Assistant Chief Caseworker

JOB SUMMARY

This is a full-time position with the Crisis Intervention component of Lancaster County Behavioral Health and Developmental Services.

This third shift position supervises the provision of crisis services to children, youth and families, people who are mentally disabled, people who are physically challenged, and others to assist them in attaining a more satisfactory social, economic, emotional, or physical adjustment.

Work involves responsibility for supervising and training a small group of professional county social service workers. Work may also include responsibility for assigning and reviewing the work of interns and coordinating training with college/university staff. 

Supervision may also be exercised over paraprofessional human service workers and clerical staff. 

Work is performed in accordance with established regulations, policies, and procedures, but employees are expected to exercise considerable initiative and independent judgment in achieving objectives.

This position is supervised by the Chief Caseworker within the Crisis Intervention component. 

***This position comes with a $5000 sign-on bonus

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

This position reports directly to their assigned supervisor. 

There is on-going, daily supervision that takes place surrounding multiple issues that occur within the Crisis Intervention office or when staff are in the field.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Supervises and trains a small group of professional social service workers, or other subordinates, in the crisis Intervention component.

Coordinates and reviews case records, documents and information prepared by staff to ensure that they are in compliance with agency policies and procedures and legal requirements.

Provides crisis counseling services to children, youth, and families who are experiencing a mental health crisis.

Motivates clients to develop and use their own potential for more adequately resolving their social, health, emotional and economic problems.

Serves as a coordinator for interns; coordinates training with college/university staff and evaluates work performance.

Meets with representatives of other community agencies and agency staff to coordinate services.

Reviews and monitors client records to assure services are provided in compliance with applicable regulations.

Prepares case summaries, assessment tools, reports, and correspondence as needed.

Conducts outreaches at hospitals, police departments or in the community within the jurisdiction of Lancaster County.

At the discretion of Director will be required to work on call within an established rotation.

OTHER SPECIFIC TASKS OR DUTIES

Must have working knowledge of the TTY and Relay systems to assist members who are hearing impaired, with a greater understanding of the Relay system currently in use in PA.

Must be able to use existing phone system to answer, make and transfer calls.

Provide training to community partners who may request an overview of the services provided by crisis. 

Perform other duties as assigned

Participate in on call after hour supervision

Participate in unit or agency meetings

May be required to provide direct service on weekends or holidays to ensure sufficient coverage

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 

Two years of professional experience in public or private social work and a bachelor's degree with major course work in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, criminal justice, or other related social sciences. or

Any equivalent combination of experience and education which includes 12 college credits in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, criminal justice, or other related social sciences.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of the basic principles of supervision.

Knowledge of current case management and social work principles, practices, and methodology.

Knowledge of individual and group behavior and methods used in working effectively with children, youth and families, people who are mentally disabled, people who are physically challenged, and others.

Knowledge of the basic principles and methods of program interpretation and community organization.

Knowledge of the rules, regulations, policies, and procedures which relate to the provision of social services.

Knowledge of current social, economic, and health problems and available resources.

Ability to plan, organize, and supervise the work of a professional and non-professional social service staff.

Ability to analyze, interpret, and evaluate case records and recommend sound courses of action.

Ability to orient and train subordinates on rules, regulations, policies, and procedures and provide technical assistance.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, families, agency staff, community service agencies and facilities, and the general public.

Ability to make clear and pertinent statements orally and in writing.

REQUIRED LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS/CLEARANCES

Must pass pre-employment drug screening test.

Must have acceptable background checks that include FBI Clearance, PA State Police Criminal History and ChildLine Clearances

All Clearances are required prior to the start of employment and may not be more than one year old at the time of employment.

A valid driver’s license and acceptable driving history in accordance with County policy.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORK ENVIRONMENT

Crisis staff must be able to work in a busy and open environment. Crisis staff must be able to routinely provide his/her own transportation to and from outreach visits, consumer locations, providers, hospitals, meetings, etc. in a timely manner and be able to access those locations with reasonable accommodation. They must be able to use a computer for data entry both within the office and while working in the field.   

This position has been identified as having the potential for exposure to Hepatitis B.  Access to training and a voluntary vaccination against Hepatitis B is provided.

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.   

Crisis Staff are considered “essential” staff and therefore are not eligible for teleworking.