County Social Services Aide 3 (Local Government) - Luzerne County C&Y

Are you committed to making a positive impact in the everyday lives of children and families throughout Luzerne County? If so, join our County Children, Youth & Families office as a Social Services Aide 3. This position gives you the opportunity to utilize your professional background to carry out tailored services designed for each family's unique needs. Join us in our mission of promoting the safety, well-being, and permanency of all children in Luzerne County through collaboration with families and the community!

As a Social Service Aide 3, you will work closely with and take direction from the unit supervisor regarding work assignments to assist families in attaining goals in their Family Service Plan (FSP). You will be responsible for meeting with your supervisor and caseworker at least once a month to discuss safety issues and FSP compliance. You will be required to maintain a working knowledge of the physical, cultural, developmental, and social factors that have an impact on child abuse and neglect as well as identify safety issues and assist the caseworkers within the unit to provide appropriate community resource referrals. You will have the opportunity to enhance your existing skills by participating in training that is relevant to the job functions. Families may need assistance in the following areas:

• Household organization and maintenance
• Household budget
• Meal preparation and nutrition
• Obtaining medical care from professionals
• Making appointments for services
• Parenting instruction and child development education
• Work with families experiencing difficulties in supervision and discipline of children
• Transportation for families and children to medical visits, visitation, and to other community services

Additional responsibilities include:

• Communicating with clients via telephone and through in-person visits
• Gathering information from clients and conferring with caseworkers in developing the Family Service Plan
• Completing various agency forms, birth certificate and social security applications, and transportation forms
• Monitoring and supervising visitation between parents and children
• Documenting all contacts with clients, keeping case notes, and making entries into the computer system
• Serving parents with court-related paperwork and testifying in court as warranted
• Keeping a variety of statistical information, completed, monthly, quarterly and annually
• Maintaining a working knowledge of available community resources and referring clients to services to help meet their goals

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment
• Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch.
• Telework: You will not have the option to telework in this position.
• Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• One year as a County Social Services Aide 2; or
• Graduation from high school, or its equivalency, and three years of experience in public contact work in a human services agency which included one year of experience in interviewing and obtaining information; or
• An associate's degree in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, criminal justice, or other related social sciences, and one year of experience in a human services agency; or
• Any equivalent combination of experience and training.

Other Requirements:

• You must meet the PA residency requirement. For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency.
• Hiring preference for this vacancy may be given to candidates who live within Luzerne County. If no eligible candidates who live within Luzerne County apply for this position, candidates who reside in other counties may be considered.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

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:

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

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.

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.

• 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.