County Caseworker 2 (Local Government) - Wayne County C&Y (Multiple Vacancies)

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; Pennsylvania; On-site; USD 10,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a dedicated team making a real difference in the lives of children and families. This role involves conducting interviews, providing counseling, and managing cases to support children’s welfare. You will work closely with families to help them navigate challenges and access necessary services. With a focus on collaboration and community support, this position offers a meaningful opportunity to impact lives positively. If you are patient, organized, and passionate about social services, this is the perfect chance to contribute to a vital mission in a supportive environment.

Qualifications

• Experience as a County Caseworker or completion of a County Social Casework Intern program.
• Bachelor's degree in social welfare or related field with relevant credits.

Responsibilities

• Conduct interviews to identify barriers affecting children's welfare.
• Provide counseling services and manage a caseload of clients.
• Attend court hearings and prepare case progress reports.

Skills

Communication Skills

Organizational Skills

Judgment

Patience

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Social Welfare

12 College Credits in Related Social Sciences

Job description

Do you desire to be a part of a supportive team that makes a difference in the lives of children and their families? Do you consider yourself to be someone who is patient, organized, has sound judgment, and communicates well with all ages? Then this position at Wayne County Human Services, Children and Youth Agency, is for you!

Conduct interviews to obtain information from clients, their family members, and others to identify economic, emotional, health or physical barriers which impede children’s ability to improve and thrive. Provide information about agency programs; determine/verify eligibility for program services. Assist families in formulating plans to change behaviors, circumstances, etc. to effect a healthier and more productive lifestyle for their children. Make referrals as appropriate. Manage a caseload. Keep reports and records well organized, understandable and current.

Responsible, with supervision, to provide family services. Complete and process all procedures necessary to establish family eligibility for a wide variety of services on the basis of established policy. Responsible for the provision of counseling services to clients and members of their families to aid them in achieving a more satisfactory adjustment to specific problems or situations. Assist and plan for supportive services for clients who are in situations detrimental to their well-being or that of the community. Assist in providing protective and supportive services for abused or neglected children. Prepare social studies, case histories, and home studies. Communicate orally and in writing in a professional manner. Responsible, with supervision, to attend court hearings, prepare and/or present testimony on case progress and make recommendations to the court regarding specific cases, if asked.

Duties are not limited to desk work and may include frequent standing, climbing steps, and walking distances. Must be able to climb flights of steps in homes or apartment buildings where no elevators are present. Often works more than eight hours per day. Frequent driving both in and out of County. Some out of county, overnight travel. Required to drive County vehicle while transporting children and parents. 37.5 hours (full-time) per week, plus non-traditional and on-call hours when required. Manage multiple tasks, paying close attention to details under a constantly changing work environment which includes completion of paperwork and meeting strict deadlines. Completion of daily deadlines on paperwork and work assignments. Frequent involvement in abuse, neglect, and other situations where children are involved to determine appropriate and necessary steps needed to protect the children.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment (37.5 hours per week).
• Work hours are 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday - Friday, with a 1-hour lunch.
• Once a caseworker is trained, normal working hours may be flexed to coincide with consumer needs.
• On-call 24/7 on a rotating basis.
• Irregular hours, including evenings and weekends.

QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• Six months of experience as a County Caseworker 1; or
• Successful completion of the County Social Casework Intern program; or
• A bachelor's degree with a social welfare major; 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 social sciences and one year of professional social casework experience in a public or private social service agency; 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.
• 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.
• Hiring preference for this vacancy will be given to candidates who live within Lackawanna, Monroe, Pike, Susquehanna, or Wayne counties. If no eligible candidates who live within these counties apply for this position, candidates who reside in other counties may be considered.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Legal Requirements:

• You must pass a background investigation.
• A conditional offer of employment will require a drug screening.
• This position falls under the provisions of the Child Protective Services Law.

How to Apply:

• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
• If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.

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.employment.pa.gov/Additional%20Info/Pages/default.aspx and click the Veterans’ Preference tab or contact us at [e-mail].

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.