Casework Assistant

The Department of Social Services is currently seeking a Casework Assistant for their Family and Children's Services division.

Under general supervision, an employee in this class performs paraprofessional duties of supportive service functions associated with the implementation and delivery of agency programs and services. Employees in this class are assigned to a Family and Children's Services unit responsible for conducting parent-child visitation.  The incumbent assists professional Caseworkers in the facilitation and supervision of visitation between children and their parent/guardian. The incumbent must exercise some independent judgement when assessing risk and safety of the children and while ensuring the conditions of court orders and/or orders of protection are being properly followed. Work involves considerable telephone or personal contact with clients and the general public. Supervision is received through conferences and review of work completed by a professional social service worker or administrative supervisor.

*Does related work as required.

Key Elements Of The Role:

• Provides Caseworker with information (e.g., family progress, conflicts, interactions) gathered during supervised visits;

• Transports children and or parent/guardian to and from supervised visitations;

• Responsible for contacting family members to determine the location of supervised visit;

• Enters pertinent information into computer systems;

• Updates case records with information gathered during supervised visits;

• May retrieve children from other jurisdictions;

• May testify in court when necessary;

• Provides supervision and coaching during parent-child visits;

Salary: $38,369

*This position does not offer relocation assistance at this time

**Sponsorship is not available for this role

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

OPEN COMPETITIVE

• Graduation from a college with federally-authorized accreditation or registration by New York State with an Associate's Degree.

PROMOTIONAL
One (1) year of permanent competitive status as a Community Service Worker or Community Service Worker (Spanish Speaking)

ADDITIONAL POSITION DETAILS:

• Some knowledge of federal, state and public welfare laws, programs and operations of the courts

• A basic understanding of principles and practices of social casework

• Ability to deal effectively and objectively with individuals of diverse socio-economic backgrounds and culture

• Ability to exercise sound judgement within the framework of agency regulations in unexpected crisis situations

• Ability to summarize pertinent facts and observations both orally and in writing

• Ability to navigate different computer programs

• Ability to follow oral and written instructions

• Physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.

BENEFITS:

·Full Medical for member and qualifying dependents through Suffolk County Employee Medical Health Plan: Employee contribution: 2.4% of base salary (or a minimum of $1,500 per year)

·Tuition reimbursement available for work (approval based) related continued education.

·Flexible Spending Account (employee contribution) is available for Dependent Care $5,000 Maximum and Health Expenses $2,850 Maximum

·13 Calendar year holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Day, Lincoln's Birthday, Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Election Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day.

·Vacation Time: During the first year, employees are entitled to 10 Vacation days, earned at the rate of 2.75 per pay period totaling 10 days annually. Employees continue to earn vacation days in accordance with the schedule, reaching a maximum of 30 days per year. Unused vacation time rolls over each year until a maximum of 420 hours.

·Sick Time: Earned at the rate of 1/2 day per pay period totaling 13 days annually. Unused sick time rolls over each year, with no maximum rollover.

·Personal Leave: An employee granted 4 days of personnel leave each year. Employees receive 7.5 hours on their 1st day and will accrue one additional day every quarter. After employee first anniversary, 28 hours of personal days will be frontloaded at the beginning of each year worked. Unused personal time rolls over into sick each year with no maximum rollover.

·Salary: Step increase every 12 months on July 1 completed year of service in addition to contractual raises through 2024.

·Membership in the New York State Retirement Pension System 5 year vested. In order to retire with Health benefits you need to work 10 continuous years with the county and be 55.

Suffolk County Municipal Employees Benefit Fund.

·Short Term and Long Term Disability

·Dental and optical coverage

·Annual Prescription, hearing aid and specialist co-pay reimbursement

·All Members receive $70,000 of guaranteed life insurance at no cost.

·Financial and Retirement planning assistance

·Tax preparation reimbursement

·Legal assistance benefits

·Bereavement and survivor death benefits

·Identity & Fraud Protection

This Role Is A Provisional Appointment 

A provisional appointment, which occurs only in the competitive class, is a temporary appointment to a position for which no eligible list exists or for which an eligible list exists with fewer than three candidates who are willing to accept the position. In order to become permanent, the employee who is provisionally appointed must take the next examination for the position in question. The appointment to the position is then made from among the three highest scoring passing candidates who indicate their willingness to accept the position. Civil Service law does not compel the appointing authority to choose the provisional employee should he or she be one of the three candidates 

Additional details regarding a Provisional Appointment can be reviewed at: 

https://www.suffolkcountyny.gov/Departments/Civil-Service/faqs 

Suffolk County’s Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion & Equity:

• Our focus is to promote, support, and implement the County-wide diversity and inclusion strategic plan.
• We achieve results in all our responsibilities through the use of diversity and inclusion best practices.
• We maintain a familiarity with Diversity & Inclusion trends and best practices.

Suffolk County is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against applicants or employees on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, disability that can be reasonably accommodated without undue hardship, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, citizenship, marital or veteran status, or any other legally protected status.