Caseworker 2-(CYF) CPS/GPS Ongoing Bilingual

Northampton County•Bethlehem, PA

About The Position

The Caseworker 2 – Children, Youth & Families – Child Protective Services/General Protective Services (CPS/GPS) Ongoing (Bilingual – English/Spanish) position provides a full range of social services to children and families who need Children, Youth and Families assessment and/or services. The position reports directly to the County Casework Supervisor and does not supervise other employees. The caseworker engages family members, including resistant or hostile clients, and conducts family-focused assessments of children’s safety, risk, strengths, and needs. The role provides or coordinates services, prepares required records and correspondence, transports parents or children when necessary, and arranges and supervises family and sibling visits for children placed outside the home. The caseworker participates in court proceedings, meetings, and case staffing, provides scheduled coverage for emergent situations, and explains agency mandates to professionals and community members. The employee is expected to maintain Direct Service Worker certification and pursue professional growth.

Requirements

Meet one of the listed education and experience pathways: at least six months of experience as a County Caseworker 1; successful completion of the County Social Casework Intern program; or a bachelor’s degree in a specified or related social science field.
For the bachelor’s degree pathways, have at least one year of full-time professional social casework experience in a public or private social services agency.
A bachelor’s degree in a field other than the specified social sciences must be supplemented by at least 12 college credits in Sociology, Social Welfare, Psychology, Gerontology, Criminal Justice, or another related social science.
Possess and maintain a valid, current motor vehicle operator’s license and an acceptable driving record.
Have a personal vehicle available for County business.
Know current social case management principles, techniques, and methods; program interpretation and community organization; relevant social, economic, and health problems; human development and behavior; and social welfare policy and law.
Be able to work effectively with adults and children experiencing physical, mental, emotional, or economic challenges; learn and apply relevant laws, regulations, and policies; conduct individual and family interviews; and maintain effective working relationships.
Be able to plan and organize work, prepare records and reports, set priorities, learn to maintain a caseload effectively and on time, and clearly communicate verbally and in writing.
Be able to maintain confidentiality.
Be able to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English and Spanish to perform the duties of the position.

Responsibilities

Establish professional relationships with family members, including resistant, unmotivated, or hostile clients, while recognizing individual, family, and cultural values.
Conduct comprehensive, family-focused assessments with family members and others involved to evaluate child safety and risk and identify family strengths and needs.
Provide direct services to children and families or refer them to social service agencies and community resources.
Prepare documents and correspondence required by federal and state law, regulations, and County and departmental policies and procedures.
Provide transportation for parents and/or children when 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.
Schedule and present cases for agency staffing and/or a Multi-Disciplinary Team when appropriate.
Provide scheduled in-day coverage for emergent situations within the division.
Interpret agency mandates to other professionals, the community, and interested parties.
Acquire and maintain Direct Service Worker certification and pursue professional growth through seminars, conferences, and webinars.