Social Worker, Domestic Adoption Program-Phoenix, Arizona

1. Primary Purpose

The Social Work role in the Adoption Department requires strong clinical and administrative skills and encompasses responsibilities across both adoptive parent services and birth parent counseling. The Social Worker conducts clinical assessments to determine prospective adoptive parents’ eligibility and suitability to adopt, completes post-adoption and post‑placement visits and reporting, and provides comprehensive counseling and support to biological parents considering a voluntary adoption plan, empowering them to make informed decisions for themselves and their child. Key duties include individual counseling; completion of psychosocial histories; hospital, home, and community visits; coordination of infant hospital discharges; facilitation of matching and meetings between birth and adoptive parents; participation in placement or return of infants; and referrals to community resources. The role also involves conducting outreach, education, and training to promote Spence‑Chapin’s services, advance community awareness of adoption, and increase referrals. Success in this position requires strong engagement and assessment skills, the ability to educate diverse pre-adoptive families, comfort traveling within the area using mass transit or driving, and flexibility in scheduling evening appointments. This is a full-time hybrid position with a salary range generally between $63,000 and $70,000, commensurate with experience.
Spence-Chapin is a non-profit organization based in Phoenix, AZ that has been providing adoption services and adoption support for more than 110 years. At Spence-Chapin, we believe that every child deserves a family, and we work tirelessly to advocate for children in need of a permanent, loving home. Over our history, Spence-Chapin has served more than 25,000 children, women, and families through our main program areas: Comprehensive Domestic and International Adoption Programs; Birth Parent Services, Well-being Services; and International Humanitarian Aid through programs like our Granny Program to support children living in orphanages overseas.

Our work is made possible by individuals dedicated to our staff. At Spence-Chapin, we find joy in celebrating with each other, our co-workers, and our clients. Everyone is treated with respect and dignity to strengthen the vibrancy of our community. We celebrate a culture of excellence, inclusivity, compassion, flexibility, and support. Spence-Chapin offers a competitive benefits package that includes full health benefits, generous PTO and holiday schedule, HRA & FSA plans, life insurance, retirement plan with employer contribution, paid maternity/paternity/adoption leave, commuter benefits, and more. Being part of the Spence-Chapin team is being part of a legacy, which for more than 110 years has been providing critical services to children, women, and families around the world.

1. Key Performance Indicators

• Conduct home study assessments and write home study reports for families pursuing Domestic or International adoption. This requires the application of clinical skills and judgment
• Work with the Domestic and Special Needs Adoption Team to facilitate the adoption process for families adopting through Spence-Chapin's Domestic Adoption Program.
• Recruit adoptive families through targeted outreach plans, and facilitate the adoption process for families adopting through Spence-Chapin's Adoption Programs
• Facilitate monthly orientation meetings providing education to prospective adoptive parents on core adoption themes, and best practices in adoption
• Conduct post-placement/post-adoption visits and reporting. Ability to identify normative vs. atypical post-placement adjustment of child and family, and ability to teach families tools to promote optimal child development and attachment
• Provide supportive counseling to prospective adoptive families throughout their adoption process
• Provide options counseling to pregnant and postpartum women considering adoption
• Educate clients on best practices in adoption. Guide clients in planning, including making a hospital plan, matching adoptive families, reviewing legal documents, and securing an optimal post-surrender contact plan.
• Provide short-term, supportive, and bereavement counseling to clients who have placed a child
• Gather bio-psycho-social background information, formulate assessments, and write histories
• Maintain weekly tracking reports for all in-process families to ensure that their case is moving forward
• Maintain electronic records promptly, including SAM case notes and SAM document uploads
• Perform any other department or agency-related duties or special projects as directed by supervisor, including but not limited to outreach, client recruitment, conference attendance, presentations, workshops, support group facilitation, and training

1. Key Competencies

• Must be open and flexible to the demands of the on-call schedule and field work, including weekends and some evenings
• Demonstrated clinical and supervisory experience
• Strong oral and written communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to meet tight deadlines
• Ability to multitask; strong execution skills; thorough follow-through and attention to detail
• Strong analytical skills, critical thinking, and problem-solving
• Experience working with domestic violence, mental illness, homelessness, foster care, and substance abuse is a plus
• Spanish speaking a plus

1. Education and Experience

• MSW from an accredited school of social work
• A minimum of two years of MSW experience
• Must have a valid driver's license and a clean driving record
• Experience in adoption and/or pregnancy counseling preferred; must have at least one- year of counseling

1. Technical Skills

• MS Office - Proficiency in Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• Experience with database platforms and entering case notes

This job description is not intended to detail every aspect of your job or list every task you may perform. It is provided as a general overview of the responsibilities and skills required to do this job successfully.