Juvenile Services Caseworker

The City of Lynchburg is an Equal Opportunity Employer

The City of Lynchburg is hiring for a Caseworker for the Juvenile Services Department.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provides regularly scheduled individual counseling;
• Coordinates and conducts treatment plan meetings which assess adolescents' needs and develops a written individualized treatment plan that addresses those needs; counsels adolescents and coordinates services both within the program and in the community; monitors progress on plan and makes revisions as needed;
• Makes decisions and exercises judgment in the areas of interpreting and implementing program policies, program operation and planning and implementing both short-term and long-term program development objectives for adolescents and their families;
• Documents casework services and prepares both detailed and summary reports on adolescents' behavior and progress in treatment for review by the appropriate authorities;
• Assists and counsels the programs direct care treatment staff with regard to the handling of difficult adolescents, reviews logs and maintains a log of observations;
• Meets with adolescents and their families to monitor behaviors on home visits, to evaluate progress on treatment related items in order to facilitate the adolescent's transition back into the community;
• Coordinates educational and vocational opportunities for adolescents and liaises with schools, employers and restitution services as appropriate;
• Meets and confers with legal, medical, school, court and other professionals;
• Performs tasks required to maintain compliance with State and Federal guidelines such as CORE, USDA, VJCCCA, JABIG AND RevMax standards which can have significant financial effect;
• Coordinates and transports adolescents to medical appointments, home, meetings, court, etc., as needed;
• Testifies in court, making recommendations based upon observations and assessment;
• Responds to emergencies and serves on-call duty;
• Monitors compliance with both interdepartmental and the Department of Juvenile Justice standards;
• Administers first aid and CPR as required and medications as trained;
• Intervenes and mediates disputes between adolescents, performs physical restraint as trained, if needed;
• Participates on family assessment planning teams as scheduled.

When assigned to the Detention Home:

• Assists subordinate staff with regards to management of difficult detainees; reviews logs for staff observations regarding assigned detainees;
• Participates in admissions and releases;
• Conducts staff meetings for Post-Dispositional staff and assists in overall program planning and evaluation;
• Accompanies detainees to professional's office or hospital to be evaluated for a Temporary Detaining Order to have mental health status evaluation;
• Requests petitions to be filed by Court Services Intake Worker.
• Mayserve as PREA Coordinator

When assigned to Day Services:

• Reviews referrals and conducts admissions;
• Supervises adolescents during the assigned shift, maintains behavioral norms, directs program routines and therapeutic programs;
• Assists in the screening, interviewing, selection, training, supervision and scheduling of relief workers and other staff;
• Assists in the training of student interns and volunteers;
• Oversees all aspects of the program in the absence of the Superintendent.

When assigned to Residential Treatment Programs:

• Works a flex schedule to maximize the needs for intensive services for assigned residents;
• Within the adolescent's community environment, foster the adolescent's relationship with the appropriate mentor who can continue their relationship after the adolescents is out of the system;
• Provides follow-up and/or after care services;

When assigned to Outreach Detention:

• Performs responsible professional casework involving the home-based treatment and care of high-risk adolescents in their home setting;
• Within 24-hours, conducts intake/orientation meeting with the youth and his/her family;
• Meets individually with each participant a minimum of 4 times a week, with no more than one day without contact; meets with the family a minimum of one time per week;
• Conducts weekly random curfew checks of program participants;
• Responds immediately when notified of a participant's violation of electronic monitoring program;
• Recommends further action to adolescent court authorities as requested;
• Reviews court service files regarding assigned youth;
• Encourages participants to expand their repertoire of legal leisure activities that are developmentally appropriate for the individual.

When assigned to Community Outreach:

• Provides intense services and case management for up to seven at risk youth and their families;
• Monitors progress and adherence to court-ordered and court service unit obligations;
• Provides crisis intervention to youth and families;
• Maintains compliance with those youth on electronic monitoring;
• Provides a minimum of 4 face to face contacts per week unless otherwise stated in the treatment plan;
• Makes both announced and unannounced visits to the juvenile's home; school or job site and maintain a minimum of weekly contact in person with the parent or legal guardian;
• Conducts random curfew checks in person on a weekly basis;
• Maintains schedules for those youth on electronic monitoring and reports any violations;
• Participates in Family Assessment and Planning Team as needed;
• Responds to emergencies 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• As lead worker, assists supervisor in oversight of subordinate program staff.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES

• Other duties to provide direct or indirect service to the citizens may be assigned.
• When unusual situations occur and/or the City Manager declares a State of Emergency, all City employees may be required to accept special assignments and perform as needed to ensure appropriate service delivery.
• Completes assigned supplemental duties that are required in a structured or secured setting for adolescents that may include participating in special work teams and/or on Family Assessment Teams, as scheduled; supervising residents in the community on special recreational outings; completing statistical reports; or conducting staff training.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

As lead worker, assists supervisor in oversight of subordinate program staff.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Bachelor's degree (B. S.) from four-year college or university in social work, psychology, counseling or a related field, and two years related experience. Equivalent combination of education and experience may also be considered.

Valid State Driver's License required and acceptable driving record according to City criteria.

Prior to employment must have Criminal Record Check and reference checks, driving record check completed, and Child Protective Services check. Prior to onset of employment must have tuberculin and drug screen as part of physical examination.

Must successfully complete IS100 and IS700 National Incident Management (NIMS) training within 90 days of employment. May also be required to complete higher levels of NIMS training as determined appropriate for the position.