in the subject of your E-mail.
Director of Finance & Administration
Forestdale is seeking an energetic administrator to be Director of Finance & Administration (DFA), reporting directly to the Executive Director. The DFA will provide direct oversight and coordinate the activities of all administrative departments and personnel of this $9M not-for-profit foster case and family services agency. With respect to Finance, the DFA will have full responsibility for the preparation of budgets, monthly financials, and data required for annual and occasional audits, as well as supervision and oversight for the management of the day-to-day financial functioning of the agency, including client programs, payroll, accounting, and benefits administration. With respect to Administration, the DFA will have full responsibility to supervise and manage all personnel involved with human resources, information technology and physical plant/office management.
The qualified candidate will have an advanced degree in Business or Public Administration and the ability to work with a diverse team of staff in a fast-paced environment.
Salary & Compensation: $100,000, based on experience. Excellent benefits.
Cover letter and resume to hr@forestdaleinc.org; include the job title “Director of Finance and Administration” in the subject of your E-mail.
Community Development Project Manager
The Community Development Project Manager reports directly to the Assistant Executive Director for Community Development and will have comprehensive responsibilities for managing a partnership (the “Collaborative’) of neighborhood-based social service providers in Queens. Organizing meetings and special events and identifying resources to serve disadvantaged children and families in the child welfare system are the primary focus of daily activities. Advocacy and research in social service delivery are on-going responsibilities.
Coordinating/Administrative Functions:
- Organize, schedule and plan meetings
- Maintain project files and keep detailed records of the Collaborative’s activities
- Link community projects
- Communicate the Collaborative’s recommendations to the community and government
- Coordinate, with assistance from the Leadership Team, the writing of required progress reports
Strategic Planning Functions:
- Develop planning tools and coordinate planning approaches and activities
- Assist with the formulation of policies and programs
- Assist the Collaborative in developing annual strategic plans and in identifying specific and achievable objectives
- Track the progress of the Collaborative’s plans and programs
Data/Research Functions:
- Monitor and update the community profile
- Arrange regular focus group meetings and assess community needs
- Work with others to update and ensure the integrity of the data and data sources
Educational Requirement:
- Master’s degree in Social Work, Urban Planning, Public Administration or Community Organizing preferred; minimum Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
Additional Qualifications:
- Superior writing and editing skills
- Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively with agency personnel
- At least three years of related experience
- Knowledge of and experience with web, interactive and on-line communications systems
- Skill in the development and implementation of public information and social marketing campaigns
- Willingness to be flexible
- Experience with grass roots organizing
- Experience engaging partner organizations to meet performance targets and deadlines
- Familiarity with demand-driven workforce development strategies
- Experience in project management
- Ability to organize and drive projects to timely completion
- Outstanding analytic and problem-solving abilities
- Willingness to tackle difficult and complex problems
- Strong work ethic and attention to detail
- Experience with research or program evaluation
Salary: $45,000+, dependent on experience.
Resume and cover letter by E-mail to hr@forestdaleinc.org; include the job title “Community Development Project Manager” in the subject of your E-mail.