Reference #: 4487702

THE POSITION:

• If you have a passion for helping children, youth and families, Forest County Children & Youth Services is looking for you.
• Apply today and make a difference in the lives of our children!

DESCRIPTION OF WORK:

• This is a social casework position in the field of child welfare.  This position is located in the Children & Youth Program in the Forest County office located in Tionesta, PA.
• Work is performed in accordance with established regulations, policies and procedures, but the employee is expected to exercise considerable initiative and independent judgment in achieving objectives.  Duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:
• Performs primary function in the area of brief services/crisis intervention.
• Provides crisis evaluations in all areas of Children & Youth.
• Obtains information from clients, members of families and others necessary for the identification of social, economic, emotional, health or physical problems and for the determination of child neglect, dependency, or abuse.
• Investigates all reports.
• Provides protective and supportive services for abuse or neglected children; counsels families concerning proper methods of care, healthy family interaction, communication, boundaries, proper discipline, etc.
• Counsels children and families in their own homes to enable the family unit to adjust to its problems in a manner that will bring greater enrichment to each individual.  Offers continued counseling for foster parents, children and the natural parents.
• Participates in meetings with other professional staff for the purpose of diagnosis and plan of treatment.
• Prepares casework plans, social studies, case histories, summaries, correspondence, dictation, writes letters, etc.
• Provides for the arrangement of delivery of rehabilitative services to abused children and their families.
• Provides C&Y crisis intervention services during office hours, responds to after-hours crisis with "open" families and other CYS emergencies if necessary and available.
• Performs other related work as requested/required.
• Maintains awareness of available and applicable services and resources available to clientele.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment.
• Work hours are 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch.
• Previous certification as PA Direct Service Worker is preferred.
• Must have access to or own a vehicle that will enable worker to carry out the duties assigned, including transportation.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY:

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:
• 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
• 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
• 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.
• Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within two months of graduating with a qualifying degree/credits.

Other Requirements:

• PA residency requirement is currently waived for this title.
• Hiring p eference for this vacancy will be given to candidates who live within Forest County.  If no eligible candidates who live within Forest County apply for this position, candidates who reside in other counties will be considered.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Legal Requirements:

• A conditional offer of employment will require submission of criminal history reports. See hiring agency contact information.
• 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 clearance, PA Child Abuse history clearance, and FBI Fingerprint clearance.

How to Apply:

• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. 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.
• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.

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).
• If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

EXAMINATION INFORMATION:

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position.  No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
• You must provide complete and accurate information or:
• your score may be lower than deserved.
• you may be disqualified.
• You may only apply/test once for this posting.
• Your results will be provided via email.

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