Manager of Indian Child Welfare - ICWA
Pembroke
Manager of Indian Child Welfare - ICWA
Full Time • Pembroke
Responsive recruiter
Manager of Indian Child Welfare (ICWA)
Position Description
Department:
Health and Human Services
Health and Human Services
Reports to (title):
Director of Health and Human Services
Director of Health and Human Services
Hours/week:
40
Job Location:
Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina
Type of Position:
Full-Time
Classification:
Exempt
Effective Date:
05/2026
PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS
In performance of their respective tasks and duties all employees of Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina are expected to conform to the following:
- Uphold all principles of confidentiality to the fullest extent.
- Adhere to all professional and ethical behavior standards of the tribal government.
- Interact in an honest, trustworthy, and respectful manner with employees, Tribal members, visitors, and vendors.
- Participate in departmental staff meetings, quality management activities and educational programs.
- Comply with Lumbee Tribe’s policies and procedures.
- Maintain a current insurable driver’s license.
POSITION PURPOSE
The Manager of Indian Child Welfare (ICWA) serves as the Lumbee Tribe’s lead coordinator for matters involving the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), kinship care, foster family engagement, and culturally grounded child welfare support for Lumbee children and families. This position helps ensure that child welfare matters involving Lumbee children are handled in a timely, culturally appropriate, and legally compliant manner while protecting tribal sovereignty, promoting family preservation, and maintaining children’s connection to tribal identity, family, and community.
The Manager of Indian Child Welfare (ICWA) serves as the Lumbee Tribe’s lead coordinator for matters involving the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), kinship care, foster family engagement, and culturally grounded child welfare support for Lumbee children and families. This position helps ensure that child welfare matters involving Lumbee children are handled in a timely, culturally appropriate, and legally compliant manner while protecting tribal sovereignty, promoting family preservation, and maintaining children’s connection to tribal identity, family, and community.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES, FUNCTIONS, & RESPONSIBILITIES
- Coordinate and assist with cases involving the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) for Lumbee children and families.
- Serve as a point of contact for the Lumbee Tribe in matters involving child welfare agencies, departments of social services, courts, attorneys, guardians ad litem, foster care agencies, and other relevant entities regarding ICWA-related cases.
- Help identify, track, and document cases involving Lumbee children to ensure appropriate tribal notification, family engagement, and culturally responsive support.
- Support the Tribe’s efforts to ensure compliance with ICWA requirements, including tribal involvement, notice procedures, relative and kinship placement considerations, and preservation of American Indian family and community connections.
- Assist in gathering and maintaining documentation related to tribal membership, eligibility, family connections, placement preferences, and case activity.
- Work collaboratively with families, service providers, and partner agencies to support family reunification efforts, kinship placements, permanency planning, and the best interests of American Indian children.
- Promote culturally appropriate case coordination that protects tribal sovereignty, family preservation, and the rights of American Indian children and families.
- Prepare case summaries, reports, and internal updates related to ICWA activities as requested by departmental leadership.
- Develop, coordinate, and provide kinship care training for potential Lumbee and other Tribal member families interested in becoming foster parents or kinship caregivers.
- Assist in recruiting, informing, and supporting tribal families who may be eligible to serve as placement resources for American Indian children.
- Provide training, orientation, and educational materials related to foster care, kinship care, child welfare processes, trauma-informed caregiving, mandated requirements, and culturally grounded care for American Indian children.
- Help families understand the process for becoming licensed foster parents, approved kinship caregivers, or other supportive placement resources.
- Coordinate follow-up support, referrals, and resources for families interested in fostering or caring for children through kinship placement.
- Work with partner agencies, child welfare professionals, and community organizations to strengthen the pipeline of Lumbee and Tribal member foster and kinship homes.
- Represent the department in a professional and respectful manner at meetings, case coordination activities, trainings, court-related meetings, events, and community functions as assigned.
- Maintain organized files, records, reports, and documentation related to ICWA matters, family engagement, trainings, and related activities.
- Assist with collecting information and supporting data for reports, grant activities, compliance needs, presentations, and program updates.
- Help ensure that child welfare activities are conducted in compliance with tribal policies, confidentiality requirements, applicable law, and departmental standards. Advise applicants of the required information, records, and documents needed to complete the application for tribal enrollment and/or updating of tribal enrollment records to determine eligibility under the Lumbee tribal membership criteria and governing ordinances.
- Building and sustaining long-lasting relationships with new and existing out-of-territory Lumbee people.
- Inform out-of-territory Lumbee people about different programs that are provided by the Lumbee Tribe.
- Understand the needs of our out-of-territory Lumbee people to effectively communicate the information to the Tribal Administrator and Tribal Chairman.
- Determine ways to provide out-of-territory Lumbee people with services by working closely with the department managers as well as senior management.
- Receive phone calls and inform members of the application process, information, and status.
- Listen to tribal member questions and concerns while initiating proper problem-solving skills.
- Inter-professional collaboration with the enrollment, energy, and other tribal departments to ensure the Lumbee tribal member receives proper services and satisfaction.
- Provide information regarding tribal services to foster engagement with LTNC.
- Gain understanding of out-of-territory tribal members' concerns and provide feedback to LTNC Tribal Administration.
- Communicating with people outside the organization and representing the organization to out-of-territory Lumbee people. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, by telephone, or by e-mail.
- Imperative to give full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Must be a self-starter, have attention to detail, be well organized, and have strong problem-solving abilities.
- Perform all duties as assigned.
MINIMUM MANDATORY QUALIFICATIONS
Experience:
- Minimum of three to five years of progressively responsible experience in child welfare, family services, kinship care, foster care, tribal human services, behavioral health, or a related field.
- Experience working with a tribal government, American Indian organization, child welfare program, family services program, or public-sector human services agency.
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in social work, human services, child welfare, public administration, psychology, counseling, criminal justice, or a related field required.
- Preferred Master’s degree in social work, public administration, counseling, child welfare, or a related field.
Mandatory Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Other Qualifications:
- Demonstrated experience coordinating cases, supporting families, facilitating trainings, or working with community-based service systems.
- Strong organizational and administrative skills with the ability to manage multiple sensitive matters, deadlines, and stakeholder relationships.
- Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment in handling sensitive family and child welfare information.
- Valid driver’s license and ability to travel locally as required for meetings, court-related coordination, trainings, home- and community-based activities, and departmental functions.
- Knowledge of ICWA principles and the importance of preserving American Indian families, tribal identity, and culturally appropriate placements for American Indian children.
- Knowledge of kinship care, foster care processes, permanency planning, family engagement, and community-based support systems.
- Ability to communicate effectively with families, courts, social services agencies, tribal leadership, staff, and partner organizations.
- Ability to organize case-related activities, meetings, trainings, records, and follow-up actions with a high degree of accuracy and professionalism.
- Ability to work independently while also functioning as part of a collaborative team.
- Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to respond calmly and effectively to sensitive situations.
- Respect for tribal sovereignty, culture, traditions, and community values.
- Commitment to improving outcomes for Lumbee children and families through culturally grounded, family-centered support.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Work environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative to those an employee encounters while performing the primary functions of this job. Normal office conditions exist, and the noise level in the work environment can vary from low to moderate. Limited overnight travel may be required from time to time.
Physical demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the primary functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be required to frequently stand, walk, sit, bend, twist, talk, hear and perform repetitive motions. There may be prolonged periods of sitting, keyboarding, reading, as well as driving or riding in transport vehicles. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include reading, distance, computer, and color vision. Talking and hearing are essential to communicate with clients, vendors, and staff.
Mental demands:
There are a number of deadlines associated with this position. The employee must be able to handle frequent interruptions and must also multi-task and interact with a wider variety of people on various and, at times, complicated issues.
INDIAN PREFERENCE
The Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina has implemented an Indian Preference in Employment Policy. Pursuant to this Policy, applicants who possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities required by this position, and who are members of the Lumbee Tribe will be given primary preference for hiring and employment after providing proof of tribal membership. Indian preference is integrated into the interview and scoring process for candidates for job positions.
OTHER
Confidentiality:
All employees must uphold all principles of confidentiality to the fullest extent. This position has access to sensitive information and a breach of these principles will be grounds for immediate termination.
Background Investigation:
This position is subject to a criminal history background check, and a Motor Vehicle check. Candidates must successfully pass all required background checks in order to qualify for this position.
This position is subject to a criminal history background check, and a Motor Vehicle check. Candidates must successfully pass all required background checks in order to qualify for this position.
Drug Screening:
All applicants must successfully pass a pre-employment drug screening prior to beginning employment and will be subject to random drug testing.
Disclaimer: The information on this position description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performance by employees in this position. It is not designed to contain, or be interpreted as, a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this position. Employees will be asked to perform other duties as needed.
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
The Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina is an organization derived of individuals working to provide services to the Lumbee people of Robeson, Hoke, Cumberland, and Scotland Counties. We pride ourselves on selecting the best talent and are committed to providing a safe place of employment for our team members. Each application is thoroughly reviewed and carefully considered. Thank you for choosing our organization to continue your professional development. Once your application is submitted we will be in touch to determine next steps.
Cheryl Chavis – Manager, Human Resources
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