Family Advocate - Coroner

Job Summary

Case management position embedded in the York County Coroner’s Office responsible for a decedent family program providing clinical and consultation work as part of the investigative team. In addition, maintains a professional support relationship with decedent families and functions as an advocate or guide to help with solutions for families who have suffered the loss of a loved one due to opioid use disorder. Independent judgment may be utilized when it is performed in the best interest of the agency. Independent judgment will also be exercised in researching and offering consultation opinions and information to families. Reports to and is supervised by the Coroner and Chief Deputy Coroner.

About Us

Located in south-central Pennsylvania, York County Government offers many exciting and challenging opportunities to learn and grow in a career while making a difference in the lives of York County residents. Each County department meets a unique need in the community and provides an opportunity for both professional growth and personal satisfaction. York County offers a competitive wage and benefit package.

Responsibilities

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develops/creates a broad-scope plan for the families of those lost to opioid use disorder as it relates to providing mental health and/or other social services for those in our community who need assistance following the death of a loved one after overdose.
• Attends death scene investigations to support Deputy Coroners with family needs following the death of a decedent due to a suspected drug overdose.
• Works closely with volunteer coordinator and volunteers assigned to each related case
• Addresses and assesses need for competency and intervention
• Assesses decedent family members’ needs and eligibility for various services
• Develops and maintains client case records, plans, and reports
• Compiles information for agency use and for reporting purposes for the opioid settlement grant
• Refers decedent family members to mental health services, wrap around services and substance abuse placement as appropriate
• Works with outside agencies to coordinate and facilitate alternative substance use or mental health options for decedent family members
• Conducts psychosocial evaluations with select decedent family members as appropriate
• Confers with Deputy Coroners and other staff on agency cases
• Works with outside agencies to coordinate and facilitate alternative mental health or substance abuse treatment options for decedent family members
• Participates in agency and community planning and education regarding services provided
• Helps to develop agency policies and procedures with regards to social work practices and program needs

Strategic Responsibility

• In collaboration with the Coroner and Chief Deputy Coroner, the Social Worker will participate in the agency and with community planning and education to identify community needs.
• Helps to develop agency policies and procedures regarding social work practices and program needs.

Essential Requirements

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

Minimum Requirement: Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), or Licensed Social Worker (LBSW)

Preferred: Master of Social Work (MSW) or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).

Must have Social Work certification or the ability to be certified by the State of Pennsylvania.

Additional Minimal Requirements:

• Computer literacy required; experience with Office, including Word and Excel; case management experience required.
• Knowledge of legal terminology, ethics, and court procedures required.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing, ability to work independently, ability to take on required responsibilities, ability to collaborate with co-workers and decedent family members.
• Must have ability to interact with people of different cultures, positions and walks of life.

Problem Solving: Due to the nature of the agency, specific knowledge is required based upon Coroner state laws. This position must be able to make independent decisions as it pertains to death investigations, so as to limit risk to the agency and the enterprise. It is required that this position have ability to solve complex problems, provide appropriate information to staff and to the public, and manage crisis situations in a timely, responsible manner to prevent harm to the agency and to the enterprise.

Nature and Area of Impact: This position has a significant impact on this agency due to the responsibilities and duties required for the position with interacting with the public. This position is required to make independent and critical decisions related to operations and function.

Interactions/Interpersonal Skills: Most interactions are with families of deceased individuals.

Social Worker works one on one with deputy coroners on investigation scenes when needed.

Serves on affiliated committees such as Overdose Fatality Review, National Family Advocate meetings and Grief Support Committee.

Works closely with office volunteer coordinator and volunteers.

Working Conditions: Work is performed in a standard office environment, and out in the field 20% of the week (if applicable).

Some travel may be required to outside locations for meetings.

Contact Details

If you have any questions, please contact the county's Department of Human Resources at ychr@yorkcountypa.gov.