County Caseworker II - Emergency Duty (Children & Youth Services)

County of Berks • Reading, PA

8d • Onsite

About The Position

The County Caseworker II works in Emergency Duty (ED) for Children & Youth Services, providing agency coverage outside regular business hours: 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. on weekdays, and during holidays and weekends. Emergency Duty is an essential function, and the caseworker is considered essential personnel. The role requires physical presence in the office and use of personal transportation; related expenses are reimbursed according to agency policy. During work shifts, a full-time Emergency Duty caseworker must reside within 30 miles of the County Services Center, with an exception for employees hired before June 6, 1996.

The position responds to after-hours child protective services referrals, including investigations, emergency placements, and crisis intervention. Work is assigned through County Communications Center operators, the Child Welfare Information System (CWIS), or an on-call or unit supervisor. Emergency Duty caseworkers collaboratively ensure continuous coverage of communications and CWIS activity. Supervisory support for personnel and scheduling matters is provided by the Second Shift/E.D. Unit Supervisor; case-specific supervision is provided by regular unit supervisors on a rotational basis. Child abuse and neglect investigations must follow the Child Protective Services Law and agency policy and procedures. All abuse calls require supervisory consultation, and required activity reports and paperwork must be completed by 8:00 a.m. the next day.

The role may require daytime training, monthly staff meetings, and court testimony, as needed or assigned, accommodated through a flex schedule or overtime. Caseworkers have access to agency files and facilities to perform their work. Bilingual County Caseworker II employees also translate forms from English to Spanish and interpret client phone calls from Spanish to English. Other related tasks may be assigned.

Requirements

• Meet one of the stated 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 in a public or private social service agency.
• Successfully complete an interview and written sample.
• Knowledge of current social case management principles, techniques, and methods.
• Knowledge of social, economic, and health problems and resources, and their effects on people's growth and development.
• Knowledge of individual and group development and behavior and effective ways of working with adults and children facing social, economic, emotional, or health problems.
• Knowledge of basic program interpretation and community organization principles and methods.
• Knowledge of social welfare policy and law relevant to agency functions and purposes.
• Ability to work effectively with people and support their constructive use of potential in addressing problems.
• Ability to understand and accept others' needs and rights 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 relevant laws, regulations, and policies governing agency services.
• Ability to express ideas adequately orally and in writing.
• Ability to accept direction and supervision and adapt 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, and a car available for daily use that is in good working condition and fully insured.
• Use of personal transportation is required; expenses are reimbursed according to current agency policy.
• Full-time Emergency Duty caseworkers must reside within 30 miles of the County Services Center during work shifts, except employees hired prior to June 6, 1996.

Responsibilities

• Respond to after-hours referrals, including CPS investigations, emergency placements, and crisis intervention.
• Conduct child abuse and neglect investigations in accordance with the Child Protective Services Law and agency policy and procedures, and take required actions to protect children from abuse, serious neglect, or imminent harm.
• Consult with a supervisor on all Child Protective Services abuse calls.
• Collaborate with other Emergency Duty caseworkers to respond to the Communications Center and monitor CWIS activity, ensuring coverage of each function 24/7.
• Receive and act on work assignments from Communications Center operators, CWIS, the On-call Supervisor, or the Second Shift/E.D. Unit Supervisor.
• Complete required activity reporting and paperwork by 8:00 a.m. the following day in the manner prescribed by the agency.
• Participate in daytime training, monthly staff meetings, and court testimony as necessary or assigned.
• For bilingual County Caseworker II employees, translate forms from English to Spanish and interpret client phone calls from Spanish to English.
• Perform related tasks as assigned.

What This Job Offers

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