PINS Caseworker

Description

Summary/Objective: 

In partnership with the Jefferson County Department of Social Services (JCDSS), the Person’s In Need of Supervision (PINS) Caseworker provides intensive home and community-based preventative services for youth ages 11-18 who are at risk of out-of-home placement. The primary goal of the Program is to avoid out-of-home placement and family disruption in cases of serious child/youth misbehavior. The Program is designed to help youth identify the underlying issues which resulted in their behaviors and assist them in learning new skills to reduce their risk of school referrals, school truancy, and criminal behaviors while becoming productive members of the community. The Program helps youth develop appropriate coping skills to handle emotional stressors, and access necessary services within their community. The Caseworker will hold a caseload up to ten youth at a time. 

Essential Functions:

1. As assigned, maintains a caseload of referred/enrolled program youth
2. Within 72 business hours of referral, conducting assessments and intake of referred youth and family
3. Provides intensive home and community-based services to families 
4. Actively participates as part of the treatment team and in accordance with the treatment plan, makes referrals to outside      agencies
5. To monitor progress and compliance, obtains regular updates from all service providers 
6. Performs the basic accountability tasks related to the job including compiling and maintaining all necessary records 
7. Completes all documents required by CHJC and the Jefferson County Department of Social Services in a timely manner
8. Assists in the collection of program data and satisfaction surveys 
9. As needed, attends Court hearings/proceedings, regular monthly meetings with JCDSS, school meetings and other activities 
10. Completes all necessary progress notes, discharge reports, as well as treatment plans. in the Electronic Medical Record (EMR)
11. Assesses barriers to engagement of youth and family and uses problem solving strategies to overcome barriers 
12. Responds to crisis in the home and or community
13.  Provides in-school support as needed, assist youth in getting to school
14. Facilitates/provides Life Skill education to all program youth, either in a group setting or individually
15. To promote Community Service and Civic Engagement seek out volunteer opportunities for

Work Environment:

Works both in an office setting and off-site/during in-home visits with program participants 

Requirements

Physical Demands:

Standing, walking, memory, concentration, sitting for long periods of time, hearing, carrying, speaking, writing, bending, pulling, problem solving, reaching, kneeling, running, seeing, reading, climbing, pushing.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

Full-Time/37.5 hours per week

Traditional hours required along with some occasional non-traditional hours. This position is required to work on-site, and offsite/in home visits.

Non-exempt position

Travel:

Travel throughout Jefferson County is required.

Required Education and Experience: 

Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Social Work, Counseling, or a related human service profession area. Two years’ experience working with youth at risk. Familiarity with the Family Court System, and Department of Social Services. The Caseworker must possess the written and verbal skills to effectively communicate with his/her co-workers, families, clients, and other service providers involved. The Caseworker must be grounded in an understanding of cognitive, emotional, and chronological maturation of children and adolescents.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications:

Must maintain privacy of confidential information. Successful completion of routine pre-employment requirements as mandated by the New York State Department of Health, Office of Mental Health and Office of Children and Family Services along with ongoing clearances and exclusion checks. These requirements are to include employment health requirements, reference checks, criminal background checks/fingerprinting, State Central Registry clearance and your eligibility to work in the United States. A valid NYS driver’s license required. Corporate Compliance, HIPAA Privacy Security, and Workplace Harassment and Discrimination Training and Nonviolent Crisis Intervention, First Aid and CPR will be required following date of hire.