Child Welfare and Protection Specialist

General Dynamics Information Technology hiring for Child Welfare and Protection Specialist jobs in Washington, DC, US

The Child Welfare and Protection Specialist supports the Office on Trafficking in Persons (OTIP) under the Office of the Administration for Children & Families. The position is assigned to the Protection Division and works specifically with the child protection team under the guidance of the Child Trafficking Prevention and Protection Coordinator.

Duties include:

• Supports child trafficking prevention and protection efforts:
  • Develops, coordinates, and provides trainings for child welfare stakeholders regarding the provision of trafficking screenings for youth missing from foster care.
  • Drafts information memos, forms, and resources regarding trafficking prevention and protection for youth intersecting with the child welfare system, including children and youth missing from care.
  • Supports development of procedures to implement validated screening tools for assessing trafficking among children and youth in child welfare.
  • Collaborates with federal, state, and local partners to strengthen child welfare screening protocols and overall prevention and protection response to human trafficking, particularly in child welfare and foster care settings.
  • Coordinates efforts for the National Advisory Committee on the Trafficking of Children and Youth in the United States.
  • Drafts policies and procedures addressing the Child Eligibility process.
  • Updates policies and procedures accordingly pursuant to legislative updates.
  • Revises forms and public guidance on access to Interim Assistance and Eligibility Letters, child trafficking screening instruments, referral forms, and access to benefits and services; and
  • Coordinates responses to external inquiries regarding child trafficking and the eligibility process.
  • Serves on relevant interagency working groups.
  • Provides technical assistance to the National Human Trafficking Hotline.
  • Advises on child trafficking policies and issues including the handling of external requests for Personally Identifiable Information.
  • Reviews and analyzes data and assists with the preparation of reports, fact sheets, and informational materials on child trafficking and internal datasets relevant to the Child Eligibility process and general child trafficking efforts.

• Supports the Child Eligibility Process through Child Protection Specialist Duties:
• Provides back-up support to assist with intake and processing Requests for Assistance for foreign national children who may have been subjected to a severe form of trafficking in persons, and seeks clarification and additional information regarding trafficking concerns, as necessary.
• Assesses child protection and emergency needs and connects foreign national minors to benefits and services through a national network of providers, including OTIP grant programs.

• Drafts written case summaries and analysis of trafficking concerns in accordance with the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000, as amended.
• Prepares and assists with mailing Eligibility and Interim Assistance Letters, which are granted to foreign national children who have or may have been subjected to human trafficking.
• Identifies and provides technical assistance and case coordination to staff and intra-agency partners serving foreign national children with identified trafficking concerns.
• Identifies, prepares, and delivers trainings to Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) staff and field coordinators, ORR care provider programs, and other relevant internal and external stakeholders.
• Communicates with federal, state, and local law enforcement, as well as staff from community programs serving foreign national child victims of trafficking regarding the Child Eligibility process.
• Presents trainings relevant to the Child Eligibility process and presents at conferences and meetings.
• Handles inquiries received through the Child Protection and Trafficking Victim Verification inboxes and phone lines, as necessary.
• Other duties as assigned and necessary to carry out the Eligibility determinations for foreign national child trafficking victims.
• Assists in orienting new staff on the Child Eligibility process and all relevant internal protocols.

The position is based in Washington D.C. but is eligible for telework.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Social Work or related discipline is required; Master's degree in Social Work is preferred.

Experience

• If Bachelor's degree, requires 5-8 years of experience; if Master's degree, 3-5 years of experience.
• Direct experience working in state child welfare, child protective services, child welfare investigations, foster care, or other child welfare capacity (2-3 years of experience).
• Direct experience working with individuals who have experienced human trafficking (2-3 years of experience).
• Direct experience working with foreign nationals.
• Strong organizational and analytical skills.
• Strong communication skills (written and oral).
• Experience providing trainings and technical assistance to various stakeholders.

Work Requirements

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Years of Experience
5 + years of related experience

* may vary based on technical training, certification(s), or degree

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Certification

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Travel Required
10-25%

About Our Work

We are GDIT. A global technology and professional services company that delivers consulting, technology and mission services to every major agency across the U.S. government, defense and intelligence community. Our 30,000 experts extract the power of technology to create immediate value and deliver solutions at the edge of innovation. We operate across 30 countries worldwide, offering leading capabilities in digital modernization, AI/ML, Cloud, Cyber and application development. Together with our clients, we strive to create a safer, smarter world by harnessing the power of deep expertise and advanced technology.

GDIT is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status, or any other protected class.