The Bedford County Children & Youth Services is seeking a full-time Caseworker I. 

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

This is entry-level professional social service work in a County Children and Youth Services Agency.  Employees participate in formal and informal training programs which provide basic knowledge relative to helping the children and families in our county achieve a normal home life.  Ability to understand and accept the needs and rights of others and to work with children and adults who are physically challenged, mentally disabled, emotionally troubled, and economically disadvantaged.

Learning about the network of available community resources, instruction on how to complete the forms for the resources, and guiding the clients through them.  Ability to work as a team in order to achieve an acceptable result.

Have the ability to apply relevant laws, regulations, and policies in order to help the children and families achieve an acceptable resolution.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: (illustrative only)

• Obtains through necessary intake information for ascertaining the needs of clients and assisting same in obtaining a wide variety of social services on the basis of established federal, state and local laws and policies;
• Assists applicants and clients in developing and using their own potential for resolving their social, health, emotional and economic problems;
• Thorough information and referral, assists applicants and clients accessing and utilizing various community resources in meeting their needs;
• Contacts family members in their own homes and other settings in relation to family problems, specifically the needs of children;
• Evaluates with the assistance of family members specific areas of concern;
• Performs protective service functions as it relates to child abuse and neglect, specifically maintaining on-call status, performing investigations, and assisting and making recommendations relative to the best interests of children involved.
• Assists in performing specific services relative to placement of children, counseling of children and family members, counseling in other specialized areas such as home and money management, child care, housing living arrangements, etc.;
• Performs foster child services, including the evaluation of relationships between foster families and children, and supervision of medical and personal needs of foster children;
• Makes appropriate referrals to other public and private social agencies and community resources, -Prepares social studies and case histories; and

• Attends appropriate training, course and staff meetings.

   

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY:

QUALIFICATIONS - MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING REQUIREMENTS:

• 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.
• PA residency is currently waived for this position.
• Hiring preference for this vacancy will be given to candidates who live in Bedford County.  If no eligible candidates who live in Bedford County apply for this position, candidates who reside in other counties will be considered.
• Do not submit resumes, cover letters, and similar documents.  These documents will not be reviewed a d the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position or to determine your score. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
• If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements.  Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. 
• Must be able to perform essential job functions

LEGAL REQUIREMENT:

• You must pass a background investigation.
• This position falls under the provisions of the Child Protective Services Law.  Under the Law, a conditional offer of employment will require submission and approval of satisfactory criminal history reports, including, but not limited to, PA State Police, Child Abuse history clearance, and FBI clearance.  

*Veterans:  *Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs.  To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.employment.pa.gov/Additional%20Info/Pages/default.aspx and click the Veterans' Preference tab or contact us at ra-cs-vetpreference@pa.gov.   Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):  711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals)   The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce.  The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania.  The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law.  All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

*The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Bedford County provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training. *The Bedford County Children & Youth Services complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. *