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

County of Berks•Reading, PA

9d•Onsite

About The Position

The County Caseworker II works on the Emergency Duty (ED) team for Children & Youth Services, providing agency coverage outside regular business hours: 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. on weekdays, and all holidays and weekends. Emergency Duty is an essential function, and the caseworker is considered essential personnel. The role responds to after-hours referrals, including child protective services investigations, emergency placements, and crisis intervention. The position requires physical presence in the office and work at assigned field locations. Personal transportation is required, with expenses reimbursed according to agency policy. During work shifts, full-time Emergency Duty caseworkers must reside within 30 miles of the County Services Center, except employees hired before June 6, 1996. The caseworker coordinates with supervisors and other Emergency Duty staff, responds to communications and CWIS activity, conducts investigations pursuant to the Child Protective Services Law and agency policies, completes required reporting by 8:00 a.m. the following day, and participates in training, staff meetings, and court testimony when required. Bilingual County Caseworker II employees also translate forms from English to Spanish and interpret client phone calls from Spanish to English. The position description is a guideline and may be changed where appropriate; it is not an employment contract.

Requirements

Meet one of the following qualification paths: one year of experience as a County Caseworker I, a satisfactory PER, supervisory recommendation, and no disciplinary measures; successful completion of the County Social Casework Intern Program, 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.
Successful interview and written sample.
Knowledge of current 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 related to agency functions.
Ability to work effectively with people, understand and accept others’ needs and rights, and work with adults and children facing physical, emotional, or economic challenges.
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, accept direction and supervision, and adapt to short-notice changes in daily assignments.
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, and a vehicle 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, unless hired before June 6, 1996.
Occasional light lifting of under 40 pounds.

Responsibilities

Respond to after-hours referrals, including CPS investigations, emergency placements, and crisis intervention.
Work under the Second Shift/E.D. Unit Supervisor for performance supervision, personnel matters, and coordination of leave and training; receive case-specific supervision from regular unit supervisors on a rotational basis.
Receive work assignments from County Communications Center operators, through CWIS, or from the On-call Supervisor or Second Shift/E.D. Unit Supervisor.
Collaborate with other Emergency Duty caseworkers to cover responses to the Communications Center and monitoring of CWIS activity 24/7; supervisors assign coverage if staff cannot agree.
Conduct child abuse and neglect investigations in accordance with the Child Protective Services Law and agency policy and procedures, and take action to protect children from abuse, serious neglect, or imminent harm.
Consult a supervisor on all Child Protective Services abuse calls.
Report activities and complete required paperwork by 8:00 a.m. the next day in the manner prescribed by the agency.
Participate in daytime training, monthly staff meetings, and court testimony as necessary or assigned; these commitments are accommodated with a flex schedule or overtime.
Use agency files and facilities, directly or through automated systems, to facilitate work.
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.