Catholic Charities seeks to implement the Church's mission of social justice in the Diocese of Arlington in ways that strengthen individuals, families, and communities. In addition to a purpose-based work environment, Catholic Charities offers a generous benefit package including medical plans, generous holiday leave, paid Family Medical Leave*, flexible work options, career development, Diocesan tuition reimbursement*, retirement plans and much more.

Social Worker/Counselor I
Ministry: Pregnancy and Adoption Support
Primary Office: Fairfax
Hours per Week: 40 exempt
Staff Supervisor: Adoption Supervisor
Telework Available: ____ No ___x__Hybrid
Starting Salary Range: $58,656 - $59,850
Cover Letter Required

Position Description:
Our pregnancy support work is designed to empower women and families to make well thought out and informed decisions about what is best for them and their child. Our adoption program is structured to find families for children in need of care. The Social Worker/Counselor I will serve as an integral member of the PAS team in accomplishing these goals through providing options counseling and adoption planning to expectant parents, completing home studies for prospective adoptive families, providing post placement supervision for infant and foster care adoptions, supporting post adoption clients (adoption record disclosures and search/reunion), and assisting other PAS team members in educating both adoptive families and community partners on adoption issues and services.

Position Responsibilities:

In alignment with ministry standards conducts intake, assessment, and options counseling for all expectant parents in need of services.
Provides parents pursuing an adoption plan with options counseling, adoption planning support, and case management during pregnancy and following placement.
Completes adoption home studies within designated period according to Virginia State Standards and CCDA requirements.
Carries both infant and foster care (Waiting Child Program) adoption cases
Advocates for adoptive families to obtain relevant information to make informed decisions about accepting a placement. Provide proper supports to ensure a successful transition and placement for the child and family.
Collaborates with community partners to educate them about our agency’s services and follow up with client referrals to/from these partners.
Supports Social Worker/Counselor II and III with program training/public speaking obligations for PAS adoptive families and community partners.

Other Duties:

Work occasional evenings and weekends; participate in an on-call rotation.
Carry a small caseload of post adoption clients as needed.
Receive a minimum of 1 hour of supervision per week.
Willing to travel throughout the Diocese educating and promoting the work of the ministry in the community.
Willing to uphold Catholic social teaching.

Qualifications & Skills:

Valid driver's license, 3 years of driving in the USA and a safe driving record.
Proficient in Microsoft office and other relevant software
Effective communication and people skills with the ability to work effectively with diverse populations
Bilingual English/Spanish preferred

Education and Experience:

Master’s degree in social work or another related field or a bachelor’s degree in a related field with 3 years social work/case management experience
Experience working in child welfare preferred

Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
This role involves working frequently with individuals in crisis or distress which may require the mental health professional to manage their own stress and maintain emotional resilience.
BENEFITS: Vacation, Sick, STD, LTD, Paid FML*, 16 paid holidays in 2025, Medical, Dental, Vision, Employee Assistance Program, retirement plan, After 1 year: Pension, Diocesan School Tuition Reimbursement K-12, Education Assistance, Closed between Christmas and New Years.*

Thank you for your interest in joining Catholic Charities, Diocese of Arlington in the crucial work we do. Catholic Charities appreciates the time and effort it takes to submit an application.

Catholic Charities Diocese of Arlington

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Social Worker/Counselor I