About the Department

RESIDENCY: Candidates must have been legal residents of the following jurisdiction(s) for at least four months immediately preceding the date of the application:

• Livingston County, or
• One of the following Counties: Allegany, Genesee, Monroe, Ontario, Steuben or Wyoming

An employee in this position provides case work services to families, individuals and children in need of services, in particular where problems of neglect, destitution, exploitation, and delinquency are involved.   An incumbent may investigate reports of child abuse and/or maltreatment, investigate reports of vulnerable adults needing assistance or being exploited, develop service plans, monitor children placed out of the home with either a relative resource, residential treatment center or in a foster home.  The functional duties are similar to those of the Caseworker, except that through training and experience, Senior Caseworkers have gained an expertise to handle more complex problems and situations with less direct supervision.  Work is performed in the office and in the field.  The work is performed under general supervision of a Case Supervisor, Grade B or a Social Services Division Director.  Supervision may be exercised over subordinate personnel within a small unit or a program within well-defined limits.  A Senior Caseworker does related work as required

Position Duties

• Interviews applicants and persons referring cases of children needing care, supervision or services;
• Conducts assessments, of the individual and/or family functioning needs;
• Makes necessary collateral contacts with employers, relatives, friends, schools, physicians, hospitals and other agencies;
• Schedules and facilitates case conferences with the agencies and the involved parties to monitor case progression and outcomes;
• Develops service plans to address the identified needs of the individual and/or family including establishing safety plans when necessary for a family or vulnerable adult, and making referrals for ongoing services, to provider agencies;
• Coordinates with provider agencies, law enforcement, schools, banks, churches, etc. to which individuals and families may be referred to or from for services;
• Plans with parents and relatives regarding permanency for children in out of home placements;
• Facilitates and directly monitors visitation plans between children in out of home placement and parents/family members;
• Guides and develops Caseworkers under their supervision with completing required assessments, decision making, and developing service plans;
• Assists with training and monitoring performance of casework staff;
• Conducts public presentations and educational sessions related to child welfare services and adult protective services;
• Completes and submits timely documentation in accordance to regulations within the established electronic business record;
• Prepares petitions and summary reports;
• Writes letters and reports as required;
• Testifies in Court as necessary;
• Coordinates and/or directly provides transportation when needed;
• Assists a Case Supervisor on administering the work of the unit; and
• Performs other related duties as required.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS: Good knowledge of child welfare laws, policies and procedures, child development, family systems and risk assessment; good knowledge of community resources; ability to assess a crisis situation and recommend actions; skill in interviewing; ability to apply knowledge in performance of duties; ability to learn required computer systems and programs; ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing; ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions; ability to get along well with subordinates and peers and to secure their cooperation; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others;  ability to understand and empathize with the needs and concerns of others; ability to direct, supervise and accept responsibility for the work of others; ability to interpret the work of the agency; good powers of observation and analysis; initiative and resourcefulness; sensitivity to the reactions of others; tact and courtesy; good judgment; competent computer skills for entry and retrieval of information in a database; physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.

Minimum Qualifications

Applicants must meet all requirements for one of the following qualification options in order to be approved for examination and/or appointment:
 

Qualification Option #	1	2
Training/ Education	Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or university with a Bachelor's degree[1].	Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or university with a Bachelor’s degree1.
General experience	Two years of full-time, paid experience in social work with a public or private agency adhering to acceptable standards; AND One year of the above experience shall be in Child Welfare.	Two years of full-time, paid experience as a Caseworker in a local social services agency in New York State; AND One year of the above experience shall be in Child Welfare.
Supervisory experience	None required.	None required.
License/ Certification	Possession of a valid New York State driver’s license.	Possession of a valid New York State driver’s license.
Other requirements	None required.	None required.

Part-time service will be given prorated credit toward experience requirements.  

Other Qualifications

1. An appropriate driver’s license must be maintained throughout employment and the incumbent must possess an automobile for use on the job.  In the absence of these, alternate means of reliable transportation will be considered.
2. Access to reliable transportation, which may be used to perform job duties, must be maintained throughout employment.
3. A driving record evidencing safe and responsible vehicle operation is required.
4. Must authorize and execute any necessary releases to enable the appointing authority to verify licensure and driving history involving violations and/or crimes.

PROVISIONAL APPOINTMENT NOTICE:
An individual who receives a provisional appointment must take the examination for the position title on the next occasion it is offered. In order to be eligible for a permanent appointment to the position, the provisional appointee must pass the exam and be ranked 1, 2, 3, or be tied in score with the individual ranked number 3 of those who are willing to accept appointment to the position. It should be understood that even if the provisional appointee is eligible for appointment, the employer may choose another candidate to fill the position on a permanent basis. Questions regarding provisional appointments should be directed to the Livingston County Human Resources Department.

NOTE: Livingston County residency is not a requirement for this position. However, Livingston County residents will be given preference in the hiring process.