POSITION SUMMARY:

This is paraprofessional public contact work assisting professional social service staff in a County Children and Youth Agency.

An employee in this class assists professional social service staff by relieving them of paraprofessional case management functions. Work includes assisting with or conducting interviews to obtain or verify information necessary to determine eligibility or need for a wide variety of social services; planning, scheduling, conducting or accompanying the worker on home visits, sharing observations and assessments, and meeting with advisors or treatment team members to provide information for their use in the development of treatment plans and goals. Work involves training clients or their families in maintenance of the home, care of children and the use of public transportation.  Work also involves providing information and referral services, assisting with locating housing and community resources, serving as a liaison to other community organizations and providing intensive in-home assistance and parenting education/support services under the direction of a professional worker/supervisor.  Work is performed under the supervision of a social services supervisor.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assists clients with obtaining necessary resources including residence, furniture, or job hunting.
• Provides coordination of supportive client services, including transportation.
• Schedules and supervises client contacts/visits as directed by supervisor/caseworkers.
• Presents In-Home parent instruction on a one-to-one basis.
• Documents case contacts with clients and collaterals via contact sheets.
• Testifies in court.
• Supervises children on court day and when necessary.
• Seasonal program responsibilities including campership, Christmas sharing, Thanksgiving, etc.
• For bilingual Case Aides, translating forms from English to Spanish, and interpreting client phone calls from Spanish to English.
• Related work as required.

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• High School Diploma or G.E.D. certification from a recognized issuing agency, AND; 
• Three (3) 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 (1) year of experience in a human services agency, OR;
• Any equivalent combination of experience and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Valid Pennsylvania driver's license.
• Childline and PA State Police Clearances.

MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of interviewing methods and techniques.
• Knowledge of community resources.
• Knowledge of normal and dysfunctional behaviors.
• Knowledge of federal, state and county rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Ability to maintain positive working relationships with clients, families, agency staff and other community agencies.
• Ability to implement training programs.
• Ability to follow written and oral instructions.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Physical presence in the office is required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Work involves walking, talking, hearing, using hands to handle, feel objects, tools, or controls, and reaching with hands and arms.  Vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds a distance of fifteen (15) feet or less.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

Office environment and various field locations as assigned.  Incumbent needs access to transportation.

This position description serves as a guideline for communicating the essential functions and other information about the positio to the applicant/employee. It is not intended to create a binding employment contract nor cover every detail of the position and may be changed where appropriate.