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Join our team!
Be a leader in creating a community where all children are treasured and families are strong.

Here are a few perks you'll receive while working to make a difference in the life of a child:

  • Competitive wages – While the nature of our work is the greatest reward, we all have to earn a living!

  • Insurance Benefits – A great variety of options to best suit your needs!

  • 403B Retirement Plan with a generous agency contribution – We’d love to have you stay forever, but you better save some cash for fun during retirement!

  • An abundant amount of Paid time off – Self-care is important. Take some time off; you deserve it!
  • On-site Continued Education Training – to keep you on top of your game (and to keep some cash in your pockets to help avoid off-site training costs)

  • Wellness – It’s all about Fitness 

  • DABSJ is proud to have achieved the Level 1 Endorsement with Partners for a Racism Free Community. Diversity and Inclusion is an Agency value that we take seriously. Our Inclusion Council has been working diligently on this process and we are happy to be associated with this initiative.

  • A work culture like no other – Don’t believe us? Well take a look at what one of our employees has to say:

“I love my job because it is unlike any other. It is rare to find an organization, a vision and a team which has a focus on what really matters; not only for the families we work with, but for the people who move the vision forward. My job utilizes my passion, skill and heart in a way that stretches me in all aspects and allows me to give others support in a unique way, that I pray is beneficial and lasting. I see my job as a calling; each day I seek to answer."

Gabriel, YDIP Mentor

    holding hands

    Why I love Working at DABSJ

    “I love my job because I get to help empower families and children everyday!” 

    Karra, Foster Care Team Lead

    Learn about our services.

    Our talent retention rate is second to no one and we even have a special class of staff affectionately referred to as “boomerangs.” They leave for other employment and eventually come back to the agency.

    Current Job Opportunities

    We're in need of Youth Development Specialists and Foster Care Workers. Watch the videos below to learn everything you need to know about the positions before our joining our team!

    Maintenance Worker
    Reports To: Facilities Manager
    Beginning Pay: $16.00 - $17.20 hourly

    Application Deadline: March 1, 2019

    D.A. Blodgett – St. John’s is seeking an energetic and experienced full time Maintenance Worker to join our facilities team supporting the agency’s broad spectrum of child and family focused services including foster care, adoption, counseling, mentoring services and residential care for children. The Maintenance Worker reports to the Facility Manager and will generally work daytime hours, Monday through Friday, 40 hours per week, with occasional evening and/or weekend hours to respond to emergency repair needs and/or extreme weather events. The Maintenance Worker is responsible for providing clean, safe and functional facilities by ensuring that maintenance and repair activities are completed timely and accurately.  The Maintenance Worker will possess a variety of skills including but not limited to plumbing, electrical, carpentry, appliance repair, painting, air conditioning/heating, landscaping and grounds keeping. 

    Qualifications:

    High School diploma or equivalent required. 2 to 3 years of maintenance experience preferred, though not required.

    More Information Apply Today

    Family Support Services Supports Coordinator
    Reports To: Family Supports Services Supervisor
    Beginning Pay: $30,550 - $34,000

    Application Deadline: March 1, 2019

    Family Support Services provides in home case management service to children who are diagnosed with a developmental disability.  Support Coordinators respond to the expressed needs and desires of the family and provide concrete assistance in coordinating a family support system and resources. Supports coordinators provide linking, monitoring, and coordinating of services within the community. Supports Coordinators work with the families and consumers to develop a person-centered plan (PCP) to assist the family and child in achieving goals in the areas of activities of daily living, improving the child’s ability to communicate and interact with his/her environment, and promoting inclusion and participation in the community. Services are provided in the home or community setting and some evening hours are required. 

    Qualifications:

    Minimum education requirements include a 4 year degree in the following: psychology, physician, education from an accredited program, social work, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, audiology, registered nurse, registered dietician, therapeutic recreation, or a licensed or limited-licensed professional counselor.   Experience working with culturally diverse populations and one year of experience working with clients diagnosed with developmental disabilities preferred. Bilingual persons are encouraged to apply.

    More Information Apply Today

    Kent School Services Network Site Team Clinician
    Reports To: Kent School Services Network Supervisor
    Beginning Pay: $35,000 - $40,000

    Application Deadline: March 1, 2019 

    Full time, year round position. The Kent School Services Network Site (KSSN) Team Clinician will provide individual therapy, family therapy, case management, group services and crisis response to children, adolescents, and their families in a school office, home or community based setting. The clinician has the opportunity to work as part of a team of mental health and school professionals.  Those with the ability to engage on a variety of levels (school professionals, students/families and staff from outside agencies) are encouraged to apply.  Clinicians will provide service during the school day, after school, and early evenings as needed. 

    Qualifications:

    LMSW/LLMSW, LPC/LLPC, LLP/TLLP, LMFT/LLMFT or equivalent Michigan licensure is required. A minimum of 2 years of work experience and experience with culturally diverse populations is preferred. 

    More Information Apply Today

    Early Childhood Attachment Therapist (Infant Mental Health)
    Reports To: Early Childhood Attachment Supervisor
    Beginning Pay: $36,000 - $39,000

    Application Deadline: March 1, 2019

    D.A. Blodgett St. John’s is seeking a full-time Early Childhood Attachment therapist to provide Infant Mental Health services to children under 5 and their families.  This therapist will conduct assessments, provide therapy, educate on child development and provide parent education in the home and during parenting visits if applicable to families for the purpose of improving attachment/parent-child bond.  The therapist will work as part of a team along with their direct supervisor and reflective consultant.  The ability to collaborate with referral sources and foster care is highly desired.  Services will be provided during the day, afternoon, and early evenings by working a flexible schedule.

    Qualifications:

    LMSW/LLMSW, LPC/LLPC, LLP/TLLP, LMFT/LLMFT or equivalent Michigan licensure is required. Infant Mental Health Endorsement is desired otherwise starting to work towards endorsement at hire is required.  A minimum of 2 years of work with early childhood population and experience with culturally diverse populations is preferred. 

    More Information Apply Today

    Supervisor - Infant Mental Health
    Reports To: Clinical Program Manager
    Beginning Pay: $39,200 - $49,000

    Application Deadline: February 29, 2019

    D.A. Blodgett – St. John’s is looking for a dynamic and collaborative leader to supervise its well-established Infant Mental Health program. The position requires a strong theoretical and operational understanding of the IMH model, including target population, intent, and desired outcomes. You will be responsible for day to day program operations and supervising staff in support of exceptional quality and adherence to contract, accreditation and other regulatory standards.  Community collaboration and internal integration are priorities, particularly with foster care, requiring strong program development, strategic thinking and utilization management skills. If you believe you have the skills, experience and energy to lead the team through an exciting stage in its growth and development, we would love to hear from you!

    Qualifications:

    The position requires a Master’s Degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology or related field, and a minimum of a level II Mi-AIMH endorsement, with at least 2 years of Infant Mental Health experience.  

    More Information Apply Today

    Foster Care Supportive Visitation Visit Coach
    Reports To: Foster Care Supportive Visitation Supervisor
    Beginning Pay: TBD

    Application Deadline: February 15, 2019

    Flexible schedule position working in our Foster Care Supportive Visitation Program providing remote, intensive and individualized parent-child visit services to families. We are based in Kent County, but serve 13 counties; Montcalm, Ottawa, Kent, Ionia, Allegan, Barry, Mason, Lake, Osceola, Oceana, Newago, Mecosta and Muskegon counties whose children are in foster care and where reunification is the case goal. General activities include: in-home parenting education, observing parent-child interactions, and giving helpful feedback to the parent before and after each session.

    Qualifications:

    Bachelor’s Degree in human services with specialized study in the area of parenting, child development, or related area required, as well as a minimum of one year field experience working with multi-problem families. Knowledge of the Bavolek Nurturing Parenting Program, the Adult-Adolescent Parenting Inventory (AAPI) and the Nurturing Skills Competency Scale preferred.

    More Information Apply Today

    Behavior Support Specialist
    Reports To: Behavior Support Services Supervisor
    Beginning Pay: $12.94

    Application Deadline: February 13, 2019

    Part-time position (with the potential for full time) working 3-5 days a week, after school, evening, and weekend hours with developmentally delayed or severely emotionally disturbed children. Meeting with the child in the family home to teach, train and/or assist the child with his or her needs that may increase or maintain independence.

    Qualifications:

    High school diploma or equivalent required. 30 college credits and child welfare experience preferred.

    More Information Apply Today

    Residential Program Manager
    Reports To: Director of Residential Services
    Beginning Pay: $50,000.00 - $60,000.00 Annually

    Application Deadline: February 28, 2019

    Are you an experienced, creative and effective Residential leader looking for your next challenge? Can you use your practical and theoretical knowledge to strengthen programs, improve systems and engage and empower staff and youth? If so, D.A. Blodgett – St. John’s has a rare opportunity for you to explore. We are looking for an energetic, dynamic and strategic Program Manager for our well-established Residential program. In this role, you will be a key thought leader and strategist for the agency’s Residential division, providing insight and analysis of trends, data and best practice at the program, organization, community and systems levels. As a partner with the Division Director and other program leaders, you will help chart the course for the next phase of the Division’s growth and development, functioning as a mentor and key support to supervisors and program staff alike. We are committed to not only meeting the challenges in Residential Services but developing solutions to engage and retain an exceptional workforce to provide exceptional care to the children and families we serve. Come join us!

    Qualifications:

    Minimum requirements include a relevant Bachelors’ Degree in a Human Services discipline and at least four years of increasingly responsible leadership experience in a Child Caring Institution. Master’s degree in relevant Human Services discipline preferred, with leadership experience in a Child Caring Institution.

    More Information Apply Today

    Foster Care Program Manager
    Reports To: Director of Child Welfare Services
    Beginning Pay: $50,000.00 - $60,000.00 Annually

    Application Deadline: February 27, 2019

    Are you an experienced, creative and effective Child Welfare leader looking for your next challenge? Can you use your practical and theoretical knowledge to strengthen programs, improve systems and engage and empower families? If so, D.A. Blodgett – St. John’s has a rare opportunity for you to explore. We are looking for an energetic, dynamic and strategic Program Manager for our well-established Foster Care program. In this role, you will be a key thought leader and strategist for the agency’s child welfare division, providing insight and analysis of trends, data and best practice. As a partner with the Division Director and Managers in Licensing and Adoption, you will chart the course for the next phase of the Division’s growth and development, functioning as a mentor and key support to supervisors and program staff alike. We are committed to not only meeting the challenges in Child Welfare but developing solutions to engage and retain an exceptional workforce to provide exceptional care to the children and families we serve. Come join us!

    Qualifications:

    Minimum requirements include a relevant Masters’ Degree in a Human Services discipline and at least four years of increasingly responsible leadership experience in the Child Welfare field.

     

    More Information Apply Today

    Letter of Inclusion from our President/CEO

    D.A. Blodgett - St. John’s Responds

    “I wish I could say that racism and prejudice were only distant memories. We must dissent from the indifference. We must dissent from the apathy. We must dissent from the fear, the hatred and the mistrust. We must dissent because America can do better, because America has no choice but to do better.” 

    ~ Thurgood Marshall
     

    “Yeah, I love being famous. It's almost like being white, y'know?” 

    ~ Chris Rock
     

    Despite its modern subtlety and progress since the Jim Crow era, the current strain of racism infecting our society is unlikely to be self-healing. Our culture is still deeply infected with anti-black bias, even with an African-American president in office. National surveys continue to reveal commonly held stereotypes of African Americans as less hardworking and less intelligent than whites. A number of powerful psychological experiments show the extent to which blackness for Americans is closely tied to images of violence and danger.

    The core values of D.A. Blodgett-St John’s (DABSJ) strongly support inclusion and racial justice as a common thread uniting all of our programs, clients, staff, and volunteers. Being inclusive and eliminating discrimination does not happen without intention and effort, however. To that end we are working with Partners for a Racism Free Community (PRFC) to establish a workplace that:

    • Reduces cultural barriers by identifying and addressing unconscious bias.
    • Implements best practices towards embracing a racism-free culture.
    • Cultivates an environment where all feel respected and valued, creativity thrives, confidence grows, and performance excels.
    • Drives accountability and continuous improvement.

    We are in the early stages of becoming a Level 1 partner with PRFC. Level 1 assessment focuses on six target areas: leadership engagement, internal policies and processes, external collaborations, vendor and supplier practices, and client practices. We plan to achieve a Level 2 partnership. Level 2 is a deeper dive into goal measurement and results. Successful goal attainment will earn DABSJ the coveted PRFC accreditation and community wide recognition.       

    Jim Paparella

    President and CEO

    Partners for a Racism Free Community

    D.A. Blodgett – St. John’s is proud to announce that we have achieved the Level 1 Endorsement with Partners for a Racism Free Community. Diversity and Inclusion is an Agency value that we take seriously. Our Inclusion Council has been working diligently on this process and we are happy to be associated with this initiative.