Caseworker - Intake (Pottstown 2 Unit)

Montgomery County Pennsylvania; Pottstown (Montgomery County); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Montgomery County Pennsylvania is seeking a caseworker to provide child protective, placement and permanency services. The role centers on family-focused services, often conducted in home settings, with regional coverage and occasional travel beyond the county.

You will handle risk assessments, emergency responses, case management, permanency planning, and collaboration with courts and service providers to ensure child safety and timely permanency outcomes.

Qualifications

• Six months of experience as a Caseworker Trainee or a CWEB internship within 60 days before graduation or after graduation.
• Bachelor of Social Work or a bachelor’s degree with 12 credits in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, criminal justice, or related coursework.
• 1 year of professional social casework experience in public or private social services.

Responsibilities

• Provide professional assessment of child risk, safety and family strengths and problems according to mandates and best practices.
• Deliver emergency response, crisis intervention and in-home protective services for at-risk children and coordinate placements with authorities.
• Manage caseloads and case records to document data, reports, actions, and events via the automated case management system.
• Plan permanency options for children in placement and petition the Court to establish permanency no later than 15 months.
• Maintain client contact with families, providers, police, physicians, and other professionals involved in service provision.
• Initiate court proceedings when necessary to protect children and assist in case preparation and testimony.

Skills

Case management

Communication

Computer skills

Education

Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) or related degree

Course work in sociology/psychology/criminial justice (12 credits)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Outlook

Job description

Employee is a member of a casework unit and reports to a unit supervisor. Position is responsible for provision of child protective, child placement and/or child permanency casework services. Services are family-focused and usually delivered in biological or foster/adoptive family home. Service area is divided regionally, however, some travel throughout the County is expected and out-of-County trips are necessary on occasion.

• Professional assessment of child risk, safety and family strengths and problems in accordance with legal mandates and best practices.
• Emergency response, crisis intervention and provision of in-home protective services for children at risk, and coordination of emergency child placements with legal authorities, provision of child placement and permanency services.
• Management of caseload and case records of client families receiving child welfare services; assuring child safety and promoting family stability.
• Plans concurrently for permanency options for all children in placement and also petitions the Court to establish a permanency option no later than the 15th month of placement. Delivers intensive reunification services to meet timelines established by the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997.
• Manages and maintains a caseload of families and child(ren) and related records to document data, reports, actions, events, etc. via the automated case management system.
• Must be proficient in computer skills and use including Microsoft Office, Word, Outlook, etc.
• Provide mandated family oriented social services in compliance with Federal and State laws, Department of Human Service regulations and County policy.
• Utilization of community resources whenever possible to assist client families.
• Monitor client progress toward service goals and objectives.
• Initiate court proceedings when necessary to protect child(ren), assisting in case preparation and testimony in court.
• Ongoing contact with provider agencies and other professionals, police, physicians, etc., involved in service provision with client families.
• Other related duties as assigned.

Six months of experience as a Caseworker Trainee; OR a CWEB (Child Welfare Education for Baccalaureate) Program Casework Intern within 60 days prior to graduation or after graduation and upon successful completion of the internship period; OR a bachelor of social work degree;OR a bachelor’s degree which includes, or is supplemented by 12 college credits in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, criminal justice, or other related coursework, and 1 year of professional social casework experience in a public or private social services agency.

• This position is subject to mandates requiring Child Abuse, Criminal History, and FBI Clearances for employment.
• Pennsylvania residency is not a requirement for this position.

• Promotions are based on meritorious service and seniority. Meritorious service is defined as the absence of any discipline during the 12 months preceding the closing date of this posting, and the last regular or introductory evaluation is higher than fair. Seniority is defined as a minimum of 6 months of service in the next lower class as of the closing date of the posting.
• Promotion is not subject to provisions of a collective bargaining agreement.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to:

• Sit, stand, walk, stoop or kneel and climb stairs.
• Talk, hear and see to assess and communicate.
• Use hands to handle or feel objects, tools or control and reach with hands or arms.
• Must transport client children and families as needed.
• Complete visits within County, out of County and out of State home and placement visits in accordance with regulatory requirements.

• Have scheduling flexibility to work before or after regular work hours, including occasional evenings and weekends.

• Apply decision making techniques and make sound judgment related to child safety and well-being.
• Complete required documentation of casework duties.
• Lift approximately 30 pounds 5% of the time including infants, children, car seats, case records and a child’s belongings.

EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Must have automobile in good working condition with Pennsylvania driver’s license and adequate insurance coverage.

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