Caseworker 3 (CYF) - GPS Intake

Northampton County•Bethlehem, PA

23h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Caseworker 3 – Children, Youth & Families - General Protective Services – Intake position is an advanced professional casework position responsible for the provision of a full range of social services to families in need of general protective services (GPS) assessment. This position reports directly to the Casework Supervisor for General Protective Services - Intake. This position may involve functioning as a lead worker for professional social services staff and/or supervising or directing paraprofessionals and/or clerical staff.

Requirements

Possession of a Bachelor's degree in Sociology, Social Welfare, Psychology, Gerontology, Criminal Justice, or other related social sciences; AND At least three (3) years of professional social casework experience in a public or private social services agency.
Public or private social work is defined as professional work identifying and evaluating consumer problems and formulating, implementing, or directing an appropriate service plan. This requires in-depth interviewing to obtain comprehensive information about consumer needs, counseling, providing information about available programs, determining eligibility for program services, and negotiating on behalf of consumers with referral agencies to successfully implement appropriate services.
At least two (2) years of experience as a Caseworker 2; OR Any equivalent combination of experience and training which includes 12 college credits in Sociology, Social Welfare, Psychology, Gerontology, Criminal Justice, or other related social sciences.
Employee assigned to this title will be required to possess and maintain a valid and current motor vehicle operator’s license.
Must have an acceptable driving record.
Personal vehicle required for County business; employee is eligible for mileage reimbursement.
Knowledge of the laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures governing the administration of County Child Welfare programs.
Knowledge of current social case management principles, techniques, and methods.
Knowledge of current social, economic, and health problems and the available resources.
Knowledge of human development, individual and group behavior, and ways of working effectively with adults and children who have social, economic, emotional, or health problems.
Knowledge of the principles and methods applied in collecting, reviewing, analyzing, and interpreting case management summaries, statistical data, and reports.
Knowledge of the organization and structure of the Court, judicial, and legal systems as they relate to County Child Welfare.
Knowledge of court-related requirements for the preparation and presentation of legal documents and testimony for the Courts.
Knowledge of the development of resources, educational programs, and materials.
Knowledge of basic principles and practices of supervision and administration.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients and their families, the Courts, judges, attorneys, police, representatives from other community agencies, and agency staff.
Ability to analyze and evaluate program plans, operations, goals, and objectives and to make recommendations toward policy determination.
Ability to provide advice, technical assistance, and training to agency staff regarding the requirements, structures, and operations of the Court and legal systems.
Ability to function independently and decisively.
Ability to develop resources and educational materials and to speak before a variety of groups and organizations.
Ability to maintain confidentiality in high-pressure situations.
Ability to plan and organize work, prepare adequate records and reports, and set priorities.
Ability to plan, organize, and direct the work of others.
Ability to interpret and apply relevant laws, regulations, and policies governing agency services.
Ability to express ideas verbally and in writing.
Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English to perform the duties of this position.

Nice To Haves

Case assignments are generally more difficult and complex which require the expertise of an experienced caseworker (i.e., Caseworker 3).

Responsibilities

Provides casework services to families per GPS intake caseworker job responsibilities.
Conducts assessments to determine and identify family problems which contribute to or result in neglect.
Develops a plan to address these issues.
Assesses safety of children and arranges service provision utilizing appropriate family, school, and community resources to meet the needs of the family.
Makes appropriate referrals, concerning the need and problems of clients, with follow up to other community agencies and resources.
Provides phone counseling and on-site counseling for situations involving children and youth issues.
Prepares case summaries correspondence, Court petitions and summaries, 60 day assessment reports, referral summaries, and other records required by regulation and agency policy.
Gives testimony in Juvenile Court, Magistrate Hearings, Court of Common Pleas, Criminal Court, and any other hearings as necessary.
Refers clients to appropriate community resources.
Documents client use of services and keeps case records according to agency requirements.
Prepares case histories, letters, Court Summaries, reports, referrals, summaries for psychological and psychiatric evaluations, referrals for placements, agency staffings and conferences.
Keeps other records as required by casework plan and agency policy.
Arranges and, if necessary, supervises visits for parents with children placed outside their family home.
Participates in ten (10) day review of all assigned cases with supervisor.
Advises supervisor of emergent situations and, when appropriate, schedules and presents cases for agency staffing.
Maintains professional growth and development by attending seminars, conferences, trainings, etc.
Orients new workers to GPS Intake in accordance with Children, Youth & Families policies and procedures.
Oversees and mentors new workers in the office, field, Court, and community.
Accompanies staff in challenging case situations, both in the field and in the office, especially when safety concerns, volatile situations, and/or GPS allegations may occur.
Serves as back-up and provides coverage for other Caseworker 3 positions within all program areas.