Youth Service Worker (Continuous - Statewide)

Office of Shared Administration (WV); Charleston (WV); Hybrid; USD 36,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Office of Shared Administration (WV) in Charleston, WV seeks a Youth Service Worker to assess and manage cases involving family preservation for youth with behavioral concerns. Travel and on-call hours are required as part of the role, with in-house training and ongoing support provided.

The position requires a Bachelor's degree and a valid WV driver’s license, with opportunities to collaborate across juvenile court, foster care, and social services while building case plans and assisting

Job description

Make a difference in the lives of West Virginia’s youth—become a Youth Service Worker and help build stronger families and brighter futures!

Youth Service Workers manage and assess cases involving family preservation when youth are exhibiting mental, emotional, or behavioral concerns that place themselves and others at risk. This position is critical to the health and well-being of West Virginia's youth population. Upon completing an in-house training program, these positions involve performing complex social casework that spans multiple programmatic areas, including child protective services, foster care, and legal guardianship. Due to the needs of this position, travel is required and may include being on-call during non-traditional hours. Ongoing training is provided, as is access to support services for the worker. This position is eligible for overtime pay.

Applicants must possess a valid WV driver’s license and reliable transportation. Applicants also must have strong communication skills, both oral and written, and maintain detailed case records and extensive documentation. Overtime hours and frequent travel may be required. Successful completion of a background check is required for employment.

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Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:

• Prepare social assessments.
• Interact with a variety of professionals in the area of social work, mental health, developmental disabilities, education, juvenile delinquency, and counseling to assess client’s needs to provide appropriate services.
• Develop client case plans to accomplish habilitation and rehabilitation of the client and to provide social services to assist in attaining social, educational and vocational goals.
• Work within the court system for juvenile delinquency and status offense by preparing social assessments.
• Locate services for clients, which may include out-of-home care, such as foster care, emergency shelter, residential mental health treatment or transitional living.
• Counsel clients and families in achieving the goals of case plans.
• Counsel clients to correct delinquent and socially unacceptable behavior; prepare case plans, monitor the progress of clients, including those under the court’s supervision.
• Speak before educational and community organizations and groups regarding services available and develop community resources.
• Write reports on case findings and summaries of client social and financial circumstances.

As a YSW Worker, you have the opportunity to work in various districts across the state, including:

• Berkeley/Jefferson Counties
• Boone and Lincoln Counties
• Braxton, Clay, Gilmer, and Webster Counties
• Brooke, Hancock, and Ohio Counties
• Cabell County
• Calhoun, Jackson, and Roane Counties
• Fayette and Nicholas Counties
• Grant, Mineral, Tucker, Morgan, Hampshire, Hardy, and Pendleton Counties
• Greenbrier, Pocahontas, Monroe, and Summers Counties
• Harrison County
• Kanawha County
• Lewis, Upshur, Doddridge, Pleasants, and Ritchie Counties
• Logan and Mingo Counties
• Marion County
• Marshall, Tyler, and Wetzel Counties
• Mason and Putnam Counties
• McDowell and Wyoming Counties
• Mercer County
• Monongalia County
• Raleigh County
• Randolph County
• Preston, Barbour, and Taylor Counties
• Wayne County
• Wirt and Wood Counties

You can choose to work in any of these districts based on availability and preference.

Education:

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.

Licensure/Certifications:

None.

Experience:

None.

Special Requirements:

Valid driver’s license. Accessibility to a phone.

Note:

Applicants hired into this classification must obtain licensure as a Social Worker from the West Virginia Board of Social Work within a timeframe established by the appointing agency. Until licensure is obtained, they may not perform duties that require a licensed social worker under state law or Board regulation.

The Bureau for Social Services champions the security, permanence, and welfare of children and vulnerable adults, empowering individuals and strengthening families. Formerly the Bureau for Children and Families, the Bureau for Social Services operates under the West Virginia Department of Human Services, serving children, adolescents, and vulnerable adults facing abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation. Equipped with extensive training to handle delicate situations with compassion and dignity, these workers contribute to the advancement of a vibrant and healthy West Virginia by facilitating access to crucial healthcare, essential social services and benefits, and fostering safe, supportive, and healthy environments. Through this hard work, at risk populations can begin to thrive within the community.

This is a continuous job posting, meaning we are actively gathering applications for future vacancies. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis, and qualified candidates will be contacted as positions become available. Please note that there may be a delay before you are contacted regarding your application. We appreciate your patience and thank you for your interest in joining our team.