Caseworker Trainee

County of Lancaster • Lancaster, PA

1d

About The Position

This is an entry-level professional social service role in the County Behavioral Health/Developmental Services Agency. Employees who successfully complete a six-month probation in this classification are promoted to the Caseworker classification. The position is assigned to a Support Coordination Unit, where the employee is commonly referred to as a support coordinator. The trainee participates in formal and informal training to learn the methods, procedures, rules, and regulations needed to provide social services and case-management support to individuals with intellectual disabilities and their families. The goal is to help individuals attain a more inclusive social, economic, emotional, and physical life while maintaining health and safety. Work is limited in scope and difficulty and performed under close supervision, with greater latitude in judgment and decision-making as knowledge and skills develop. The role also involves learning and applying problem-solving techniques and using initiative and judgment within established regulations, policies, and procedures.

Training covers the agency’s purpose, rules and regulations, client population, and services, within the three functions of support coordination: locating, coordinating, and monitoring. Trainees learn about community resources and agency-funded services through resource reviews, site visits, and observing and working with experienced casework staff. They receive instruction on agency and state policies and procedures, forms, documentation, and required databases; attend client meetings; and participate in on-the-job and other training. Trainees perform entry-level support coordination duties for children and adults with intellectual disabilities and autism, assist clients and families in addressing social, health, emotional, and economic concerns, make referrals, and begin managing a caseload of up to 35 clients. Support coordinators must complete mandatory and elective training to meet ODP requirements.

The position works collaboratively with the unit supervisor, the Directors of Support Coordination, Administrative Entity staff, other Support Coordination Units, MH/ID components, contracted service providers, and the community. Work is reviewed by a support coordinator supervisor through scheduled individual and group conferences and review of records and reports. Occasional compensatory or flex time may be requested to meet the needs of clients, family members, or service providers. The role requires work in a busy, open environment and routine use of the employee’s own transportation for job-related visits and appointments. The position has potential exposure to Hepatitis B; training and voluntary vaccination are provided.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree including or supplemented by 12 college credits in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, criminal justice, or another related social science; or an equivalent combination of experience and training that includes 12 such college credits.
• Knowledge of human development and behavior, including individuals, families, and groups.
• Knowledge of basic principles of psychology, sociology, or other social sciences.
• Ability to understand and accept the needs and rights of others and work with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Ability to learn, interpret, and apply relevant laws, regulations, and policies governing agency services.
• Ability to learn to conduct individual and team meetings and use them to identify strengths, goals, and abilities to support individuals in having an Everyday Life.
• Ability to plan and organize work, prepare records and reports, set priorities, and learn to maintain a caseload effectively and on time.
• Ability to express ideas adequately orally and in writing.
• Pass a pre-employment drug screen.
• Obtain acceptable FBI, Pennsylvania State Police Criminal History, and ChildLine clearances before employment starts; clearances may not be more than one year old at the time of employment.
• Valid driver’s license and acceptable driving history under County policy.
• Ability to work in a busy, open environment and routinely provide own transportation to job-related appointments, accessing locations with reasonable accommodations.

Responsibilities

• Participate in formal and informal training on agency operations, client population, services, policies, procedures, and support coordination.
• Learn about community resources and agency-funded services through resource reviews, site visits, and observation or collaboration with higher-level casework staff.
• Learn and apply documentation techniques, required forms, databases, and applicable agency and state policies and procedures.
• Attend and participate in client meetings and other training experiences.
• Perform entry-level social service and support coordination duties for children and adults with intellectual disabilities and autism.
• Assist clients and families in developing their ability to address social, health, emotional, and economic problems.
• Refer clients to community agencies and resources to meet their needs.
• Begin managing a caseload of up to 35 clients, including maintaining required contact and monitoring levels.
• Complete mandatory and elective training required to meet ODP training requirements.
• Collaborate with the unit supervisor, Directors of Support Coordination, Administrative Entity staff, other Support Coordination Units, MH/ID components, contracted providers, and the community.
• Complete other duties as assigned by the Supervisor, Directors, and Administrative Entity staff.
• Use own transportation to travel to consumers’ homes, meetings, outreach visits, and other job-related appointments.

Benefits

• Comprehensive employee benefits are offered; specific benefits are not listed in the posting.
• Training and voluntary Hepatitis B vaccination are provided.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level