About the Department

Summary: Provides biopsychosocial (BPS) support services to staff attorneys of the OPD.

Position Duties

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The caseworker shall work directly with assistant public defenders in the OPD and shall assist these attorneys who represent juveniles/adults in delinquency and criminal cases.
Caseworker services shall include an assessment of client needs at all phases of juvenile delinquency and criminal proceedings.
Client needs may include evaluations and recommendations regarding alternatives to placement/incarceration by identifying juveniles and adults with substance abuse problems and mental illness and connecting the juveniles/adults with local treatment programs.
The caseworker shall be expected to prepare written BPS reports to identify housing, educational, mental health or other needs of juvenile and adult clients, connect clients to local social service agencies and testify in court about client needs as requested by the staff attorney. The goal is to create successful disposition and sentencing plans for juveniles and adults in the court system, ensure that juveniles and adults are protected from needless placement/incarceration or supervision, and reduce recidivism and costs of incarceration.
Licensed or MSW caseworkers may also supervise social workers or other student interns from high schools, colleges, universities or other professional schools.
Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge of:

Principles of social work (e.g. mental disorders, human development, social policy, developmental disabilities, cultural factors, etc.) in order to meet social work responsibilities in providing detention/disposition/sentencing alternatives.
Biopsychosocial (BPS) aspects of mental, developmental, physical disabilities, etc. in order to formulate rehabilitation plans as alternatives to incarceration /placement for juveniles and adults facing detention/disposition/sentencing.
Scope and activities of public and private health and welfare agencies and community resources to formulate rehabilitation plans as alternative to detention/placement/incarceration as a means of reducing recidivism and incarceration costs.
Recognized treatment interventions such as risk assessment, sex offender assessment, substance abuse interventions, etc., in order to formulate rehabilitation plans.
National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics in order to ensure professional competence.

Skill to:

Communicate effectively in order to facilitate recommendations on rehabilitation plans as alternatives to incarceration/placement for juveniles and adults facing detention/disposition/sentencing.
Write clear, legible, accurate and concise reports in order to enhance alternatives to incarceration/placement.
Perform interviews to obtain BPS information and to formulate rehabilitation plans for juveniles/adults facing detention/placement/incarceration.
Establish the confidence and cooperation of staff attorneys, support staff and clients in order to enhance the quality of professional working relationships.

Ability to:

Testify in court effectively on recommended rehabilitation plans to be considered by the Court as alternatives in detention/ disposition/sentencing hearings.
Understand the BPS of juveniles/adults that the OPD represents.
Garner the confidence of the court, adult/juvenile probation and law enforcement in recommending disposition/sentencing alternatives
Be tactful, patient, alert, exhibit emotional stability, have keenness of observation and have an empathetic understanding of juveniles/adults facing the justice system.
Work in a team environment.

Other Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelors Degree in Social Work or related field, Masters Degree in Social Work or related field preferred.
Experience working with local or state social services delivery systems for juvenile and adult offenders is highly valued.
Skill in using various computer software, including Microsoft Word and Excel and internet based programs is also required.

The County of Luzerne is an EEO/ADA Employer

Benefits

I. Medical Insurance
The coverage begins for the employee the on the first of the month following the first full 30 days of full-time employment for employees and their eligible dependents. Cost to the employee to participate in the plan varies by the coverage selection and the number of dependents; and may be subject to collective bargaining agreement. The employee may also elect to opt out of the County's medical insurance if proof of coverage is provided. Under this arrangement, the employee is provided with an annual opt out payment.

II. Vision and Prescription
The coverage begins for the employee on the first of the month following the first full 30 days of full-time employment for employees and their eligible dependents. Contributions may vary, subject to collective bargaining agreement.

III. Dental Coverage
The coverage begins for the employee on the first of the month following the first full 30 days of full-time employment for employees and their eligible dependents. Contributions may vary, subject to collective bargaining agreement.

IV. Life Insurance
A $50,000 life insurance policy is afforded to full-time employees, unless specified differently in a collective bargaining agreement. It remains in effect as long as the employee is actively employed and terminates upon resignation or retirement.

V. Retirement
All full-time employees and part-time employees working more than 1,000 hours per year qualify for Luzerne County retirement benefits, in which employees must contribute 5% of their earnings, and may choose to add to an additional voluntary contribution, not to exceed an additional 10%.

Agency Information

Employer: Luzerne County
Address: Penn Place Building, Suite 225

20 N. Pennsylvania Avenue

Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, 18702
Phone: 570-826-8801
Website: http://www.luzernecounty.org