Ongoing Caseworker (Truancy and Adolescent Screening and Assessment)

Montgomery County•Norristown, PA

12d

About The Position

The Ongoing Caseworker is a member of a casework unit and reports to a unit supervisor. The position provides child protective, child placement, and/or child permanency casework services. Services are family-focused and usually delivered in biological or foster/adoptive family homes. The service area is divided regionally, but travel throughout the County is expected, with occasional out-of-County trips and visits outside the State. The Caseworker assesses child risk, safety, family strengths, and problems; provides emergency response, crisis intervention, and in-home protective services; coordinates emergency placements; and delivers placement, permanency, and intensive reunification services. The position manages a caseload and maintains case records through an automated case management system, monitors progress toward service goals, uses community resources, and works with families, provider agencies, and other professionals. The Caseworker may initiate court proceedings, prepare cases, and testify in court. Services must comply with applicable Federal and State laws, Department of Human Service regulations, and County policy. The position requires scheduling flexibility to work before or after regular hours, including occasional evenings and weekends. The employee must have an automobile in good working condition, a Pennsylvania driver’s license, and adequate insurance coverage. Pennsylvania residency is not required. Employment is subject to Child Abuse, Criminal History, and FBI clearance requirements.

Requirements

Six months of experience as a Caseworker Trainee; OR a CWEB (Child Welfare Education for Baccalaureate) Program Casework Intern within 60 days prior to graduation or after graduation and successful completion of the internship period; OR a bachelor of social work degree; OR a bachelor’s degree that includes or is supplemented by 12 college credits in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, criminal justice, or other related coursework, and one year of professional social casework experience in a public or private social services agency.
Proficiency with computers and Microsoft Office, including Word and Outlook.
A working automobile, Pennsylvania driver’s license, and adequate insurance coverage.
Ability to meet Child Abuse, Criminal History, and FBI clearance mandates.
Scheduling flexibility to work before or after regular work hours, including occasional evenings and weekends.
Ability to travel for visits within the County, out of the County, and out of State.
Ability to perform the stated physical duties, including lifting approximately 30 pounds 5% of the time.

Responsibilities

Assess child risk, safety, family strengths, and problems in accordance with legal mandates and best practices.
Respond to emergencies, provide crisis intervention and in-home protective services, and coordinate emergency child placements with legal authorities.
Provide child placement and permanency services.
Manage a caseload of families and children and maintain case records documenting data, reports, actions, and events in the automated case management system.
Plan concurrently for permanency options for children in placement and petition the Court to establish a permanency option no later than the 15th month of placement.
Deliver intensive reunification services within timelines established by the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997.
Provide mandated family-oriented social services in compliance with Federal and State laws, Department of Human Service regulations, and County policy.
Use community resources to assist client families whenever possible.
Monitor client progress toward service goals and objectives.
Initiate court proceedings when necessary to protect children, assist with case preparation, and testify in court.
Maintain ongoing contact with provider agencies and other professionals, including police and physicians, involved in services to client families.
Complete required casework documentation and transport client children and families as needed.
Perform other related duties as assigned.