Children and Youth County Caseworker 1

Marie-Hélène Blain Styliste; Sunbury (Northumberland County); On-site; USD 32,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A County Children and Youth Agency is seeking an entry-level professional for a social service position. The role involves providing supportive services to children and families, conducting assessments, and maintaining case documentation. Ideal candidates should have a Bachelor's degree in social sciences or equivalent experience. A valid PA Driver's License is required, and the position offers a full-time schedule that may include evening or weekend hours.

Qualifications

• Must meet minimum experience and training required for the job.
• Bachelor's degree in sociology, psychology or related fields is essential.
• Valid PA Driver's License is required.

Responsibilities

• Provide supportive services to children, youth, and families.
• Conduct interviews and home visits to assess safety and needs.
• Maintain up-to-date case documentation.
• Prepares forms, maintains case documentation, and writes letters per agency policy.
• Responds to and investigates reports during after-hours on a 24 hour call basis.

Skills

Crisis management

Effective communication

Critical thinking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in social sciences

12 college credits in sociology or psychology

Job description

Note: Applying to this posting does not consider you for an interview. You must apply to the open posting at www.employment.pa.gov and meet the required experience and training requirements to be considered.

This is an entry‑level professional social service position in a County Children and Youth Agency. Work is performed under the close supervision of a professional social service or administrative supervisor and is reviewed through individual and group conferences, assignment of professional reading, attendance at training programs, and the reading of records and reports.

Job Responsibilities

• Performs a variety of entry level social services and casework duties designed to provide supportive services to children, youth and families.
• Provides regular and frequent contacts with children referred for and/or accepted for services, their parents, and/or foster parents in order to alleviate the problems, which required the services of the agency, exercising competent judgement and adherence to best practice standards for child welfare.
• Schedules and conducts interviews, home visits and collateral meetings to assess the reasons for referral, safety of the child and attainment of service plan goals.
• Prepares necessary forms, maintains up to date case documentation, and writes letters and any other necessary paperwork as described in agency policy and procedures.
• Periodically on 24 hour call to respond to and investigate reports received after normal working hours.
• Works in close cooperation with other social service agencies, hospitals, mental health facilities, police, Courts, schools and other community resources in assisting the families in attaining service plan goals.
• Performs related work as assigned.

Requirements

ELIGIBILITY – ALL CANDIDATE(S): Must meet the minimum experience and training (METs) required for the job. The METs for this position are:

• Bachelor’s degree with or without 12 college credits in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, criminal justice, or other related social sciences; or
• Two years of experience as a County Social Services Aide 3 and two years of college level coursework including 12 college credits in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, criminal justice or other related social sciences; or
• Any equivalent combination of experience and training which includes 12 college credits in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, criminal justice or other related social sciences and 1 year experience as a County Social Services Aide 3 or in a similar position performing paraprofessional case management functions.

• State Civil Service Commission Approved Additional Special Requirements: None
• Must be a resident of Pennsylvania.
• Must be eligible for selection in accordance with Civil Service rules.

Physical Job Requirements

• Mobility/Ability: to travel between office locations, client homes, hospitals, and community sites. This may involve walking, standing, climbing stairs and/or driving.
• Sitting/Standing: Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk or computer, as well as standing or walking when conducting field visits.
• Lifting/Carrying: May require lifting or carrying files, office supplies, small equipment, a child, or an adult (typically up to 25‑150+ pounds).
• Reaching/Bending: Regularly required to reach, bend, crouch, or kneel to assist clients or handle paperwork.
• Fine Motor Skills: Frequent use of hands for typing, writing, and handling documents.

Mental And Emotional Demands

• High Stress Tolerance: Ability to manage crisis situations, interact with individuals in distress, and handle potentially volatile situations.
• Communication: Frequent verbal and written communication with clients, families, healthcare providers and legal entities.
• Decision‑Making & Problem‑Solving: Requires critical thinking to assess client needs, develop care plans, and navigate complex social services.

Work Environment Considerations

• Client Homes and Community Settings: May encounter unsanitary conditions, pets, smoke, or environmental hazards.
• Potential Safety Risks: Interactions with individuals experiencing severe mental illness, substance use disorders, or behavioral crisis.
• Flexible Schedule: May require evening, weekend, or on‑call work depending on agency requirements.

Valid PA Driver’s License is required.

Seniority level

Entry level

Employment type

Full‑time

Job function

Other