Caseworker Trainee

Starting Compensation:

Our full-time positions come with an array of excellent benefits including comprehensive healthcare coverage, a pension plan, flexible spending accounts and even a tuition reimbursement program.

At Lancaster County, we understand the importance of work-life balance. That's why we offer paid time off for sick, vacation and holidays, an employee assistance program, and family medical leave.

If you're passionate about making a difference, apply today to join us in serving the community!

Job Description:

Lancaster County Children & Youth Social Service Agency is seeking professional individuals to join our Casework team in their Intake, Family Support and Permanency Departments.

The Lancaster County Children and Youth Social Service Agency is a public child welfare agency mandated to provide protection services to Lancaster County's children and their families.

The Agency investigates all reports of child abuse and neglect and provides intervention services to address safety threats and risk factors and stabilize the family.

The Agency's mission is to address the safety, permanency and well-being of children and youth at risk of abuse and neglect.

Intake Division:

• This is an entry-level social service position within the Intake department of the Lancaster County Children & Youth Agency.

• Following the successful completion of a six-month probationary period that includes in-service training, orientation and close supervision, the employee is promoted to the Caseworker classification.

• Under close supervision, the caseworker in this unit conducts a thorough investigation of referrals of neglect and abuse following the PA Juvenile Act, the PA Child Protective Services Law, DPW regulations and agency policy.

• This caseworker provides emergency or short-term services required during the course of the investigation and makes recommendations for long-term service planning.

Family Support Division:

• This is an entry-level social service position within the Family Support department of the Lancaster County Children & Youth Agency.

• The Family Support unit provides casework services to families whose children are at risk of, or who have been exposed to, neglect, physical abuse and/or sexual abuse.

• The caseworker assists the families in following through with plans to address concerns regarding drug and alcohol abuse, mental health challenges, domestic violence, housing, and parenting skills in order to help caregivers improve their functioning and to prevent repeated abuse and neglect.

• The caseworker makes every effort to work with the families toward the goal of stabilizing and strengthening them so that they may remain a family unit and meet their children’s needs for safety and well-being.

• Most cases are successfully closed after the family has completed their Family Service Plan goals.

• The caseworker is responsible for providing services to 15 to 25 families. This is entry level professional social service work in our County Children and Youth Agency.

• Employees who successfully complete a six-month probation in this classification are promoted to the Caseworker classification.

Permanency Division:

• This is an entry-level social service position within the Permanency department of the Lancaster County Children & Youth Agency.

• The caseworker supervises, coordinates, and provides services to families of children who are placed in kinship homes, resource homes, group homes and residential facilities. Many of the youth have had various acting out behaviors ranging from truancy, sexual abuse, and neglect to violence against other people.

• Many of the parents exhibit multiple challenges in functioning as parents or in managing their own lives. With the assistance of the supervisor, the caseworker is required to prioritize activities to fulfill the demands of the job and maintain quality services to all clients.

• For all cases, the caseworker is responsible for creating and implementing written, court-approved case plans for children and their families.

• The caseworker is responsible for making referrals for services to complete the tasks on the plans to achieve permanency.

• The caseworker supervises clients’ progress on their plans, develops written reviews of progress and presents those reviews to the Court.

• This is entry level professional social service work in our County Children and Youth Agency. Employees who successfully complete a six-month probation in this classification are promoted to the Caseworker classification.

Minimum Qualifications:

• 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

• An equivalent combination of experience and training which includes 12 college credits in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, criminal justice, or other related social sciences.

The County of Lancaster offers comprehensive benefits to our employees. Â Read more about our benefits here .

Lancaster County Government provides Equal Employment Opportunity for all persons regardless of race, religion, age, sex, national origin, genetic information or disability. The County also observes all applicable laws regarding Veterans status. The County reflects this action in all areas of employment and compensation practices and policies. Employment with the County is based upon the ability to perform the job as well as dependability and reliability once an individual is hired. Â