Child Welfare Aide

Starting Compensation:

$34,721.53/Annually

Find job security and stability alongside a growing community and a team that supports you. Level up your career through a large network and specialty training.

If you're passionate about making a difference, apply today to join us in serving the community!

Job Description:

Job Summary

• This is a paraprofessional aide position with the Lancaster County Children & Youth Agency’s Quality Assurance Unit.
• This employee will provide casework support for various child welfare activities throughout the Agency, including interviewing, transport and monitoring parent child visitation at the Agency and in the community.
• This position requires a flexible schedule and will include nontraditional hours and/or overtime.   

Essential Job Functions

• Assists with or conducts interviews to obtain or verify information necessary to determine eligibility or continued need for a wide variety of Children and Youth services.
• Plans, schedules, conducts or accompanies Caseworkers on home visits. 
• Shares observations and assessments with Caseworkers and Supervisors.
• Provides training to parents and family members in home management activities in the following areas:  budgeting, nutrition, personal hygiene, problem solving, accessing community resources, discipline techniques, care and maintenance of the home, care of the children, general parenting skills, etc.
• Supervises Court-ordered and non-Court-ordered visitations.
• Observes client and family strengths and problem areas and regularly communicates updated information to Caseworkers and Casework Supervisors. 
• Assists and encourages clients to use available community resources by providing information and referrals.
• Schedules, coordinates and provides transportation for families and children involved with the Children and Youth Agency.
• Provide testimony in court cases as determined by the Supervisor and Agency Solicitor.
• Provide transportation to clients utilizing personal or agency vehicles.
• Must have daily access to reliable transportation.

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduation from high school or its equivalency and two years of experience in public contact work in a human services agency, which includes one year of experience in interviewing and obtaining information; or
• An Associate’s degree in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, and criminal justice or other related social sciences.
• Or an equivalent combination of experience and training.
• Knowledge of interviewing methods and techniques.
• Knowledge of community resources.
• Knowledge of child development.
• Knowledge of social, economic and health problems and corresponding resources.
• Knowledge of federal, state and county rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of computer software, such as: Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Ability to evaluate and analyze information obtained through interviews and general observation, reports, records, and other sources and to provide information to clients, families and social service and/or administrative staff.
• Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with clients, families, agency staff and other community agencies.
• Ability to provide structured and unstructured life skills instructions and guidance to consumers as needed.
• Ability to operate a personal computer, cell phone and digital camera.
• Ability to practice organizational and stress management skills and to practice use of good judgement.

Required Licenses/Certifications/Clearances

Required Prior To Active Employment:

• Pennsylvania ChildLine Child abuse History Clearance
• Acceptable PA State Police Criminal Record Clearance
• Acceptable FBI Fingerprint Clearances completed through the required PA DHS vendor
• *Clearances may be no more than one year old at the time of employment will be accepted.

• Acceptable Drug Screening

Physical Requirements/Work Environment

• Bending, lifting, turning and repetitive motion to answer phones is required
• This position has been identified as having the potential for exposure to Hepatitis B.

The County of Lancaster offers comprehensive benefits to our employees.  Read more about our benefits here.

Lancaster County Government provides Equal Employment Opportunity for all persons regardless of race, religion, age, sex, national origin, genetic information or disability. The County also observes all applicable laws regarding Veterans status. The County reflects this action in all areas of employment and compensation practices and policies. Employment with the County is based upon the ability to perform the job as well as dependability and reliability once an individual is hired.