County Social Services Aide 3 (Local Government) - Union County

Are you committed to making a positive impact in the everyday lives of children and families in your community? If so, consider joining the Union County Department of Human Services Office of Children and Youth Services as a Social Services Aide 3. This position gives you the opportunity to utilize your professional background to carry out tailored services designed for each family's unique needs. Join us in our mission of protecting the rights and welfare of children and ensuring they have an opportunity for healthy growth and development, free from abuse and/or neglect!

As a County Social Services Aide 3, you will be responsible for supporting children and families involved in the child welfare system by coordinating and supervising visitation services with the goal of safe family reunification. Work involves developing individualized visitation plans, scheduling and facilitating visits, and providing transportation as needed. You will have the opportunity to offer coaching and parenting instructions during visits, using established resources to strengthen family relationships and parenting skills. This position also works closely with casework staff and families to deliver and adapt services identified in family service plans, ensuring support is provided for each family's needs while promoting child safety, stability, and well-being. Additional responsibilities include:

• Preparing detailed visitation reports and court summaries
• Assisting caseworkers and supervisors with decisions related to visitation and permanency planning
• Testifying at court hearings
• Supporting risk and safety assessments
• Helping families build essential life skills such as budgeting, home management, conflict resolution, and appropriate discipline

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment
• Work hours are 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch. After hours work may be required.
• Telework: You will not have the option to telework in this position.
• Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• One year as a County Social Services Aide 2; or
• Graduation from high school, or its equivalency, and three years of experience in public contact work in a human services agency which included one year of experience in interviewing and obtaining information; or
• An associate's degree in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, criminal justice, or other related social sciences, and one year of experience in a human services agency; or
• Any equivalent combination of experience and training.

Other Requirements:

• You must meet the PA residency requirement. For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency.
• Hiring preference for this vacancy may be given to candidates who live within Union County. If no eligible candidates who live within Union County apply for this position, candidates who reside in other counties may be considered.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Legal Requirements:

• A conditional offer of employment will require submission of criminal history reports. See hiring agency contact information.
• A conditional offer of employment will require a drug screening.

How to Apply:

• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
• If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.
• All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant's own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.

Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. *7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
• You must provide complete and accurate information or:
  • your score may be lower than deserved.
  • you may be disqualified.
• You may only apply/test once for this posting.
• Your results will be provided via email.