LOCATION: Syosset, NY

REPORTS TO: Intake Manager

DEPARTMENT: Intake

SCHEDULE: Full-Time / Hybrid
 

AGENCY BACKGROUND:

MercyFirst is a not-for-profit human and social service agency that has been serving children and families in need since we were founded by the Sisters of Mercy/Hermanas de las Misericordia in 1894. Today our agency continues to address the emotional and physical needs of children and families in Brooklyn, Queens and across Long Island through innovative treatments and life-changing interventions. We provide community-based prevention and family foster care services, group homes in the community for struggling children and families within the child welfare and juvenile justice systems, and short-term residential services for unaccompanied migrant children. Each year, MercyFirst serves more than 3,000 children, teenagers and families overcome enormous obstacles, re-imagine their futures and develop their full potential. PROGRAM BACKGROUND:

The intake department has a key role in finding appropriate placements for children in need of out of home care. Intake department is responsible for screening referrals made to our foster care and residential care programs and admitting children into appropriate placement. Intake staff are the liaisons between MercyFirst and our oversight agencies, making referrals.
 

SUMMARY:

The Intake Specialist is responsible for the screening and placement of children in appropriate placements and ensuring vacancies are filled.
 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

· A Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or related field.

· 2+ years casework experience in the child welfare field or related field required.

· Knowledge and training in working with children/adolescent & families including child & adolescent development stages and family dynamics.
 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

· Review all referrals for placements from multiple sources

· Serve as the liaison with oversight agencies for referrals

· Promote our programs and strategize with internal and external stakeholders to increase utilization and best practices

· Collect & processes intake data and shares data with appropriate parties

· Maintain electronic referral logs

· Complete intake forms, orient child/family to the program & obtain consents.

· Arrange and complete pre-placement interviews as needed, in order to establish a waitlist for all programs.

· Conceptualize & organize ideas clearly, descriptively and concisely in verbal and written work

· Demonstrates competency in understanding the range of treatment required for children and adolescents

· Maintain documentation in computer systems within established timeframes

· Addresses after-hours requests for placement on a rotation
 

BENEFITS/PERKS:

· A comprehensive health insurance package including medical, dental and vision plans for you and your family

· 403B retirement benefits

· Employer-paid life insurance and long-term disability insurance

· Generous paid time off (vacation, personal, sick, 12 paid holidays)

· Free employee assistance program through National EAP

· Insurance discounts for our staff and their families

· Training to support professional and personal development

· Employee wellness program

· Employee recognition activities
 

Salary Range: $54,000-57,000 per year

MercyFirst is an inclusive, anti-racist, multicultural organization and an Equal Opportunity Employer who welcomes prospective employees from diverse backgrounds for all levels at the agency. We strive for a workforce that is reflective of the communities we serve, and do not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, religion or creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, disability, age (18 and over), military status, prior record of arrest or conviction, marital status, partnership status, care giver status, pregnancy, genetic information or predisposition or genetic characteristic, unemployment status, status as a victim or witness of domestic violence, sex offenses or stalking, consumer credit history, or any other status protected by federal, state, and/or city law. This includes, but is not limited to, employment actions against and treatment of employees and applicants for employment.