County Caseworker 1 (Local Government) - Lackawanna County C&Y (Multiple Vacancies)

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; Dunmore (Lackawanna County); On-site; USD 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Lackawanna County Office of Youth and Family Services is seeking a County Caseworker 1 to help protect children and assist families while learning valuable skills in the field of social services.

The role focuses on responding to abuse or neglect concerns, planning safety goals, and coordinating services to support families. It includes case investigation, family support, record maintenance, and child placement, as well as teamwork with colleagues.

Qualifications

• Two years of experience as a County Social Services Aide 3 and two years of college level coursework in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, criminal justice, or related social sciences; or a bachelor’s degree with 12 relevant credits; or an equivalent combination including one year of paraprofessional case management.
• Bachelor’s degree with 12 college credits in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, or criminal justice is required as part of the educational requirements.
• Equivalency combinations including 12 credits and related paraprofessional case management experience are acceptable as alternatives.

Responsibilities

• Investigate reports of child abuse or neglect to assess safety concerns.
• Provide services to help families prevent placement and strengthen stability.
• Maintain accurate agency records and prepare materials for court when needed.
• Arrange placements and oversee children living outside their home.
• Join conferencing and teaming meetings to help families set and reach goals.

Education

Bachelor's degree with 12 credits in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, criminal justice, or related social sciences

Job description

As a County Caseworker 1 at Lackawanna County Office of Youth and Family Services, you will play an important part in protecting children. This position allows you to assist families while learning valuable skills in the field of social services. Your work will help create safer home environments and stronger connections.

Join a team that supports both your growth and the growth of the families you serve.

This position focuses on helping children and families by responding to concerns of abuse or neglect and offering support services. It involves working closely with families to plan goals and maintain safety.

As a County Caseworker 1, you will perform the following duties:

• Case Investigation: Look into reports of child abuse or neglect to understand safety concerns
• Family Support: Offer services that help families prevent placement and strengthen stability
• Record Maintenance: Keep accurate agency records and prepare materials for court when needed
• Child Placement: Arrange placements and oversee children who are living outside their home
• Team Participation: Join conferencing and teaming meetings to help families set and reach goals

Work Schedule and Additional Information

• Full-time employment.
• Work hours are 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM; Monday - Friday, with a 1-hour lunch.
• Telework: You will not have the option to telework in this position.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements

• Two years of experience as a County Social Services Aide 3 and two years of college level course work which includes 12 college credits in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, criminal justice, or other related social sciences; or
• A bachelor's degree which includes or is supplemented by successful completion of 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 one year of experience as a County Social Services Aide 3 or in a similar position performing paraprofessional case management functions.
• Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within two months of graduating with a qualifying degree/credits.

Other Requirements

• PA residency requirement is currently waived for this title.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Legal Requirements

• You must pass a background investigation.
  • Under the Law, a conditional offer of employment will require submission and approval of satisfactory criminal history reports including, but not limited to, PA State Police clearance, PA Child Abuse history clearance, and FBI Fingerprint clearance.

Veterans

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS)

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
• You must provide complete and accurate information or:
  • your score may be lower than deserved.
  • you may be disqualified.
• You may only apply/test once for this posting.
• Your results will be provided via email.