Casework Aide

Otsego County; Village of Cooperstown (NY); On-site; USD 38,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

Otsego County Department of Social Services is seeking a paraprofessional to provide administrative support to aid caseworkers in serving clients. The role involves direct client contact to address emergencies and social needs, plus clerical tasks supporting case processing.

The position requires strong communication, organization, and ability to use a computer, with duties under close supervision and no staff supervision responsibility.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED plus one year of full-time or part-time experience with the public or in social/human services support.
• Valid New York State driver's license with acceptable driving record is required at appointment and maintained during employment.
• Applicants may be subject to background investigations, including fingerprint check.

Responsibilities

• Assist clients with completing paperwork for new services (public assistance, medical assistance, food stamps, HEAP, etc.).
• Coordinate and supervise visitations between parents and children per court orders.
• Assist clients with housing needs and accompany them to view potential housing.
• Document activities in required case note formats.
• Assist clerical staff and caseworkers with filing and telephone coverage.
• Help preventive services clients manage budgets and finances.

Skills

Communication skills

Record keeping

PC/Computer use

Oral and written communication

Organization

Attention to detail

Judgment and discretion

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Department of Social Services

EOE

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS

This is a paraprofessional position responsible for providing administrative support services to assist caseworkers. Individuals of this class assist the professional staff in helping the client group by direct and personal contact to meet emergencies and cope with stress situations, illness, or economic and social problems. The duties may also involve computer-related clerical functions that assist the professional staff in processing case records. Work is performed under direct and close supervision from caseworkers and other senior staff. Supervision of other staff is not a responsibility of this position. Does related work as required.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES

• Assist clients with completing their paperwork for new services such as public assistance, medical assistance, food stamps, heap or preventative services;
• Coordinate and supervise visitations between parents and children, including contacting appropriate parties when there is a change in the court order regarding visitation;
• Assist clients with housing needs as a liaison between client and caseworker by assisting the client with housing searches or accompanying clients to look at potential housing;
• Documentation of activities in required case note format;
• Assist clerical staff and caseworkers with filing and telephone coverage;
• Assist preventive services clients with following a budget and managing their finances;
• Does related work as required.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Ability to establish effective working relationships with clients, children and co-workers; ability to operate a personal computer; ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing; ability to organize and maintain accurate records and files; ability to follow oral and written directions; ability to aid clients with completion of required forms; ability to assist clients to meet their needs; ability to compile simple reports; maturity; tact; sensitivity; good judgment.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Graduation from high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma and one (1) year of full-time experience or part-time equivalent working with the public or a position supporting social services or human services programs in a public or private agency.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

A valid New York State driver's license and acceptable driving record is required at time of appointment and must be maintained during employment; or must be able to satisfy the travel requirements of the position throughout employment.

Applicants may be required to undergo a Local, State, and/or national criminal history background investigation, which will include a fingerprint check, to determine suitability for appointment. Failure to meet the standards for the background investigation may result in disqualification.

NOTE

Successful completion of coursework at a regionally accredited college or university, or one accredited by the New York State Board of Regents to grant degrees, may be substituted for the required experience with three (3) semester credit hours of related coursework as indicated above being equivalent to three (3) months of experience up to one year. If your degree was awarded by an educational institution outside the United States and its territories, you must provide independent verification of equivalency. A list of acceptable companies who provide this service can be found on the internet at http://www.cs.ny.gov/jobseeker/degrees.cfm. You must pay the required evaluation fee.

CLASSIFICATION

Competitive