Job Description

Job Location: Dubuque County - Dubuque, IA 52001, Foster & Adoption Caseworker - Licensing/Support

Dubuque, Iowa | Full-Time | $21.80/hour ($45,344/year)

Help Families Build Safe, Stable & Lasting Connections

At Family Resources, our mission is to support successful lives to build strong communities. Since 1849, we've helped individuals and families build safer, stronger futures through services grounded in safety, integrity, trauma-informed care, partnerships, and dignity & respect.

As a Foster & Adoption Caseworker - Licensing/Support, you'll work alongside foster, adoptive, pre-adoptive, kinship, and guardianship families throughout their journey.

From helping families navigate licensing and preparation to providing ongoing support through placement and permanency, you'll build meaningful relationships, connect families with resources, and help children and caregivers create safe, stable, and lasting connections.

What You'll Do

• Guide Families: Support families through foster and adoption licensing, preparation, home studies, and permanency services.
• Build Meaningful Relationships: Develop trusting relationships with children and caregivers while providing individualized support.
• Create Plans for Success: Partner with families to identify needs, resources, and strategies to navigate challenges.
• Be There When It Matters: Provide in-home support and crisis response to help families maintain stability and prevent disruptions.
• Connect Families with Resources: Help families access education, training, community resources, and support groups.
• Collaborate for Better Outcomes: Work alongside Health and Human Services, Juvenile Court Services, Foster & Adoption team members, and community partners.
• Support Transitions: Help families navigate placement, adoption, guardianship, and other permanency transitions.
• Keep Things Moving: Maintain timely documentation, case records, and required information using established procedures.
• Stay Connected: Travel throughout Dubuque and surrounding communities to meet with families, attend meetings, and provide support where it's needed.

What We're Looking For

Education: Bachelor's degree in Human Services, Social Work, Behavioral Sciences, or a related field.

Experience: At least 1 year of related experience.

You'll also need

• A valid driver's license in good standing
• Appropriate auto insurance
• Ability to pass a motor vehicle record background check

We're looking for someone who is compassionate, dependable, collaborative, self-reflective, and comfortable working both independently and as part of a team. Most importantly, you should have a passion for helping children and families thrive.

Pay & Schedule

• $21.80/hour, approximately $45,344/year
• Full-time, 40 hours per week
• Primarily daytime weekday hours, with flexibility to meet client needs
• Nonexempt/hourly position
• Based in our Dubuque office
• Service area includes Dubuque and surrounding communities

Benefits That Support Your Life

Meaningful work should come with benefits that support you outside of work, too.

• Affordable medical, dental, and vision insurance, with Family Resources covering most of the premium
• Employer-paid life and long-term disability insurance
• Short-term disability coverage
• Flexible PTO with rollover opportunities
• 12 paid holidays
• 401(k) with a 50% match on contributions up to 10%
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Pet insurance options
• $25 monthly cell phone reimbursement
• $0.50 mileage reimbursement per mile
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness qualifying employer
• 8 weeks of paid longevity leave after 10 years of full-time employment, without using your regular PTO

A Workplace Where You Can Do Meaningful Work

Family Resources operates using the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS). We believe in having the right person in the right seat, with employees who understand their role, want the role, have the capacity to succeed, and share our agency values.

Our leaders provide clear expectations, the tools and support you need to succeed, regular one-on-one communication, effective teamwork, and recognition for your contributions.

We value people who bring humility, communicate openly, welcome feedback, continue learning, and aren't afraid to advocate for themselves, their team, or the people we serve.

Why Your Work Matters

Foster care and adoption are more than a process. They're about creating safe, stable, lifelong connections.

In this role, you'll have the opportunity to help families prepare for foster care and adoption, support them through challenges and transitions, and provide resources and encouragement long after the initial placement.

Your work can help strengthen families, reduce placement disruptions, and create positive, lasting outcomes for children and caregivers.

If you're looking for meaningful work where you can build relationships, support families, and make a lasting difference in the lives of children, we'd love to hear from you.

Qualifications