County Caseworker 1 - Local Government

Full Job Description

Do you want a career where your work truly matters? Are you passionate about protecting children, strengthening families, and serving your community?

Then empower young lives with Wayne County Children and Youth Services!

Wayne County Children and Youth is looking for an Independent Living Caseworker who is ready to make a lasting impact by guiding youth toward independence and success.Join our team and help change lives every day - apply today.

Requirements

Support youth aged 14-23 in transitioning to adulthood through the Independent Living (IL) Program. Conduct needs assessments and create individualized Independent Living Plans. Provide hands-on guidance to help youth develop life skills, education plans, employment strategies, and housing stability. Conduct visits with youth in various settings like their homes, foster homes, and schools, sometimes involving transportation. Manage a caseload with varying schedules and needs, which may require non-traditional hours. Maintain accurate records and reports of youth progress and program activities. Build rapport with youth, including those who may be challenging to engage, and model pro-social behaviors. Organize and facilitate life skills groups and community service activities. Attend court hearings and meetings with treatment providers and partners to support youth. Communicate effectively with youth, families, professionals, and the IL Coordinator through oral and written communication. Participate in ongoing training and staff meetings to enhance skills related to transition-aged youth and relevant topics.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment, 37.5 hours per week.
• Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday - Friday, with 1-hour lunch.
  • On-call and non-traditional hours, including evenings or weekends, when required.
  • Employee may have overnight travel or out-of-County travel on a monthly basis.
• Telework: You will not have the option to telework in this position.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• Two years of experience as a County Social Services Aide 3 and two years of college level course work which includes 12 college credits in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, criminal justice, or other related social sciences; or
• A bachelor's degree which includes or is supplemented by successful completion of 12 college credits in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, criminal justice, or other related social sciences; or
• Any equivalent combination of experience and training which includes 12 college credits in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, criminal justice, or other related social sciences and one year of experience as a County Social Services Aide 3 or in a similar position performing paraprofessional case management functions.
• Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within two months of graduating with a qualifying degree/credits.

Other Requirements:

• PA residency requirement is currently waived for this title.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Legal Requirements:

• You must pass a background investigation.
• A conditional offer of employment will require a drug screening.
  
• This position falls under the provisions of the Child Protective Services Law.
  • Under the Law, a conditional offer of employment will require submission and approval of satisfactory criminal history reports including, but not limited to, PA State Police clearance, PA Child Abuse history clearance, and FBI Fingerprint clearance.

How to Apply:

Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position.

Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).

If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.

Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.

Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.

Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

Additional Information

Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position.

No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.

Your score is valid for this specific posting only.You must provide complete and accurate information or:your score may be lower than deserved.you may be disqualified.You may only apply/test once for this posting.Your results will be provided via email.