Casework Specialist

Department of Children, Youth and Families is seeking a compassionate individual with strong assessment, engagement and writing skills for a Casework Specialist position in the Intake/ Investigatory Unit.   Responsibilities include; Respond to abuse allegations (physical, sexual, emotional);  conduct investigations to assess risk and insure the safety of children.  home visits, providing client transport, interviewing to gather information and writing reports.  Maintain current/ accurate/ retrievable records, provide resource/ referral to community resources/ department services, testify in court.  Address issues of school attendance, work with law enforcement, judical systems, medical systems, collateral professionals and community based agencies. Ideal candidate can manage multiple priorities when responding to urgent situations, is proficient in  documenting interactions and maintaining focus in a very busy environment.

Minimum requirements: Bachelors in the Social Sciences; or Bachelors with 12 credits in the Social Sciences.  Applicants must have  two years of paid social services employment OR 6 months employment as a GPS Specialist.

Requries  working outside of the core business hours . 

This position includes the potential for a flexible work arrangement that may include remote work.

Valid driver's license and use of a private vehicle required.

Child Abuse, State Police and FBI clearance required.

Writing skills assessment conducted at the interview.

A pre-interview online assessment is requried.

Bi-lingual (English/ Spanish) are encouraged to apply.

These positions are subject to the provisions of a collective bargaining unit.

Human Services Employee Addendum can be found here

• Assess situation to determine if child is at risk of harm in accordance with regulatory guidelines.
• Investigation of "more difficult cases"/ serious physical harm and sexual abuse.
• Investigation of more complicated cases.
• Knowledge and application of Child Protective Services Law and Juvenile Act.
• Knowledge and application of court process and procedure
• Ability to prepare staff for court presentation to include training on court presentation
• Assess client needs to develop individual treatment plans in accordance with regulatory guidelines.
• Timely written assessments, reports and summations.
• Insure coordination and implementation of plan.
• Monitor client participation/ progress in programs as per established case management standards.
• Make necessary referrals and coordinate services.
• Produce and maintain reports/ records/ client tracking system in accordance with regulations/ agency policies reflecting service needs, social services provided and case outcomes.
• Attend conferences/ meeting with collateral agencies as they relate to client services.
• Practice System of Care (SOC) single plan of care principles.
• Provide peer leadership, direction and support to newer Caseworkers. 
• Provide peer mentoring and consultation to newer Caseworkers.
• Attend training throughout the year.
• Maintain a professional public image per county and agency policy.
• Perform other duties, tasks and special projects as required.
• Must have a valid driver's license and use of a private vehicle.

Additional responsibilities per Unit
 
Casework Specialist: Intake Services Unit

• Primary responsibilities include the investigation of "more difficult/ complex cases" primarily serious physical harm and sexual abuse.
• Knowledge of the Child Protective Services Law and Juvenile Act to include extensive investigatory/ case management experience.
• Additionally, this person will service as a mentor/ lead worker providing leadership, support and direction to the new Child Abuse Investigations Casework Specialists

 
Casework Specialist: Foster Parent Liaison: Placement Services Unit

• Recruits, trains and serves as liaison between the Foster Parents, this department and casework staff

 
Casework Specialist: Legal/ Administrative Court Liaison

• Liaison to the court and attorneys
• To staff: provides court presentation consultation, insures adherence to the CPSL and all mandates, agency policies and procedures
• Maintains Legal Manual by updating policies maintains the court files, schedules hearings, writing/ filing of petitions.
•  

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's in Social Work; or
• Bachelor's in the Social Sciences; or
• Bachelor's with 12 credits in the Social Sciences. 
• All to include 2 years of Social Services experience or 6 months experience as a GPS Specialist (Read more about GPS Specialist HERE) .
• Degree must be from an accredited college/ university

 
Preferred Skills, Knowledge & Experience:

• 3 years or more paid experience Child Welfare case management
• Investigatory training and experience
• Investigating Sexual Abuse Certification (Child Welfare Training Program)
• Public speaking, recruitment and training experience. 
• Strong engagement skills
• Department of Human Services Caseworker certification.
• Ability to understand/navigate complex systems
• Ability to prioritize
• Successfully completes projects within identified time frames
• Knowledge and application of the Child Protective Services Law and Juvenile Act
• Knowledge of community resources
• Knowledge of court process and procedure
• Experience and knowledge in child development.
• Background and knowledge in social work and psychology.

Relevant background checks, clearances, physicals, drug tests, and any other assessments or evaluations will be conducted after an offer of employment is given per County policy.

Computer Skills:
To perform this job successfully, an individual should have:

• Basic Word skills
• Basic Outlook skills (Email and Calendar)
• Basic Internet skills (for research purposes)

 
Physical Demands:
While performing the duties of this position, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, talk or hear, taste or smell and travel to and from different locations.  Occasionally, the employee will need to reach above shoulder height, and climb stairs.  On rare occasions, the employee will need to work with arms above shoulder height, bend at the waist or work bent at the waist, lift or carry items, and work with an uncommon level of noise. 
 
The specific vision requirement for this position is:

• Close vision (clear vision at 20 inches or less)

 
Work Environment:

• The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate.
• Inclement weather can contribute to hazardous travel conditions.
• Attending initial intakes alone and in all types of neighborhoods can potentially place you in an unsafe environment.
• Field work, as assigned.
• Court appearances, as necessary.

 
Other:

• This position requires extensive reading.
• Ability to work extended hours, as needed.
• This position requires professionalism.

Salary : $50,600