County Caseworker 1 (Local Government) - Lackawanna County C&Y (Multiple Vacancies)

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania • Lackawanna County, PA

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The County Caseworker 1 at the Lackawanna County Office of Youth and Family Services helps protect children by responding to concerns of abuse or neglect and providing support services to families. The role involves working with families to develop goals and maintain safety, helping create safer home environments and stronger family connections. Duties include investigating reports of child abuse or neglect, offering services to prevent placement and strengthen family stability, maintaining agency records and preparing court materials, arranging placements and overseeing children living outside their homes, and participating in conferencing and teaming meetings.

This is a full-time, onsite position with a schedule of 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday, including a one-hour lunch. Telework is not available. Applicants must meet the stated experience and education requirements, be able to perform essential job functions, and pass the required background investigation. A conditional offer requires drug screening and satisfactory criminal history clearances, including Pennsylvania State Police, Pennsylvania Child Abuse History, and FBI Fingerprint clearances.

Requirements

• Meet one of the stated experience and education pathways: two years as a County Social Services Aide 3 and two years of college-level coursework including 12 credits in specified or related social sciences; a bachelor's degree including or supplemented by 12 such credits; or an equivalent combination that includes the specified credits and one year as a County Social Services Aide 3 or in a similar paraprofessional case-management position.
• Applicants within two months of graduating with qualifying degree or credits are considered to have met the educational requirements.
• Be able to perform the essential job functions.
• Pass a background investigation.
• After a conditional offer, complete drug screening and submit satisfactory criminal history reports, including PA State Police, PA Child Abuse History, and FBI Fingerprint clearances.
• Provide relevant, detailed experience and education on the application; attach college transcripts when claiming education toward the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.

Responsibilities

• Investigate reports of child abuse or neglect to identify safety concerns.
• Offer services that help families prevent placement and strengthen stability.
• Maintain accurate agency records and prepare materials for court when needed.
• Arrange placements and oversee children living outside their homes.
• Participate in conferencing and teaming meetings to help families set and achieve goals.

What This Job Offers

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