Careers with Choice Adoptions

BIRTH PARENT ADVOCATE

Supervisor: Reports to Executive Director
Description: The Birthparent Advocate is a caring, non-judgmental source of support to clients who are making decisions about their pregnancies, children and future. The advocate is also a representative to medical professionals and other organizations working with pregnant and parenting clients.

Duties:
• Support, advocate and empower women who are making pregnancy decisions.​

• Walk alongside women throughout their pregnancy and ensure they are supported and have the information they need to make informed decisions.

•Respond within a designated time period to all crisis pregnancy telephone, text or email intakes and provide assessment of client's needs and/or requests.
• Meet with clients and provide them with program information.
• With input from the program director, assist clients in obtaining services for needs, such as housing, financial assistance, medical insurance, etc.
• Submit completed intake forms to the office within one week of initial client visits.
• Assist clients in identifying and exploring options for the expected child in a non-judgmental manner, providing a positive atmosphere for making her/his best plan for the expected child.
• Refer clients to appropriate services if the clients choose to parent.
• Support clients in the adoption planning and family selection processes.
• Attend initial match meetings between birth parents and prospective adoptive families.
• Assist in adoption planning and the legal release of children.
• Assist hospital staff and birth families in carrying out the hospital plan at the time of birth. Out-of-town travel and 24-hour availability is often required during the birth and placement of a child.
• Provide follow-up advocacy and support to birth parents as needed.
• Submit case notes and related documents in a timely manner.
• Set up and maintain client files and data base.
• Prepare and update training materials.
• Assist with adoptive family training seminars and conferences.

 

THIS POSITION CARRIES A CELL PHONE 24/7.  The phone is primarily used to communicate with clients (during business hours, but our advocates need to be available for last minute emergency placements and client crisis after hours if needed.)

Qualifications:
• Master’s or bachelor’s degree in social work from an accredited program of social work education, or a combination of a bachelor’s degree in another human service field and experience in family and children’s services or adoption.
• 24-hour availability and willingness to travel during the birth and placement of a child.
• Knowledge of the not-for-profit sector and experience in a faith-based Christian organization are assets. Experience with organizations similar to Choice Adoptions is preferred and alignment with our mission is critical.
• Excellent clinical and assessment skills.
• Strong verbal and written communications skills.
• Computer skills sufficient to perform essential functions.
• Access to a reliable automobile with adequate insurance coverage.

Compensation:
• The duties outlined in this job description are not all-inclusive and additional duties and tasks will be assigned as required.
• Fair Labor Standards Classification: Monthly, Exempt
• DOE depending on experience and education. Hourly range between $21-27/hour
• A voluntary retirement plan is offered after 24 months of continuous employment with a 3% employer matching benefit.
• Oregon is an equal employment provider. Oregon “employment-at-will” state. This means that either the employer or employee may end the employment relationship at any time and for any reason unless a law or contract provides to the contrary.

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Please send resumes to mail@choiceadoptions.org