Child Focused Recruiter

The Department of Children and Families (DCF) seeks a dynamic, highly organized, and experienced professional to fill the critical role Child Focused Recruiter. The selected candidate will uphold the fundamental responsibility of protecting children from abuse and neglect and must have extensive knowledge of child welfare, adoption, and recruitment services to promote permanency for all children.

The Child Focused Recruiter will utilize the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption’s Wendy’s Wonderful Kids (WWK) Recruitment model to connect youth who wait for permanent homes with families who wish to adopt by implementing and coordinating effective recruitment, matching and support services for a caseload of 12-15 youth in active recruitment status. The recruiter will use the evidence-based, child-focused recruitment model to identify legally permanent resources for youth in MA DCF's permanent custody or Another Planned Permanent Living Arrangement (APPLA) status who are over the age of nine, have special needs and/or are part of a sibling group.

Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):

• Work in partnership with agency staff to identify youth for referrals to the program utilizing the Dave Thomas Foundation (DTFA) on Adoption's Wendy's Wonderful Kids (WWK) model.
• Review the case record, interview the youth, social worker responsible for case management, other agency staff with knowledge of the case and any available family members and/or other supportive connections to assist in the recruitment process.
• Utilize internet search tools to identify and locate resources within the youth’s network.
• Develop an initial written adoption readiness assessment describing the youth’s understanding and feelings about adoption.
• Create child-focused recruitment plans for the youth.
• Meet with the youth at least monthly.
• Communicate with the case manager on a monthly basis to review the progress of the recruitment plan.
• Meet with family members and supportive connections to discuss the progress of locating permanent resources for the youth.
• Once matched, work with the case manager, youth and the adoptive resource to ensure preplacement visits are implemented.
• Assist with the development and coordination of the transition plan with the youth and matched family. Work with the youth and family during the transition process to assist with placement support.
• Work in conjunction with the case manager to ensure that the adoptive family is working towards adoption finalization.
• In addition to DCF required trainings, attend educational opportunities provided by the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption including, but not limited to: WWK classroom training, online modules, WWK database training, webinars and the WWK Summit hosted by the Foundation.
• Submit monthly data in the WWK database.
• Other duties as assigned as may be required to fulfill the responsibilities of the Child-Focused Recruiter.

Required Qualifications :

• Relevant experience in child welfare including knowledge of issues surrounding foster care, adoption, trauma, medical and developmental needs and the importance of legal permanency are recommended as well as familiarity with DCF policy and procedures and the juvenile and/or probate court systems.
• Expertise in providing family support/excellent customer service
• Ability and willingness to travel with flexibility to work evenings and occasional weekends.
• Computer literacy and efficiency with MS Office software.
• Must have a commitment to work from a strength-based and/or youth development perspective.
• Belief that all children deserve legal permanency.
• Highly motivated self-starter.
• Knowledgeable regarding impact of trauma and trauma-informed practices.
• Demonstrated ability to organize and manage multiple projects and cultivate relationships.
• Demonstrated ability to cultivate strong working relationships with diverse populations, including public/private agency staff.
• Willingness to engage in cold calling people identified as current and previous connections of youth.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

About the Department of Children and Families :

The Department of Children and Families (DCF) is committed to upholding the fundamental mission of protecting children from abuse and neglect to ensure they are able to grow and thrive in a safe and nurturing environment. DCF’s vision is that all children have the right to grow up in a nurturing home, free from abuse and neglect, with access to food, shelter, clothing, health care and education.

DCF works toward establishing the safety, permanency and well-being of the Commonwealth's children by stabilizing and preserving families; providing quality temporary alternative care, when necessary, safely reunifying families; and when necessary and appropriate, creating new families through kinship, guardianship or adoption. Preferred applicants will possess a demonstrated commitment to the core practice values: 1) child-driven, 2) family-centered, 3) community-focused, 4) strength-based, 5) committed to diversity/cultural competency, and 6) committed to continuous learning.

Pre-Hire Process:
A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit and click on "Information for Job Applicants".

Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines.

Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth’s website.

If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete the ADA Reasonable Accommodation Online Request Form.

For questions, please the contact the Office of Human Resources at 1-800-510-4122 and select option #4.

Qualifications

First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.

Applicants must have (A) a Bachelor's degree or higher in social work, psychology, sociology, counseling, counseling education or criminal justice or a relevant human services degree and (B) a current and valid Licensures as a Licensed Social Work Associate, Licensed Social Worker, Licensed Certified Social Worker or Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker issued by the Massachusetts Board of Registration*.

• Applicants at the Department of Children and Families must obtain the required license in Social Work within the first nine (9) months of employment.

The classification may require possession of a current and valid Motor Vehicle Driver's License at a class level specific to assignment.

Salary placement is determined by a combination of factors, including the candidate's years of directly related experience and education, and alignment with our internal compensation structure as set forth by the Human Resources Division's Hiring Guidelines. For bargaining unit positions (non-management), compensation is subject to the salary provisions outlined in the applicable collective bargaining agreement and will apply to placement within the appropriate salary range.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.

Official Title : Social Worker I-DCF

Primary Location : United States-Massachusetts-Boston-1 Ashburton Place

Job : Community and Social Services

Agency : Department of Children & Families

Schedule : Full-time

Shift : Day

Job Posting : Nov 10, 2025, 8:58:08 AM

Number of Openings : 10

Salary : 67,093.26 - 91,637.26 Yearly

If you have Diversity, Affirmative Action or Equal Employment Opportunity questions or need a Reasonable Accommodation, please contact Diversity Officer / ADA Coordinator : Jae Beal / [email protected] - 8572837581

Bargaining Unit : 08-SEIU - Local 509 - Social/Rehabilitation

Confidential : No

Potentially Eligible for a Hybrid Work Schedule : Yes