County Caseworker 1 (Local Government) - Luzerne County C&Y (Multiple Vacancies)

Job Title

Social Service Caseworker

Job Description

Employees in this class participate in formal and informal county agency training programs which provide knowledge of the methods, procedures, rules and regulations necessary to perform social service and case management supportive services to children, youth, and families, people who are mentally disabled, people who are physically challenged, and others to assist them in attaining a more satisfactory social, economic, emotional, or physical adjustment. The work assigned is limited in scope and difficulty, and is performed under close supervision, but as knowledge and skills are acquired, more latitude in judgment and decision making is permitted. Work is performed under the close supervision of a professional social service or administrative supervisor and is reviewed through individual and group conferences, assignment of professional reading, attendance at training programs, and the reading of records and reports.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Examples of Work: Participates in formal and informal training programs which provide basic knowledge relative to agency purpose, services provided, client population characteristics, and applicable laws, methods, procedures, rules and regulations governing the operation of the agency.

• Learns about the network of available community resources by reviewing resource files, site visits, and working with and observing higher level caseworker staff.
• Receives instruction regarding the reason for and proper completion of applicable forms and paperwork.
• Performs a variety of entry level social services and case management duties designed to provide supportive services to children, youth and families, people who are mentally disabled, people who are physically challenged, and others.
• Assists clients and their families in developing and using their own potential for more adequately resolving their social, health, emotional and economic problems.
• Provides or assists in the provision of social services, such as placement of children and adults in foster or adoptive homes, day care centers, domiciliary care facilities, or institutions.
• Guides clients in home and budget management, housing, child care and parenting skills, employment, recreation and living arrangements.
• Schedules and conducts interviews and follow-up visits to provide service and counseling.
• Prepares and provides testimony in court under supervision.
• Makes referrals to other public and private social services and community agencies and resources to meet client needs; assists clients and their families in understanding and utilizing these resources.
• Attends and participates in case reviews and supervisory conferences and is exposed to a variety of learning experiences, including forms and on-the-job training programs, designed to develop professional and technical skills.
• Documents activities and services using designated agency methods and procedures, including social service summaries, correspondence and reports.
• Performs related work as required.

Adolescent Unit: The Adolescent Unit provides services to adolescents and their families. Clientele are defined as abused, neglected adolescents who exhibit numerous adjustment difficulties such as: parent child conflict, truancy and school problems, abuse of drugs and alcohol, teenage pregnancy, psychological/emotional difficulties, learning disorders and delinquency problems. Youth are served within their own homes, foster care, community based facilities and residential facilities. The Supervisor of the Adolescent Unit works closely with contracted Specialized Adolescent Assessment Unit workers. SAAU provides assessment and refers families to community-based agencies in an effort to circumvent LCCYS involvement. When a family is in need of ongoing and/or court mandated services SAAU opens the case and an ongoing AU worker is assigned to the case.

Independent Living Unit: The Independent Living Program is an educational life skill program that is mandated by the Department of Human Services. All foster children who have been "in care" after their 14th birthday are provided with a thorough comprehensive life skills education program. The program is offered either individually or in groups, and enhances life skills, prior to termination from agency services. The agency contracts 2 SIL workers to provide intensive case management with the adolescents in this group.

Concurrent Planning Unit: The Concurrent Planning Unit consists of five Caseworkers and one Social Services Aide. This unit was developed as a response to the Adoption and Safe Families Act, in an effort to ensure that children placed in foster care placement achieve a permanent plan in a timely manner.

CPS Intake Unit: The Child Protective Services (CPS) Intake Unit assesses all reports of sexual/physical abuse or neglect. Following Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public Welfare laws, regulations, and guidelines as well as Luzerne County procedures and policies, the CPS Intake department evaluates each child and family using a comprehensive risk and safety assessment methodology and case management techniques. The unit determines if the child is abused or neglected and takes appropriate measures to ensure safety. Services are provided within the home environment and sometimes through separation of the child(ren) from the family. The department assesses reports of abuse and/or neglect received through the Screening Unit or during the after hours crisis coverage. The unit evaluates the family's needs while ensuring the safety of the child(ren) and determine if the family should be served by Luzerne County Children and Youth Services and/or another community agency.

GPS Unit: The General Protective Services (GPS) unit provides treatment services to children and their families. The agency has GPS Intake, Ongoing and Protective Services units.

Intake Screeners: This position is responsible for primary screening and telephone coverage to receive all new referrals to the agency regarding child abuse and neglect.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of the basic principles of economics, sociology, psychology, and other social sciences.
• Knowledge of current social, economic, and health problems and their impact on the growth and development of people.
• Knowledge of human development and behavior including the individual, family, and group.
• Ability to understand and accept the needs and rights of others and to work with adults and children who are physically challenged, mentally disabled, emotionally troubled, and economically disadvantaged.
• Ability to learn, interpret, and apply relevant laws, regulations, and policies governing agency services.
• Ability to learn how to conduct individual and family interviews and to use them to identify individual and family problems.
• Ability to learn how to effectively interact with individuals, families, and as a member of a treatment team.
• Ability to plan and organize work, prepare adequate records and reports, set priorities, and learn to maintain a caseload in an effective and timely manner.
• Ability to adequately express ideas orally and in writing.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Recruitment Methods: Applicants must meet one (or more) of the following method(s) to be considered for this vacancy:

• Seniority Promotion: Bidding employees within the designated seniority unit, when collective bargaining unit obligation(s) have been met then the following recruitment methods may be used:
• Promotion Without Examination
• Transfer
• Reassignment
• Voluntary Demotion
• Reinstatement
• Civil Service Lists

Eligibility: All Candidates: 1.) Must meet the minimum experience and training (METS) required for the job. The METs for this position are:

• 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
• 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
• 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.

State Civil Service Commission Approved Additional Special Requirements: None

Be eligible for selection in accordance with merit system employment regulations. PA RESIDENCY IS WAIVED FOR THIS POSITION. Eligibility - Competitive Promotion Without Examination Only: Class Restrictions: Have held regular civil service status in the following classifications: County Social Service Aide 3

Selection Criteria: Meet the minimum experience and training required for the job. Meritorious Service - defined as: The absence of any discipline above the level of written reprimand during the 12 months preceding the closing date on the posting, The last due overall regular or probationary performance evaluation was higher than unsatisfactory. Seniority - a minimum of one year in the next lower class(es) by the closing date of this posting 06/16/2026.

Application Instructions: Interested qualified applicants