County Caseworker II - 2nd Shift (Children & Youth Services)

County of Berks•Reading, PA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The County Caseworker II investigates suspected child abuse—including physical, sexual, and emotional abuse and serious physical neglect—as well as reports of alleged general neglect during the second shift. The role supplements the agency’s Emergency Duty function and may provide backup for the Emergency Duty caseworker during regular work hours as availability allows and as assigned by a supervisor. Work follows State and County regulations, policies, and procedures, with independent judgment and initiative expected. A County Casework Supervisor reviews work for compliance, timeframes, and caseworker performance. Caseworkers carry a caseload of no more than 15 cases and supplement investigations handled by other departmental staff. The second-shift schedule is 3 PM to 12 AM, rotating between weeknights and on-call weekends. On-call coverage is defined as Saturday 8 AM through Sunday 10 PM. Caseworkers may be required to attend court and staff meetings. Full-day training takes the place of the regular workday. If the second Emergency Duty caseworker is unavailable, second-shift caseworkers receive the first opportunity to work an Emergency Duty shift, with first-choice rotation beginning with the most tenured caseworker. The position obtains information from clients, families, and others; provides casework, counseling, protective, and supportive services; participates in creating and reviewing service plans; connects clients with community resources; collaborates with agencies and institutions; documents case activity; and prepares court documents and testimony. Bilingual County Caseworker II employees also translate forms from English to Spanish and interpret client phone calls from Spanish to English. The position requires physical presence in the office, with work also taking place at assigned field locations. Occasional light lifting under 40 pounds is required.

Requirements

Meet one of the listed education and experience pathways: one year as a County Caseworker I with a satisfactory PER, supervisory recommendation, and no disciplinary measures; successful completion of the County Social Casework Intern Program with supervisory approval, a satisfactory PER, and no disciplinary measures; a bachelor’s degree with a social welfare major; or a bachelor’s degree including or supplemented by 12 college credits in specified or related social sciences and one year of professional social casework experience at a public or private social service agency.
Complete a successful interview and written sample.
Knowledge of current social case management principles, techniques, and methods.
Knowledge of current social, economic, and health problems and resources, and their impact on human growth and development.
Knowledge of individual and group development and behavior and ways to work effectively with adults and children experiencing social, economic, emotional, or health problems.
Knowledge of basic program interpretation and community organization principles and methods.
Knowledge of social welfare policy and law related to agency function and purpose.
Ability to work effectively with people and help them use their potential constructively in addressing specific problems.
Ability to understand and accept the needs and rights of others and work with adults and children who are physically challenged, emotionally troubled, or economically disadvantaged.
Ability to conduct individual and family interviews and use them to identify problems.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, families, staff, outside agencies and institutions, and the public.
Ability to plan and organize work, prepare records and reports, set priorities, and maintain a caseload effectively and on time.
Ability to interpret and apply laws, regulations, and policies governing agency services.
Ability to express ideas adequately orally and in writing.
Ability to accept supervision and direction and adjust to changes in daily assignments on short notice.
Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel.
Ability to handle stress.
Physical presence in the office is required.
Valid Pennsylvania driver’s license, good driving record, a car available for daily use in good working condition, and full insurance.

Responsibilities

Investigate suspected abuse and neglect reports during second shift and supplement investigations conducted by other departmental staff.
Carry a caseload of no more than 15 cases and supplement the agency’s Emergency Duty function.
Provide backup for the Emergency Duty caseworker during regular work shifts as availability allows and as assigned by the supervisor.
Obtain information from clients, family members, and others to identify social, economic, emotional, health, or physical problems and help clients access services.
Provide casework and counseling to clients and family members to help them adjust to their problems or situations.
Provide protective and supportive services for abused or neglected children and adults, and for clients in situations detrimental to their well-being or the community, including during treatment or hospitalization.
Prepare documents and provide testimony in court according to agency procedure; be available for court as necessary.
Participate in developing client and family service plans, continually assess their adequacy, and revise them when necessary.
Identify, refer, and link clients to appropriate community resources and advocate on their behalf.
Collaborate with social agencies, hospitals, clinics, courts, and other community resources.
Teach home and budget management, childcare, and parenting skills; assist with housing, employment, recreation, and living arrangements as required.
Interpret agency policy.
Attend staff meetings and document case activity.
For bilingual County Caseworker II employees, translate forms from English to Spanish and interpret client phone calls from Spanish to English.
Work rotating second-shift weeknights and on-call weekends, and take the first opportunity to cover an Emergency Duty shift if the second Emergency Duty caseworker is unavailable, according to the stated rotation.