SALARY: $21.63 per hour

EXCELLENT BENEFITS:

• Among the highest compensation of any agency in the area
• Flexible workplace, hybrid remote/in-office duties depending on position
• 12 paid holidays inclding one floating holiday plus an extra day for your birthday pro-rated for part-time
• 12 - 24 days paid days off, depending on length of service
• Mileage reimbursed at federal rate of .655 cents 
• Monthly phone stipend $20-$40 per month depending on position
• 403b Retirement Plan with profit sharing contributions
• Cost of living pay increases annually; merit increases at time of evaluation
• Annual bonuses to staff as finances allow
• Short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance benefits premiums paid in full by employer
• Employee Assistance Program

This is a part-time, 20 hours per week, hybrid position with the primary location of services in Kalamazoo with some travel to Ann Arbor, East Lansing and throughout lower Michigan. 

The Kinship Navigator partners with kinship caregivers of relative children to access the support, information, and referrals they need to care for themselves and the children in their homes. All kinship navigation services are provided via phone, email, text and/or videoconferencing to kinship caregivers. The primary functions of this role are to provide direct services which includes reflective listening and responsivity to needs presented by kinship caregiver, participation in continuous quality improvement activities, community outreach and collaboration, and ongoing learning to best serve kinship families. 

This position is grant funded through the MichiKIN Network Program and will be delivered in collaboration with Michigan State University's MSW School of Social Work Kinship Care Resource Center (KCRC).  

The Kinship Navigator must have direct, personal experience participating in at least one of the following processes: foster care of a relative child or unlicensed relative foster care through the State of Michigan; partial, full, or juvenile guardianship of a relative child; adoption of a relative child. 

Candidate must value the prioritization of relative care first, when out of home placement occurs.

Candidate shall hold a minimum of a high school diploma, with experience working in human services, customer service, or related fields demonstrating interpersonal skills such as use of empathy, active listening, patience, curiosity, flexibility, and dependability required.  

Candidates must also possess the following skills:

· Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (both verbal and written) with experience in public speaking.

· Ability to provide high-quality customer service, handle multiple priorities simultaneously with confidence and poise in a fast-paced environment, and prioritize activities to meet deadlines.

· Evidence of the ability to work collaboratively and constructively with people at multiple levels and with diverse perspectives.

· Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite, especially Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Share Point, Teams, and Outlook, and proficiency or ability to become proficient in calendaring and Customer Relations Management Systems (Salesforce). 

Candidate must be willing and able to work flexible hours based on the needs of families in the program, including evenings and weekends if necessary. 

The Kinship Navigator shall have access to reliable transportation, shall possess a valid Driver’s License, positive driving record and proof of automobile insurance.

Candidate may not have been convicted of child abuse or neglect, a felony involving harm or threatened harm to an individual within the ten years immediately preceding the date of hire or be listed on the central registry as a perpetrator of child abuse or child neglect.

Hands Across The Water does not discriminate against an employee or applicant for employment with respect to hire, tenure, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment, or a matter directly or indirectly related to employment, because of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, height, weight, marital status, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, political beliefs or mental or physical disability.