Department
Children & Youth
Location
Erie County Office of Children & Youth Services
Status
Full Time
Starting Pay Rate
$20.03 Hourly
Hours Per Week
37.5
Exemption Status
Non-Exempt
Posting Date
08/18/2026
Closing Date
09/02/2026
Pay Grade
PC11
Bargaining Unit
PSSU CASEWORKER
Posting Number
5838
Posting Notice: Erie County offers a generous fringe benefit package including low-cost medical, dental, and vision; fourteen paid holidays; up to eleven combined personal and vacation days in the first year of employment.
Definition of Class
In this professional social services work in a County Children & Youth, Mental Health/Intellectual Disabilities or other Human Services Agency, provides a full range of social and case management services to children, youth, and families who are mentally disabled, physically challenged and otherwise needing aid in attaining a more satisfactory living arrangement. Should employ casework skills in obtaining essential information, counseling clients/families and helping them utilize all available resources. Uses problem solving techniques, provides counseling to maximize service delivery and achieve treatment plan goals while monitoring client behavior. They may also supervise clerical and/or paraprofessional staff.
Nature of Work
Obtains information from clients/families and others for the identification of problems and for assisting them in obtaining a wide variety of services based on established regulations and policies. Provides casework and counseling services to clients/families and protective and supportive services for abused and neglected children and adults, participates in team meetings to develop service plans and continually assesses the adequacy of client service plans and revises them to achieve goals and objectives. Should work collaboratively with social agencies, hospitals, courts and other community resources and teach clients/families home and budget management, child/adult care and assist with housing, employment and living arrangements. They may serve as a lead worker and/or supervise professional and/or clerical staff.
The Intake Specialist positions are distinct from that of a caseworker in the terms of job classification and report directly to an Intake Casework Supervisor 1. Intake Specialists provide state mandated services as outlined by the Child Protective Services Law, which requires 24-hour-per-day, seven-day-per-week availability to receive and investigate reports of child maltreatment and to provide information and referral services.
Performs related work as required
Duties & Responsibilities
Receives\documents all reports of child abuse\neglect reported to the agency regarding children living in Erie County. Provides callers with information\referral services.
Begins investigation of child abuse referrals and any referrals where immediate safety can not be determined within twenty-four (24) hours. Establishes contact with all other families within response times. Completes family-centered, culturally sensitive assessments within sixty (60) days of referral date.
Investigative duties include face-to-face interviews with all family members, eye-witnesses, and involved professionals to determine validity of allegations, the ongoing safety of children in the home, and need for ongoing services by family members.
For cases referred to the agency by a mandated reporter, a face-to-face interview will be held with the mandated reporter during the course of the intake investigation; unless is declined by the mandated reporter.
Makes appropriate referrals to other professionals to insure client families are able to access services.
Completes safety assessments\creates safety plans to insure children are safe in their own homes. When safety in home is not possible, responsible for establishing a safe living environment for the child that takes into consideration ties to school, family and culture.
If placement with family is not an option, selects appropriate foster placement locations.
Petitions the Court for Detention\Adjudication of the child. Petitions Court for Aggravated Circumstances. Responsible for preparing for\testifying at detention\adjudication hearings held before the Master\Juvenile Court Judges.
Report cases of child abuse to law enforcement and work cooperatively with law enforcement and the District Attorney's Office to complete joint investigations.
During the hours the agency is closed, intake specialists will perform all the above duties and also provide emergency coverage to client families as needed.
Completes interviews and investigations for other Child Protective Services agencies in Pennsylvania and other jurisdictions, involving residents of Erie County. Provides assistance to other jurisdictions when a runaway from outside Erie County is located within Erie County.
Document all contacts with clients. Complete risk assessments, document future risk and current safety. Prepare reports for various multidisciplinary teams.
Provide clear written explanations to all clients regarding their due process rights under the Child Protective Services Law and Juvenile Act. Completes reports for the Court, when necessary.
Completes inter-office reports (mileage, expense reports, etc.).
Keeps agency informed of out-of-office appointments.
Attends regular supervisory sessions. Keeps supervisor informed of significant events with clients; collaborate on investigative planning and techniques to use in contacts with families and to deal with any problems the intake worker may have in working with a family.
Participates in peer supervision group meetings for case presentation, consultation, and policy review and group supervision. Meet with the Agency's Consultants for assistance in the assessment and treatment of families for clinical skill development.
Experienced staff will provide mentoring services to new staff to enhance services to families and to assist in the facilitation of the learning experience.
Attend inter-agency meetings and mental health case staffing meetings for investigation completion and coordination of services. Participate in training at workshops and conferences in specific areas of individual needs. Read memoranda to keep informed of agency procedural\statewide regulation changes.
Read journal articles and books related to child welfare issues and concerns, as they relate to child maltreatment, family-centered practice, domestic violence, substance abuse, reunification, and out-of-home placement. Attend staff meetings of the entire agency personnel.
Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities
Knowledge of current social case management principles, techniques and methods.
Knowledge of current social, economic and health problems and resources and individual group development and behavior and ways of working effectively with adults/children who have social, economic and health problems.
Knowledge of basic principles and methods of program interpretation and community organization.
Knowledge of social welfare policy and law as how they relate to agency function and purpose.
Ability to work effectively with people and to aid in their growth of potential in adjusting to their specific problems.
Ability to plan and organize work, prepare adequate records and reports, set priorities, and maintain a caseload in an effective and timely manner.
Ability to plan, organize and direct the work of others.
Ability to interpret and apply relevant laws, regulations and policies governing agency services.
Minimum Requirements
Minimum of 6 months Experience as a County Caseworker I or Completion of the County Social Casework Intern Program or a Bachelor's Degree in a Social Welfare Major or a Bachelor's Degree with 12 Credits Sociology, Psychology, Social Welfare or other related Social Sciences and 1 year Social Casework Experience or Equivalent Training and Experience including 12 Credits in Sociology, Psychology, Social Welfare or other related Social Sciences of Professional Social Casework Experience or the Equivalent Combination of Experience and Training which includes 12 Credits in Sociology, Psychology, Social Welfare or other related Social Services
Supervision Received
Supervision provided by an Intake Casework Supervisor during regular weekly meetings, peer group meetings, and as needed.
Conditions Of Employment
Required to provide and are subject to Pennsylvania criminal and child abuse clearances as well as an FBI fingerprint clearance.
