Caseworker- CYS

SOMERSET COUNTY GOVERNMENT

JOB DESCRIPTION

POSITION: CYS County Caseworker I (Multiple positions available) (AFSCME UNION)

SCHEDULE: Full-Time | Monday–Friday,
8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

RATE OF PAY: $34,000.00 annually

JOB SUMMARY: This is entry level professional social service work in Somerset County’s Children and Youth Services Agency. Employees in this class participate in formal and informal training programs which provide knowledge of the methods, procedures, rules and regulations necessary to perform social service and case management supportive services to children, youth, and families.

Caseworker I employees support child and family well‐being through supervised casework activities such as interviewing families, assessing safety and service needs, and helping develop service plans. They provide basic counseling and protective services, make referrals to community resources, and maintain accurate case records and documentation. Work may include home visits, participation in court-related tasks with supervision, collaboration with community partners, and assisting children and families from diverse backgrounds, including those facing developmental, emotional, or economic challenges. Work is performed under the supervision of a casework supervisor and is reviewed through individual and group conferences, assignment of professional reading, attendance at training programs, and the reading of records and reports.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF JOB:

·         Participates in formal and informal training programs, which provide basic knowledge relative to Agency purpose, services provided, client population characteristics, and applicable laws, methods, procedures, rules and regulations governing the operation of the Agency.

·         Learns about the network of available community resources by reviewing resource files, site visits, and working with and observing higher-level Caseworker staff.

·         The ultimate goal in all cases is the resolution of the presenting problems and maintaining the family unit.  If this is not possible, the Caseworker must act expeditiously to ensure permanency for the child.

·         The Caseworker is responsible to make at least monthly contact with the child and family service providers.

·         Receives instruction regarding the reason for and proper completion of applicable forms and paperwork.

·         Performs a variety of social services and case management duties designed to provide supportive services to children, youth and families.

·         Assists clients and their families in developing and using their own potential for more adequately resolving their social, health, emotional and economic problems.

·         Provides or assists in the provision of social services, including placement of children in foster, kinship, or other group home care, when necessary.

·         Guides clients in home and budget management, housing, child care and parenting skills, employment, recreation and living arrangements.

·         Prepares and provides testimony and related documents for Court under supervision.

·         Makes referrals to other public and private social services and community agencies and resources to meet client needs; assists clients and their families in understanding and utilizing these resources.

·         Attends and participates in case reviews and supervisory conferences and is exposed to a variety of learning experiences, including formal and on-the-job training programs, designed to develop professional and technical skills.

·         Documents activities and services using designated Agency methods and procedures, including social service summaries, correspondence and reports.

·         Caseworker I will attend the series of  “Foundations” training (120 hours) through the Child Welfare Training Program.  These trainings may require overnight/out-of-town travel.  The Caseworker 1 must have at least twenty (20) hours of training per year.

·         Caseworker I will attend general staffing, departmental staffing, program staffing, individual staffing and any other scheduled meetings.

·         The Caseworker I will be required to be in the rotation schedule for 24-hour on-call coverage for child abuse and/or neglect.

·         The Caseworker I may be assigned other duties as deemed appropriate by the Casework Supervisor.

·         To function as a “team player” and promote teamwork.

·         In the event a unit within Children and Youth Services is short staffed for a Caseworker I or Caseworker II and assistance is needed, a Caseworker I or Caseworker II may be transferred to that department.

·         Will perform duties that are specific to the individual department to which Caseworker I is assigned.

·         Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES:

·         Knowledge of:

o   The basic principles of economics, sociology, psychology, and other social sciences.

o   Current social, economic, and health problems and their impact on the growth and development of people.

o   Human development and behavior including the individual, family, and group.

·         Ability to:

o   Understand and accept the needs and rights of others and to work with adults and children who are physically challenged, intellectually disabled, emotionally troubled, and economically disadvantaged.

o   Learn, interpret, and apply relevant laws, regulations, and policies governing agency services.

o   Learn how to conduct individual and family interviews and to use them to identify individual and family problems.

o   Learn how to effectively interact with individuals, families, and as a member of a treatment team.

o   Plan and organize work, prepare adequate records and reports, set priorities, and learn to maintain a caseload in an effective and timely manner.

o   Adequately express ideas orally and in writing.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE & TRAINING REQUIREMENTS:

·         Two (2) years of experience as a County Social Services Aide 3 AND two years of college coursework including 12 credits in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, criminal justice, or related social sciences; OR

·         A bachelor's degree that includes or is supplemented by 12 college credits in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, criminal justice, or related social sciences; OR

·         Any equivalent combination of experience and training that includes 12 qualifying college credits and one (1) year of experience as a County Social Services Aide 3 or similar paraprofessional case management role.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

·         PA residency requirement is currently waived for this title.

·         You must be able to perform essential job functions.

·         You must hold a valid driver’s license.

LEGAL REQUIREMENTS:

·         You must pass a background investigation.

·         A conditional offer of employment will require a drug screening.

·         This position falls under the provisions of the Child Protective Services Law.

o   Under the Law, a conditional offer of employment will require submission and approval of satisfactory criminal history reports including, but not limited to, PA State Police clearance, PA Child Abuse history clearance, and FBI Fingerprint clearance.