Ongoing Caseworker (Truancy and Adolescent Screening and Assessment)

Montgomery County PA; Norristown (Montgomery County); On-site; USD 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Montgomery County PA is seeking a dedicated Child Welfare Caseworker to assess risk, provide in-home protective services, and manage permanency planning for children in placement. The role emphasizes family-centered practices and collaboration with legal authorities.

You will handle emergency responses, coordinate with partner agencies, and document case progress using county systems. Flexible scheduling and travel within and outside the county are expected.

Qualifications

• Six months of experience as a Caseworker Trainee or internship in child welfare.
• Bachelor of Social Work or related degree with related coursework and 1 year of professional social casework experience.
• Must obtain Child Abuse, Criminal History, and FBI Clearances.

Responsibilities

• Provide professional assessment of child risk, safety and family strengths and problems in accordance with legal mandates and best practices.
• Emergency response and crisis intervention for children at risk; coordinate emergency child placements with authorities.
• Manage caseload and records of client families receiving child welfare services; document data via the automated case management system.
• Plan permanency options for all children in placement and petition the Court to establish permanency.
• Coordinate with provider agencies, police, physicians, and other professionals involved in service provision.
• Provide mandated family oriented social services in compliance with laws and county policy.
• Monitor client progress toward service goals and objectives.
• Initiate court proceedings when necessary to protect children and assist in case preparation and testimony.
• Travel within and outside the County for visits and placements as required.
• Maintain scheduling flexibility including evenings and weekends.

Skills

Case management

Computer skills

Communication

Education

Bachelor of Social Work

Bachelor’s degree with 12 credits in sociology/psychology/related coursework

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 time lines 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 wellbeing;
• 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.