Job Information
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania County Children Youth Families Program Specialist 1 (Local Government) - Luzerne in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania
Reference #: 4420968 THE POSITION Do you want to help make a difference with children and families in day-to-day life events? If so, Luzerne County Children & Youth Services is looking for people like you! We have an immediate need for a Program Specialist 1 within our Children, Youth, and Families agency. Located in northeastern Pennsylvania, Luzerne County government offers many exciting and challenging opportunities to learn and grow in a career while making a difference in the lives of the families who reside here. Join our mission and apply today!
DESCRIPTION OF WORK As a Program Specialist 1, your primary role for this position is to locate and engage family or kinship for purposes of kinship placements, supporting the family, and locating families and/or disengaged parents. Methods to locate will include but are not limited to the Kevin Campbell Family Finding model, Family Group Decision Making, various internet/social media searches, face to face contacts, diligent, and Accurint searches.
Family Finding practitioners shall employ a variety of effective and immediate techniques to identify relatives and other meaningful connections. You will be expected to create a large group of people to form a collective, unconditional, and committed network for the child. You will also meet face to face with all verbal children and parents to complete a Family Tree and conduct interviews with various family members or involved parties or to solicit resources.
Our ideal candidate needs to be assertive in all efforts to locate parents who are not actively involved with the case and/or child. Mobility Mapping and Life Connections Mapping will be completed with all children. This professional also facilitates blended meetings and/or Family Group Decision Making Meetings to include natural and provider supports. You may also be required to work in the field when there is an identified safety threat and work in conjunction with Crisis Rapid Response to locate kinship resources to alleviate immediate safety threats.
Work Schedule and Additional Information: Full-time employment Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch. 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. REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY
QUALIFICATIONS Minimum Experience and Training Requirements: Two years of professional level experience in the field of children, youth and families; and a bachelor's degree; or Any equivalent combination of experience and training.
Other Requirements: You must meet the . For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the and click on Residency. 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.
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.
Veterans:
Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. *7103) provides employment preference for qu lified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to and click the Veterans' Preference tab or contact us at .
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. EXAMINATION INFORMATION
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.
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.