Caseworker

Job Title

CASEWORKER

Department

SOCIAL SERVICES

Division/Work Unit

VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS

Bargaining Unit CSEA Salary Job Group 8 or 9 Starting salary for external candidates: $53,934/$57,258. (Non-Negotiable) Employment Type Full-Time Appointment Type Temporary Temporary Appointment Notice This position is being filled on a temporary basis in accordance with the New York State Civil Service Law and applicable rules and regulations. A temporary appointment does not confer permanent status. Individuals serving in a temporary appointment are not guaranteed consideration for permanent appointment. If a permanent vacancy exists, filling of the position on a permanent basis will be subject to applicable civil service examination, eligibility, and appointment requirements. Locations ERIE COUNTY RATH BUILDING; 95 FRANKLIN STREET BUFFALO, NY 14202 APPLETREE BUSINESS PARK; 2875 UNION ROAD CHEEKTOWAGA, NY 14227 Job Purpose The work involves performing social case work in connection with such social services as child and family welfare and protective services for adults; or health department clinical and home-based programs. The incumbent, after investigation, patient interviews and case assessment, formulates and carries out plans to meet the individual problems of cases assigned, and may act as case manager for a block of cases. Work is performed under the direct supervision of a higher-ranking administrative or supervisory employee. Does related work as required. Typical Work Activities Interviews applicants and referrals for child care, foster care, adoption, adult services, preventive services, in-home health care, nursing home or other services of the department and makes field investigations to verify intake information and to ascertain needs; Prepares case assessments for review by supervisor, including recommendations as to services required to attain defined goals; Assesses risk/safety of children; Recommends referrals to other agencies; Makes plans for services and assistance to meet individual problems of the cases assigned and after approval, puts plans into effect; Makes collateral contacts with other interested agencies and/or individuals to gather information coordinate services and guard against duplication of services; Reviews assigned cases periodically to determine changes affecting client circumstances and need for service, including follow-up field investigations; Gives advice and counsel to applicants and clients to assist in solving personal, family, domestic and financial problems; Determines categorical eligibility to assure appropriate Federal reimbursement for services provided; Utilizes information supplied by supportive services such as Resource Division and Home Economist’s Office, as applied to specific units of assigned caseload; Dictates case records, composes letters and reports as required; Maintains case records on computer system; Locates, studies and reports on family or foster homes and adoptive homes; Investigates and makes recommendations on boarding homes regarding certification; Investigates through inspection and interviews, as to whether child’s needs can best be met in natural home, foster home or institution; Plans with parents and relatives for care of children and re-establishment of the home, and promotes permanency planning for children, including adoption services; Attends in-service training programs and meetings; Investigates, through assessment and interviews as to whether client’s needs can best be met in client’s home or institution; Plans with client and client’s relatives for care of client and promotes optimum support from relatives and other interested parties; Assists in locating appropriate placement of clients deemed in need of protective environment; Makes court appearance as required; Inputs and retrieves information on computer systems relevant program assignment; Convenes and/or participates in case conferences; Manages client financial affairs in some adult service cases; Transports children; Prepares Family Court reports and related court work; May review cases for falsification and investigates to determine if there is overpayment of funds; May conduct field investigations as required; May assist in establishing accounts and arrangement of repayment schedules. Qualifications Possession of a Bachelor’s Degree*** (see Note 3) and one (1) year of social case work experience*^* (see Note 4). Notes NOTE 1: *Per resolution (see L-2023-339 Item #1.7) presented to State Civil Service Commission on January 17, 2024, action approved and filed with the Department of State on January 24, 2024, under the Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement (HELP) Program this title is temporarily re-assigned to NON-COMPETITIVE Classification. NOTE 2: **Candidates may be appointed as Caseworker Trainee (Job Grade VIII) with only the Bachelor’s Degree qualification. Upon satisfactory completion of the one (1) year training term an appointee shall be entitled to advance permanent status as a Caseworker (Job Grade IX) without further examination. NOTE 3: ***Your degree/credits must have been awarded by a college or university accredited by a regional, national, or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education/U.S. Secretary of Education. If your degree was awarded by an educational institution outside the United States and its territories, you must provide independent verification of equivalency. A list of acceptable companies who provide this service can be found on the Internet at You must pay the required evaluation fee. NOTE 4: *^*Possession of a Master’s Degree in social work may be substituted for one year of the required experience above. NOTE 5: Verifiable part-time and/or volunteer experience will be pro-rated toward meeting full-time experience requirements. Special Requirements Eligibility for a New York State driver license at the time of application. Possession of the license and use of a private automobile required at time of appointment. Background Checks Applicants for designated positions in the Department of Social Services that may have regular and substantial unsupervised or unrestricted contact with children shall be subject to background checks according to the New York State Justice Center’s Staff Exclusion List (SEL) and New York State Office of Children and Family Services Statewide Central Register of Abuse and Maltreatment (SCR). Inquiries on current employees shall be made annually and prior to promotion but no more often than once in any six month period (N.Y. Social Services Law 424-A.) Candidates/applicants with conditional offers of employment may be required to submit the necessary fee(s) for background screening and inquiries shall be completed prior to employment hiring/start date. Refusal to sign the necessary clearance forms, submit the required associated fees and/or participate in the review process shall be cause for an automatic non-selection. In addition, inquiry responses are subject to evaluation and may result in disqualification pursuant to Section 50 of the New York State Civil Service Law. Criminal Background Check In accordance with New York State law, a criminal background check may be conducted after a conditional offer of employment has been made. A prior conviction will not automatically disqualify a candidate from employment, unless required by law or directly related to the duties of the position. Certain positions may be subject to additional background screening based on statutory or regulatory requirements. Remote Work Eligibility This position may be eligible for one remote work day per week, subject to departmental needs and supervisory approval, after successful completion of the probationary period. Participation in remote work is not guaranteed and may be modified or revoked at any time. Diversity Statement Erie County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other legally protected status. Visa Sponsorship Erie County does not sponsor employment-based visa status for any position. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of application and throughout the duration of employment, without the need for current or future visa sponsorship. Contact Starlet Saffron, Personnel Specialist, 95 Franklin St, Room 604, Buffalo, NY 14202, View email address on click.appcast.io #J-18808-Ljbffr Erie County