County Social Services Aide 2 (Local Government) - Northumberland County C&Y (Multiple Vacancies)

Our staff perform a variety of entry level social services duties designed to provide supportive services to children, youth and families. We work in close cooperation with other social service agencies, hospitals, mental health facilities, police, Courts, schools and other community resources in assisting the families.

The Social Services Aide 2 personnel of Northumberland County Children and Youth Services are assigned to the Parent Education Program of the Agency.

Job Duties of these persons are as follows:

• Provide on-going parent education services, both at the Parent Center sites as well as in the home, to parents referred for services.
• Work in close cooperation with other Aides to facilitate individual and group activities for parents, adolescents, and children.
• Prepare daily for activities. These include, but are not limited to, parenting skills building, group therapy, discipline, budgeting, self-esteem building, crafts, etc.
• Organize parents in groups to aide each other with concrete services.
• Interface with therapists holding group sessions at the Parent Center and actively participate in the therapy groups.
• Participate in unit/team meetings to report on the progress of parents receiving parent education services and to review and update client goals.
• Participate in the referral of parents to appropriate community resources.
• Maintain case records sufficient to record the progress, or lack thereof, of each client.
• Participate in day care arrangements for children, if needed.
• Provide transportation services as needed to assist families.
• Attend training sessions as needed to maintain updated knowledge of parenting skills and attend trainings and meetings (staff, supervisory, unit, Children's Clinic) as needed and required.
• Supervise interaction between parents and children as needed and provide instruction on appropriate methods of communication/interaction.
• Administer pre and post testing to parents/clients entering and completing the Parent Center.
• May provide testimony in court as required under the supervision of a professional worker or supervisor.

Physical Job Requirements:

• Mobility/Ability: to travel between office locations, client homes, hospitals, and community sites. This may involve walking, standing, climbing stairs and/or driving.
• Sitting/Standing: Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk or computer, as well as standing or walking when conducting field visits.
• Lifting/Carrying: May require lifting or carrying files, office supplies, small equipment, a child, or an adult (typically up to 25-150+ pounds)
• Reaching/Bending: Regularly required to reach, bend, crouch, or kneel to assist clients or handle paperwork
• Fine Motor Skills: Frequent use of hands for typing, writing, and handling documents.

Mental and Emotional Demands:

• High Stress Tolerance: Ability to manage crisis situations, interact with individuals in distress, and handle potentially volatile situations.
• Communication: Frequent verbal and written communication with clients, families, healthcare providers and legal entities.
• Decision-Making & Problem-Solving: Requires critical thinking to assess client needs, develop care plans, and navigate complex social services.

Work Environment Considerations:

• Client Homes and Community Settings: May encounter unsanitary conditions, pets, smoke, or environmental hazards.
• Potential Safety Risks: Interactions with individuals experiencing severe mental illness, substance use disorders, or behavioral crisis.
• Flexible Schedule: May require evening, weekend, or on-call work depending on agency requirements.

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.
• Telework: You will not have the option to telework in this position.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• One year as a County Social Services Aide 1;or
• Graduation from high school, or its equivalency, and two 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; or
• Any equivalent combination of experience and training.
• Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within 3 months of graduating with a qualifying degree.

Other Requirements:

• This particular position also requires possession of a valid driver's license which is not under suspension.
• You must meet the PA residency requirement. For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Legal Requirements:

• This position falls under the provisions of the Child Protective Services Law.
  • Under the Law, a conditional offer of employment will require submission and approval of satisfactory criminal history reports including, but not limited to, PA State Police clearance, PA Child Abuse history clearance, and FBI Fingerprint clearance.

How to Apply:

• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents willnotbe 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.

Veterans:

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

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.