Caseworker - Intake (Pottstown 2 Unit)

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

Job summary

Montgomery County, PA is seeking a dedicated child welfare caseworker to provide services across the child protective, placement, and permanency domains. The role involves in-home work with families, emergency responses, and coordination with legal authorities to ensure child safety and family stability.

The position requires a degree in social work or a related field, plus eligibility for required clearances and the ability to manage a caseload using county systems.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in social work or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 12 college credits in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, criminal justice, or related coursework, plus 1 year of professional social casework.
• Must be able to pass Child Abuse, Criminal History, and FBI clearances.

Responsibilities

• Professional assessment of child risk, safety and family strengths and problems in accordance with mandates and best practices.
• Emergency response, crisis intervention and in-home protective services for children at risk; coordinate emergency placements with authorities.
• Manage caseloads and records to assure child safety and promote family stability.
• Plan permanency options and petition the Court to establish options by month 15 of placement.
• Maintain case records via the automated management system and document data, reports and events.
• Proficient computer skills including Microsoft Office (Word, Outlook).
• Provide mandated family-oriented social services in compliance with federal/state laws and county policies.
• Utilize community resources to assist families and monitor progress toward goals.
• Initiate court proceedings when necessary and assist in case preparation and testimony.
• Maintain contact with provider agencies, professionals, police, physicians, and others involved.

Education

Bachelor of Social Work or related degree

12 college credits in sociology/social welfare/psychology/criminal justice or related coursework

Tools

Microsoft Office

Word

Outlook

Job description

Summary

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.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• 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.

Qualification Requirements

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.

Physical Demands

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.

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations for the interview due to a disability, please advise the interviewer of the accommodations you require well in advance of the scheduled date.

If you need help to fill out this application form or during any phase of the application, interview or employment process, please contact Human Resources or the Hiring Manager of the department.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER