Careers - Amara

Careers

Bring your full self and your bold ideas.

Every day is about making things better for kids in foster care, adoptees, and their families. Driven by our community, we work towards meaningful change — in our systems, in our culture, and within ourselves. Join us!

 

Building a place where we all thrive.

We have a vision to create a just and equitable world where all people grow and thrive. To bring this vision to life, we need creative, passionate people who reflect the diversity of our communities. At Amara, we work with children, adults, and families in our community impacted by foster care and adoption and seek innovative solutions to transforming the child welfare system, with a deep commitment to racial and social justice.

Together, we can create a more equitable and inclusive society—starting within our organization. We strongly encourage candidates who have personal experience with foster care and/or adoption as well as candidates from diverse backgrounds – including communities of color, the LGBTQIA+ community, veterans, and people with disabilities – to apply and join us in our work.

 

Amara requires that all employees and volunteers be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

This requirement is designed to center the families and children we serve and thus prioritize their safety and well-being along with the safety of our staff. Exemptions may be sought only for documented medical or religious accommodations. This policy complies with all state and local laws and is based upon guidance provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Washington Department of Health and state and local licensing authorities.

Current Openings

Thank you for your interest in working with us at Amara. 

Annual Giving Officer

Job Description – Annual Giving Officer

Amara serves the evolving needs of children, youth, and families impacted by the child welfare system. Centering equity, we advocate for systems change and bridge gaps by providing compassionate wrap-around resources, while helping to reduce trauma and bring healing. Our work helps maintain family and community connections while preventing child welfare involvement when possible.

At Amara, we believe that a supportive, equitable and inclusive workplace, where everyone feels valued, trusted, and nurtured, is key to shaping organizational culture and investing in underrepresented communities. Amara believes that a diverse workforce and inclusive workplace culture enhances our ability to fulfill our mission. We strongly invite candidates from diverse backgrounds, including communities of color, the LGBTQIA+ community, veterans, and people with disabilities to apply.

The Annual Giving Officer is responsible for campaign management and cultivating relationships with existing gift donors and identifying new donor prospects. This position plays a key role in data management and input, driving donor engagement, retention and acquisition through various channels, including direct mail, digital campaigns, and donor stewardship. The Annual Giving Officer will collaborate with internal teams and external partners to increase philanthropic support and advance the organization’s mission.

Responsibilities:

Reporting to the Director of Development, the Annual Giving Officer is a member of Amara’s External Relations team and works closely with staff across the organization. Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Create and implement in partnership with the Director of Development, an annual giving plan, including the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of donors not on existing donor officer caseloads and segmented by audience/donor type/level.
  • Manage and implement campaign management strategies to support Amara’s gift giving/fundraising goals and objectives.
    • Provide individualized strategies for year-end, employee giving, monthly, and direct mail campaigns that include metrics to monitor success.
    • Maintain a detailed schedule of activities
    • Assist with identifying, cultivating, and soliciting donor prospects, and developing cultivation strategies to upgrade gift levels.
    • Manages gift acknowledgement for donors.
    • Create well scripted content for direct mail campaigns.
    • Maintain online donation forms
  • Manage and expand our monthly-giving program to steward and upgrade monthly donors
    • Directly focus on new gift acquisition by utilizing available information and research such as community networking, events and other means to identify new donors.
    • Assist with the execution of strategies to increase Amara’s donor retention rates and identify less active or non-active donors. Develop initiatives to re-engage these donors.
    • Develop and maintain relationships with program partners and seek opportunities for building new partnerships.
    • Maintain recurring donation accounts through stewardship and follow-up with failed recurring donations
  • Support with event coordination and execution of Amara’s yearly fundraising events- Together We Thrive, Annual Amara Families Luau and Through the Foster Lens.
    • Lead event registration and payment processes
  • Coordination and oversite of the Amara Ambassador Board
  • Database management to include;
    • Entering new and updated donor information with accuracy and in a timely manner.
    • Responsible for entering and acknowledging donor gifts according to established policy.
    • Manages and trains any volunteers or support staff in data entry, acknowledgement and auditing.
    • Pulls donor information from a variety of external sources (Benevity, Washington Gives, etc.)
    • Responsible for generating reports for trend and analysis purposes.
    • Identify segments and lay out goals for increasing annual gift size, support donor retention, and donor acquisition efforts
  • Reviewing data for deficiencies or errors, correcting any inconsistencies.
  • Works with the finance team by coding gifts in their proper program designation and collaborating as needed.
  • Responds to inquiries for information and accesses relevant files.
  • Acts in compliance with existing Amara data integrity, confidentiality, and data security policies.
  • Attends staff, department and intra-departmental meetings as required.
  • Work across Amara teams and with the Communications Team to share stories of impact and coordinate messaging/initiatives.
  • Act as the lead coordinator for stewardship materials for all development team staff; participate in creative meetings to customize and produce stewardship reports for donors, strategic gifts, initiatives, and more.
  • Build relationships and work effectively with the Development Team and external vendors.

Qualifications: The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

  • 3+ years in nonprofit fundraising, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Driven to provide exemplary customer service to donors
  • A successful track record of achieving, or assisting in achieving, tangible fundraising outcomes and the ability to respond effectively to changing fundraising priorities
  • Ability to work some evening and weekend hours as needed for events and meetings
  • Ability to travel and transport oneself to external meetings and vendor visits
  • History of demonstrating initiative and the ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines
  • Strong attention to detail while managing multiple projects simultaneously
  • Ability to work independently and to collaborate effectively
  • Goal-oriented, resourceful, flexible, positive, and good humored
  • Strong computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and experience working with financial systems and donor databases; Donor Dock experience is a plus
  • Ability to perform a variety of daily duties and projects with consistency and accuracy
  • Commitment to and ability to represent Amara’s mission and values and promoting social justice
  • Ability to work collaboratively with people from a variety of racial, cultural, educational and economic backgrounds
  • Commitment to advance Amara’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
  • Self-starter, able to work independently and as part of a team
  • Willingness to prioritize in-person meetings and travel between both King and Pierce County offices as needed.
  • Must be 21+, have access to a reliable automobile and maintain private auto insurance in addition to the coverage Amara holds.

Salary and Benefits

This is a full-time position (40 hours per week) with a rate of pay between $34.66-$42.09 per hour ($72,100-$87,548.97 annually). The final salary offered will be dependent on the selected candidates’ relevant experience/education. Amara offers a generous leave and benefits package including 10 company holidays, 4 personal days, sick leave, and 15 days of vacation per year. Competitive health, dental and vision insurance rates, a 401k with a company match, life, and disability insurance and a paid sabbatical. Amara supports a hybrid work environment with flexibility to work from home. In person work and travel between our Pierce or King County offices as well as to donor engagements throughout the Puget Sound region will be required.

Criminal Background Check

Amara conducts background checks appropriate to the contractual requirements of the position. A previous conviction will not necessarily bar individuals from employment at Amara. For specific requirements please feel free to contact the hiring manager or human resources.

To Apply

To express your interest in this position, please submit your resume and one-page cover letter indicating why this position is the right opportunity for you via Smart Recruiters. Resumes submitted without a cover letter will not be considered. https://smrtr.io/z-pvw

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Amara is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Caregiver Support Case Aide

Amara serves the evolving needs of children, youth, and families impacted by the child welfare system. Centering equity, we advocate for systems change and bridge gaps by providing compassionate wrap-around resources, while helping to reduce trauma and bring healing. Our work helps maintain family and community connections while preventing child welfare involvement when possible.

At Amara, we believe that a supportive, equitable and inclusive workplace, where everyone feels valued, trusted, and nurtured, is key to shaping organizational culture and investing in underrepresented communities. Amara believes that a diverse workforce and inclusive workplace enhances our ability to fulfill our mission. We strongly invite candidates from diverse backgrounds, including communities of color, the LGBTQ+ community, veterans, and people with disabilities to apply.

We are seeking to hire a Case Aide to become an integral and valued part of our Resource Care Team to achieve Amara’s vision. The Case Aide will be responsible for providing behavioral case aide services to a mixed caseload of caregivers and youth as part of the new state Caregiver Support contract supporting children and youth who are placed with foster or kinship caregivers. Caseload and hours will vary with program need and growth.

Position summary
Essential Duties and Responsibilities: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the following satisfactorily; other duties may be assigned. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This summary reflects the current expectations for the role; responsibilities will shift as contractual obligations and programmatic needs evolve.

  • Review Caregiver Support plans of all assigned cases to ensure case aide plan is understood and implemented
  • Provide Case Aide Services to a mixed caseload as assigned and according to each respective Caregiver Support Plan. This may include:
    • Behavioral support that ensures the health, safety, and wellbeing of the youth in their current placement and community
    • Protective Supervision for the youth at all directed times as indicated in child specific services and supervision plans
    • Engage in training and supportive services such as supervision to ensure maintenance and increase of skills needed to work with young people with special needs
    • Positive Behavioral Support which can focus on:
      • Creating a positive and supportive environment – by directly providing that to youth or supporting caregivers in gaining these skills to do so
      • Skill development of the caregiver and/or the youth
      • Ensuring that health care is readily accessed
    • Assess the child and caregiver’s needs for additional services, resources, or community connections or Case Aide services and report back as directed (to Supervisor and/or assigned Caregiver Support Specialist)
    • Support caregiver in monitoring child’s progress toward the child’s service plan
    • Ensure the physical, emotional, and social needs of foster/kinship youth assigned to your caseload are met
    • Support caregiver in accessing resources as needed that they’ve identified through their individualized resource list (including daycare/after school care, medical/dental services, respite care, mental health services, etc.)
    • Assist caregivers and youth in building/maintaining connection to their family and other important individuals in the youth’s life
  • Liaise with multiple professionals in the child welfare arena as needed
  • Meet requirements for timely, accurate, and thorough documentation for case files and required reporting as directed
  • Ensure notifications are provided to primary Caregiver Support Specialist and DCYF Social Services staff as directed by supervisor and contract
  • Attend and participate in staff meetings, supervision, and training as directed (including pre-service and annual training)
  • Participate in the facilitation of family training and support groups as directed
  • Provide occasional on-call services as a member of the on-call team
  • Provide coverage for team members at the direction of Caregiver Support Supervisor
  • Flex hours to accommodate family needs on an occasional and ongoing basis (ask that staff provide at a minimum of one night a week for evening appointments)
  • Collaborate with staff in other Amara programs as directed to ensure appropriate cross-program referrals and consistent service delivery.
  • Be an active participant on the Resource Care team.
  • Serve on internal and external committees as assigned.

Qualifications

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Educational Requirement: High school diploma or GED and 2 years of professional experience working with children and families in social services (e.g. daycare provider, nanny, school aide, CPA, residential program, foster parent, visit supervisor, youth development, etc.) OR Associate’s degree and one year of professional experience OR BA in Human Services or a related field and six months of documented experience directly working with children and families.

General Requirements
• 1+ year of experience providing healing-centered or trauma informed care (internships and lived experience within the child welfare system can substitute for paid-work experience)
• 1+ year of work experience in child welfare or social services (lived experience can account for up to 2 years of this requirement)
• Knowledge of child development and family systems, child welfare, child safety, and the needs of families supporting children through transitions and post-permanency
• Ability to demonstrate initiative, discretion, maturity, flexibility, problem solving, critical thinking skills, and independent judgment
• Ability to work with individuals across the spectrum of age, religion, race, culture, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, and gender expressions & identities
• Ability to work collaboratively with an outstanding professional team, DCYF, Tribal Leadership, and other community providers
• Ability to confidently navigate complex conversations with staff and families with a respectful and accessible approach
• Ability to comfortably navigate ambiguous situations
• A highly competent team player who is energized by Amara’s mission and the array of expanded services that the organization is providing
• Strong written and oral communication skills; experience communicating through verbal and written formats with a wide variety of stakeholders while balancing responsiveness, empathy, and directness
• Ability to successfully manage competing priorities, triage tasks, and effectively utilize time with colleagues and with clients
• Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed by the program and clients
• Strong familiarity with resources in King and Pierce Counties
• Must provide proof of current COVID-19 vaccination.
• First Aid/CPR/BBP Certification
• Willingness and ability to work at Amara offices and with clients in the field and travel (as needed) to other WA state counties.
• Valid Driver’s License, reliable vehicle, current auto insurance
• Must be at least 21 years of age.

Supervisory Responsibilities: This position will not directly supervise team members.

Criminal Background Check
Amara conducts background checks appropriate to the contractual requirements of the position. A previous conviction will not necessarily bar individuals from employment at Amara. Specific clearance requirements can be discussed with the Hiring Manager or Human Resources.

Salary and Benefits
This is a full-time (40 hour per week) position with a rate of pay between $28.22-$34.66 hourly, depending on experience. Generous personal leave and benefits package, including paid time off, paid sabbatical, health, vision and dental insurance, 401k with a company match, life, and disability insurance. Amara supports a hybrid work schedule with some flexibility to work from home. Case Aide roles require routine travel between our King and Pierce County offices as well as to client-based locations throughout the greater Puget Sound region. Availability to work some evening and weekend shifts is required to support client needs. Applicants must have reliable personal transportation for this role.

To Apply:
To express your interest in this position, please send your resume and a one-page cover letter indicating why this position is the right opportunity for you in Smart Recruiters. https://smrtr.io/zS9pL
Applications will be reviewed until the position is filled.

August 2026

Event Contractor

We are looking for an experienced event contractor to help us manage and host outstanding events that expand and unite our community of supporters around meeting the needs of children and families involved in, or at-risk of being involved in, the child welfare system. Deadline to submit your proposal is August 31, 2026. 

 

Beyond the paycheck

The health and well-being of our team is important to us. When you join the Amara family, we strive to ensure you’re well supported in caring for yourself and the people in your life who depend on you.

We offer a variety of insurance plans and provide substantial employer-paid contributions toward medical, dental and vision premiums. We want you at your best, which is why every year we give you three weeks of vacation, generous sick leave, and a few personal days for when life happens. We’re invested in your future, offering a 401k match of up to 3% and supporting your educational and professional development.

Wondering about part-time positions? Our benefits look a little different, but our philosophy still stands. Check out our job postings for more information.

Related Pages

About Amara

Amara is committed to positive long-term outcomes for children and families. We promote healing, racial equity and transformation of our child welfare system into a family well-being system.

About Amara

Our Approach

Since 1921, Amara has been dedicated to meeting the needs of children and families in our community who have been impacted by foster care or adoption with a focus on those who are most impacted including Black and Indigenous children and families, low-income and LGBTQIA+ communities.

Our Approach