In this position with Allegheny County's Department of Human Services (DHS), Office of Children, Youth and Families (CYF), trainees work under the general supervision of a casework supervisor for a six-month probation period. During that time, trainees complete a ten-week curriculum consisting of both classroom and fieldwork. Trainees are responsible for working with a family from the point the family is referred to DHS/CYF until they are no longer involved with the agency.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Assimilates the material presented in the orientation and training.

Participates with questions and responses to questions in the training session.
Requests clarification of policies, procedures, mandates, regulations and casework principles and practices when not understood.
Learns and utilizes skills, policies, procedures and practices to manage the cases assigned.
Learns about and meets the mandates and regulations established by the government and regulatory agencies.
Demonstrates understanding and abilities to apply information received in training to the cases assigned.
Participates in the evaluation of the training session.

Performs casework on assigned cases.

Receives Intake and family services cases from the Casework Supervisor.
Reviews information received from the referring caseworker with the supervisor.
Applies information and skills acquired from the orientation to cases assigned under the guidance and approval of the supervisor.
Meets with referring caseworker to receive additional information and to ask questions regarding the placement, case and family history.
Assists as directed by supervisor in the transfer of the case, the coordination of services and reassuring the individuals involved.
Meets with the caregiver(s), natural parents and all others involved in the case under the guidance of the Casework Supervisor to complete a comprehensive assessment of needs, the ability of the family members to meet the needs of the children, any future placements needs and family reunification needs.
Evaluates, recommends and implements services or actions which are indicated to improve the home situation, to reunite the children with their natural parents and to terminate services if necessary under the review of the supervisor.
Monitors and evaluates the progress and effectiveness of the implemented treatments, case management and services needed.
Recommends and initiates permanency planning such as adoption when indicated by the deteriorations of the family functioning or abandonment by the family.
Obtains, updates and reports all required and necessary information for case management, regulatory compliance and DHS/OCYF activities.
Completes all required assessments, implementation of services or actions, reports and necessary documentation according to specific time frames and as needed.
Ensures the communications and activities between other emergency caregiver and foster/adoptive parents and DHS/OCYF staff are productive and appropriate.
Participates in weekly conferences with the supervisor regarding the progress or problems in carrying out family services plans, certification and reunification.
Complies with all placements of DHS/OCYF and affiliated government regulation, policies and guidelines.
Supervises child(ren) in placement with natural parents' visitation.
Prepares and completes court activities necessary for adjudication and protection of children and family including timely preparation of petitions, summaries, addenda and other reports to the court, preparation of testimony at court hearings and implementation of court orders.
Facilitates judicial reviews for children in kinship/foster care in accordance to DHS/OCYF policies and guidelines.
Files relevant case related materials in family record and family records in designated area.
Writes letters and completes required forms where applicable.
Resolves any problems or discrepancies regarding their cases or placements.

Completes, submits and processes all reports, correspondence, documents and information in a timely and accurate manner.

Complies with established practices and guidelines as set by the DHS/OCYF case management principle and government regulations.
Reviews and confirms information and documentation.
Meets established time frames for completion, submission and processing of all duties and responsibilities.

Serves as a contact person for the DHS/OCYF for cases assigned.

Responds to inquiries and complaints.
Consults with DHS/OCYF staff to resolve case service and other related problems involving assignments and duties.

Other Requirements:

Must have a valid Pennsylvania driver's license.
Use of personal vehicle required for the completion of social services assignments.
Must have a telephone phone where he/she can be reached 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
This position requires Civil Service testing prior to the interview. Support is available to help you navigate this process

Why DHS?

It is innovative. Most recently, the national attention and awards we've gotten are for how DHS integrates data and uses them to improve the safety and well-being of children through tools that support front-line staff in making decisions (using predictive analytics).

DHS is diverse, but we strive to be even more inclusive. Our director has made it her top priority that DHS is "the kind of place where a diverse group of talented people want to come, grow, and do their best work." This includes equity in hiring and advancement, as well as in unleashing the creativity and ideas of staff at every level of DHS.
It has strong, assertive leaders. We do not hire yes-people.

Salary depends on specific position.