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

County of Berks•Reading, PA

4d•Onsite

About The Position

Investigates suspected physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, serious physical neglect, and alleged general neglect during the second shift, supplementing the agency’s Emergency Duty function. Work is performed under State and County regulations, policies, and procedures, with independent judgment and initiative. A County Casework Supervisor reviews work for compliance, ability, and timeliness. Caseworkers carry no more than 15 cases and assist with investigations handled by other departmental staff. The regular 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 back up the Emergency Duty caseworker during their regular shift as availability allows and as assigned by the supervisor. They must be available for court as necessary and attend staff meetings. Full-day training replaces the regular workday. Second-shift caseworkers receive the first opportunity to work an Emergency Duty shift when the second Emergency Duty caseworker is unavailable; the first-choice position rotates, beginning with the most tenured caseworker. The role provides casework, counseling, protective, and supportive services to clients and families; identifies needs and connects clients with community resources; develops and reviews service plans; documents case activity; and prepares documents and testimony for court. Physical presence in the office is required, with work also conducted at assigned field locations.

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 credits in specified or related social sciences plus one year of professional social casework experience in a public or private social service agency.
Successful interview and written sample.
Knowledge of social case management principles, techniques, and methods; social, economic, and health problems and resources; individual and group development and behavior; program interpretation and community organization; and social welfare policy and law.
Ability to work effectively with clients, including adults and children with physical, emotional, or economic challenges, and to conduct individual and family interviews.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, families, staff, outside agencies, institutions, and the public.
Ability to plan and organize work, maintain records and reports, set priorities, and manage a caseload effectively and on time.
Ability to interpret and apply relevant laws, regulations, and policies; communicate adequately orally and in writing; accept supervision; and adapt to changes in 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, serious physical neglect, and alleged general neglect during the second shift.
Supplement the agency’s Emergency Duty function and investigations conducted by other departmental staff.
Maintain a caseload of no more than 15 cases.
Gather information from clients, family members, and others to identify social, economic, emotional, health, or physical problems and service needs.
Provide casework and counseling services to clients and their families.
Provide protective and supportive services to abused or neglected children and adults and to clients in situations detrimental to their well-being or that of the community.
Participate in developing client and family service plans, assess their adequacy, and revise them as needed.
Identify community resources, refer and connect clients to services, and advocate on their behalf.
Work collaboratively 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.
Prepare documents and provide testimony in court according to agency procedure.
Interpret agency policy and document case activity.
Provide back-up for the Emergency Duty caseworker during the regular work shift when available and assigned.
Be available for court as necessary and attend staff meetings and required training.
For bilingual County Caseworker II positions, translate forms from English to Spanish and interpret client phone calls from Spanish to English.