Caseworker Trainee

Lancaster County • Lancaster, PA

3d

About The Position

This is an entry-level professional social service position in the County Behavioral Health/Developmental Services Agency. The trainee is assigned to a Support Coordination Unit and is commonly referred to as a support coordinator. After successfully completing a six-month probationary period, employees in this classification are promoted to Caseworker.

The trainee participates in agency training to learn the methods, procedures, rules, and regulations involved in providing social services and case-management support to individuals with intellectual disabilities and their families. The work aims to help people pursue a more inclusive social, economic, emotional, and physical life while maintaining health and safety. Duties are initially limited in scope and performed under close supervision; the employee is given greater latitude as knowledge and skills develop. Work follows established regulations, policies, and procedures and includes learning and applying problem-solving techniques.

The position is based in a busy, open work environment and requires routinely providing one's own transportation to consumer homes, meetings, outreach visits, and other work-related appointments. The role has potential exposure to Hepatitis B; training and voluntary vaccination are provided. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform essential functions. Starting compensation is $42,841.50 annually. Lancaster County states that it offers comprehensive employee benefits; specific benefits are not listed in the posting.

Requirements

• A bachelor's degree that includes or is supplemented by 12 college credits in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, criminal justice, or other related social sciences; or an equivalent combination of experience and training that includes those 12 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 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 in support of individuals' 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 starting employment; 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 and open environment and access work-related locations, with reasonable accommodations where applicable.

Responsibilities

• Participate in formal and informal training on agency purposes, rules, regulations, client population characteristics, and services, within the functions of locating, coordinating, and monitoring support coordination.
• Learn about community resources and agency-funded services by reviewing resources, attending site visits, and working with and observing higher-level casework staff.
• Learn agency and state policies and procedures, complete applicable forms, and use proper documentation techniques and required databases.
• Attend and participate in client meetings and job-related learning experiences and training programs.
• 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 potential 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, maintaining required contact and monitoring levels.
• Complete mandatory and elective training 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 service providers, and the community.
• Perform other duties specified by the supervisor, directors, and Administrative Entity staff.
• Routinely provide own transportation to consumer homes, meetings, outreach visits, and other job-related appointments.

Benefits

• The County states that it offers comprehensive employee benefits; specific benefits are not detailed in the posting.
• Training and voluntary Hepatitis B vaccination are provided.

What This Job Offers

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