Caseworker 2 – Children, Youth & Families– Adolescent Services (2 Vacancies)

Northampton County•Bethlehem, PA

About The Position

The Caseworker 2 – Children, Youth & Families – Adolescent Services position is a full-time professional casework position providing a range of social services to adolescents and their families. Cases may involve protective services, emergency placement, foster care, group care placement, counseling or intervention, or youth living independently in the community. The caseload primarily includes parent-adolescent conflicts, status offenders such as truants and runaways, and adolescents needing emergency or ongoing placement. Services may also address mental health and intellectual disability needs. The position reports directly to the County Casework Supervisor or Program Specialist/Manager and does not supervise other functions. The employee must maintain a valid current motor vehicle operator’s license and an acceptable driving record. A personal vehicle is required for County business; mileage reimbursement is available. The role is designated career service and is FLSA non-exempt, eligible for overtime.

Requirements

At least six months of experience as a County Caseworker 1, or successful completion of the County Social Casework Intern program, or possession of a qualifying bachelor’s degree, and at least one year of full-time professional social casework experience in a public or private social services agency.
A qualifying degree is a bachelor’s degree in Sociology, Social Welfare, Psychology, Gerontology, Criminal Justice, or another related social science; alternatively, a bachelor’s degree that includes or is supplemented by 12 college credits in those fields.
Professional social casework experience must involve identifying and evaluating consumer problems and formulating, implementing, or directing service plans, including in-depth interviewing, counseling, program information, eligibility determinations, and coordination with referral agencies.
Possess and maintain a valid and current motor vehicle operator’s license and an acceptable driving record.
Have a personal vehicle available for County business.
Knowledge of social case management principles, techniques, and methods; program interpretation and community organization; social, economic, and health problems; individual and group development and behavior; and social welfare policy and law.
Ability to work effectively with people and support their growth, understand and accept others’ needs and rights, and work with adults and children facing physical, mental, emotional, or economic challenges.
Ability to learn, interpret, and apply laws, regulations, and policies governing agency services; conduct individual and family interviews; and identify individual and family problems.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, families, staff, outside agencies, institutions, and the public.
Ability to plan and organize work, prepare records and reports, set priorities, and maintain a caseload effectively and on time.
Ability to plan, organize, and direct the work of others; communicate clearly verbally and in writing; maintain confidentiality; and read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English.

Responsibilities

Provide intensive casework and counseling services to selected adolescents and their families, using an understanding of human behavior and specialized agency services.
Participate in conferences and meetings to diagnose problems and develop, plan, and offer treatment to youth and families.
Prepare social studies, case histories, letters, reports, and records, and maintain records required by agency policy and regulations.
Obtain information from clients, family members, and other sources to identify social, economic, or health problems, and evaluate how that information relates to youths’ behavior and emotional problems.
Make appropriate referrals to community agencies and resources and follow up on clients’ needs and problems.
Explain the program and its specialized services to professional staff, community organizations, agencies, and other interested parties.
Maintain professional growth through seminars, conferences, and review of current professional literature.