ICWA Specialist

Job Summary:  

Under the supervision by the Family Services Director.   Protects children from arbitrary removal; manages child protective services in child abuse and neglect cases and ICWA cases. Ensures legal and cultural compliance with Federal ICWA standards, New Mexico Indian Family Protection Act (IFPA), New Mexico Children’s Code and Pueblo of San Felipe Protecting Persons at Risk Code.

Essential Duties: 

• To administer the Indian Child Welfare Program for purpose of preventing removal of San Felipe children from their traditional families and Pueblo community by New Mexico CYFD and State Courts.
• The ICWA designated staff will respond to ICWA Notice of Initiating Investigation & Invitation to Case Collaborate and Child Protective Services (CPS) State-wide Central Intake (SCI) reports within 15 days and will work with the State Courts, State Children, NM Children, Youth & Families Division (CYFD), and ICWA Attorney/Tribal Administration on ICWA proceedings, tribal transfers, treatment planning, etc.  
• Case manages all incoming Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) and Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) Notices by responding to the SCI CPS reports and ICWA Notices and verifying membership of children and family.  
  Notify the Tribal Administration (Governor) when a San Felipe child/child(ren) enters the State custody and to seek for intervention/transfer of case.    
  
• Coordinates and collaborates with New Mexico Children, Youth & Families Division (CYFD), State Courts      Native American tribes, Pueblos and Nations to ensure proper Federal ICWA-IFPA laws are in compliance by 
  Exercising its rights as a tribe and to be actively involved in State Court ICWA proceedings, case coordination and consultations with State agencies (Children, Youth & Families Division) and tribal ICWA attorney.  
• Maintains a statistical record keeping of all Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) Notices received from the State agencies. 
• Maintains comprehensive reports, narratives and case records for ICWA, CARA and child abuse/neglect cases.    
  
• Serve as the tribal ICWA representative for Indian children and families within the State Courts of jurisdiction, New Mexico CYFD and tribal partners.
• Attend review hearings for child abuse/neglect, ICWA, CARA cases in State Courts or tribal Courts.
• Testifies in State Courts as a Qualified Expert Witness for ICWA and CARA cases. 
• Participate in Family-Centered meetings and other ICWA meetings with NM CYFD and collaborative partners for active ICWA cases and Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) cases in NM CYFD.  
• Participates in case coordinated meetings with Supervisor for care plans, case management and case supervision.  
• Participates in other tribal services and program prevention activities/events.  
• Must obtain a Qualified Expert Witness (QEW) certification, Victim Advocacy Certification and other qualified certifications.    
• Must be an active member of the Child Protection Team, Case Coordination Review Team, and Federal Multidisciplinary Team. 
• Attend the New Mexico Tribal Indian Child Welfare Act (TIC) consortium meetings on a monthly basis.  
• Must be willing to work 24/7 for after hour crisis calls and weekend crisis response.   
  
• Must be able to travel Out-of-State for ICWA case management, trainings/meetings related to ICWA, child abuse/neglect and victim advocacy, etc.    
• Serve as an alternate to transport victims and their children to UNICA Children’s Advocacy Center and Solace Treatment Centers for forensic interviews.   
• Conducts investigations with BIA Law Enforcement on child abuse and neglect cases.    
• Performs other duties as assigned.  

Additional Responsibilities:

This position description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties performed by this employee.  He or she will be required to follow any other instructions or to perform any other duties requested by his or her supervisor. Ability to make administrative and procedural decisions and judgments on sensitive and confidential issues.  Abides by all Federal Confidentiality law and privacy practices under the Federal HIPPA regulations, adheres to the Professional Social Work Code of Ethics. 

Qualifications:

• Education: HS Diploma or equivalent preferred; AA in Social Services or equivalent; BSW is desirable. 
• Experience/Basic Knowledge: 3 years or more work experience in human services, social services or related field; 3 years or more in working with a tribe or tribal organization in a social work/human services field.

Experience with child abuse/neglect protocols, knowledgeable with Qualified Expert Witness (QEW), Federal ICWA, NM Indian Families Protection Act (IFPA) and NM Children’s Code; interpret laws and regulations applicable to ICWA, child welfare, domestic violence, social services, etc.; knowledgeable Federal HIPPA regulations, etc.

• Required Licenses/Certifications: Prefer a valid driver license, QEW Certification, Victim Advocacy Certification, etc.
• Physical Requirements: Must be able to operate a computer. Ability to sit and stand for long periods. Bends and stoops regularly; must be able to lift objects 50lb or less.
• Preferences: Keres speaking is desirable; San Felipe and Veterans Preference. Must pass the background check. No DUI, domestic violence or Federal convictions.