Case Work Aide

Cayuga County New York; City of Auburn (NY); On-site; USD 36,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Cayuga County Department of Social Services in Auburn, NY seeks a paraprofessional to support the delivery of services to clients. The role includes outreach, helping clients complete forms, transport to appointments, and coordinating with staff to ensure programs run smoothly.

Responsibilities involve clerical tasks, maintaining records, and assisting in everyday activities to help clients access housing, benefits, and supports within the community.

Qualifications

• Associate degree or higher in Human Services or related field.
• One year of experience involving substantial client contact in Social Services or related agency for high school graduates.
• Knowledge of client data handling and basic clerical tasks may be required.

Responsibilities

• Provides information about Department services and other agencies.
• Assists clients with forms and eligibility information.
• Assists with housing, employment, schooling, recreation, money management, child care, transportation and escort.
• Transports clients to counseling appointments and supervises visits as needed.
• Maintains tracking systems and schedules routine activities.
• Answers phones and takes messages.
• Occasional clerical tasks such as filing and data compilation.
• Reviews cases with Caseworkers to ensure clients receive appropriate services.
• Reads and processes computer forms; uses systems like WMS/CCRS/SCRR.
• Performs computer inquiries to retrieve client information.
• Completes routine paperwork to open service cases.

Skills

Community resources knowledge

F ederal/state social service laws

State/local social service programs

Interpersonal relations

Program interpretation

Oral/written instructions

Typing/PC skills

Detail-oriented

Reporting accuracy

Physical condition suitable

Education

Associate’s Degree or higher in Human Services field

High School diploma + 1 year relevant experience

Job description

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Graduation from a New York State Registered or regionally accredited college or university with an Associate’s Degree or higher in Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, Counseling, Nursing, Education or other Human Services Field, Criminal Justice; OR
• Graduation from High School or possession of a comparable diploma, and One (1) year of experience which shall have involved substantial client contact in a Social Services, Mental Health or related agency.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:

The work involves responsibility for a variety of paraprofessional functions in the Department of Social Services in support of staff in the implementation of programs and the delivery of service to clients. An incumbent provides basic outreach services such as home visits, assisting clients in obtaining personal needs, providing transportation and assisting in completing necessary forms. Duties also include performance of clerical and related office tasks. The work is performed under direct supervision. Supervision over the work of others is not a function of employees in this position. The incumbent will perform all related duties as required.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES, PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:

• Working knowledge of community resources and organizations.
• Working knowledge of federal and state social service laws.
• Working knowledge of state and local social service programs.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative and courteous relationships with clients, agency staff and the public.
• Ability to interpret department programs, goals and eligibility requirements to others.
• Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
• Ability to operate an alphanumeric keyboard such as a typewriter, word processor or personal computer at an acceptable rate of speed.
• Ability to perform close, detail work involving considerable visual effort and strain.
• Ability to prepare brief accurate reports.
• The employee’s physical condition shall be commensurate with the demands of the position.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES: (Illustrative Only)

• Provides information to individuals or groups concerning services offered by the Department, as well as other public and private agencies.
• Assists clients in completing necessary forms and in obtaining eligibility information, e.g., proof of births, deaths and marriages.
• May assists clients in areas of housing, employment, school attendance, recreation, money management child care, transportation and escort.
• Transports children and adults to and from counseling appointments, transports foster children for visits with parents and supervises visits.
• Assists in communication between agency, client and the community.
• Assists individuals in recognizing conditions contributing to social problems and in making efforts toward correcting these conditions.
• Maintains tracking system(s) and schedules various routine activities, such as annual physicals for foster parents and service plan reviews.
• Answer telephones and takes written messages.
• Does occasional clerical work such as filing, assembling material or compiling data.
• Reviews cases with Caseworkers and supervisors to ensure that clients are receiving appropriate services.
• Reads and reviews computer forms and completes input documents for various systems; i.e. WMS, CCRS, SCRR.
• Performs computer inquiries to retrieve client information.
• Completes routine paperwork to open cases for services.