Casework 2 - CYF CPS Intake

Northampton County•Bethlehem, PA

About The Position

The Caseworker 2 – Children, Youth & Families – Child Protective Services Intake position is a full-time professional casework position responsible for providing a full range of social services to children and families in need of assessment and/or services. The position reports directly to the County Casework Supervisor or Program Specialist/Manager and does not supervise other employees. The caseworker engages family members, including clients who may be resistive, unmotivated, or hostile, while recognizing individual, family, and cultural values. The role includes conducting family-focused assessments of child safety, risk, family strengths, and needs; providing direct services or referrals; preparing required documentation; arranging transportation and family or sibling visits; and participating in court hearings and meetings to promote safe, permanent outcomes for children. The employee also maintains Direct Service Worker certification and participates in professional development. The position requires a valid, current motor vehicle operator’s license, an acceptable driving record, and a personal vehicle for County business. Mileage reimbursement is available. The office noise level is moderately quiet; work may also take place in schools, private homes, and other environments ranging from quiet to loud. This is a career service position, classified as FLSA non-exempt and eligible for overtime.

Requirements

Meet one of the stated education and experience pathways: at least six months of full-time experience as a County Caseworker 1; successful completion of the County Social Casework Intern program; or a qualifying bachelor's degree, together with at least one year of full-time professional social casework experience in a public or private social services agency.
Qualifying bachelor's degrees include Sociology, Social Welfare, Psychology, Gerontology, Criminal Justice, or another related social science; alternatively, a bachelor's degree supplemented by 12 college credits in those fields is acceptable.
Professional social casework experience involves identifying and evaluating consumer problems and formulating, implementing, or directing service plans; it includes in-depth interviewing, counseling, providing information about programs, determining service eligibility, and negotiating 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; human development and behavior; and social welfare policy and law.
Ability to work effectively with adults and children with social, economic, emotional, health, physical, or mental challenges, and to understand and accept the needs and rights of others.
Ability to learn, interpret, and apply relevant laws, regulations, and agency policies, and to conduct individual and family interviews.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, families, staff, outside agencies and institutions, and the public.
Ability to plan and organize work, prepare records and reports, set priorities, and learn to maintain a caseload effectively and in a timely manner.
Ability to plan, organize, and direct the work of others.
Ability to express ideas clearly verbally and in writing, maintain confidentiality, and communicate in English to perform the job duties.

Responsibilities

Establish professional relationships with family members, including resistive, unmotivated, or hostile clients, while recognizing and respecting individual, family, and cultural values.
Work with family members and others involved with the family to assess child safety and risk and identify family strengths and needs.
Provide direct services to children and families or refer them to social services agencies and community resources.
Prepare documents and correspondence required by federal and state laws and regulations, and County and departmental policies and procedures.
Provide transportation for parents and/or children as necessary.
Arrange and supervise family and sibling visits for children placed outside their family home.
Participate in court hearings, internal and external meetings, and contacts to promote safe and permanent outcomes for children under supervision.
Review case assessments, investigative assignments, and cases accepted for service with a supervisor as needed.
When appropriate, schedule and present cases for agency staffing and/or a Multi-Disciplinary Team.
Provide scheduled in-day coverage for emergent situations within the division.
Interpret agency mandates to professionals, the community, and other interested parties.
Acquire and maintain Direct Service Worker certification and pursue professional growth and development through seminars, conferences, and webinars.