Wayne County Children and Youth Services is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Independent Living Caseworker. This role involves providing case management and support to youth, assisting them in developing skills for independence and successful adult outcomes. Applicants should possess strong organizational abilities, sound judgment, and effective communication skills. Training provided. Excellent benefits package.
This position focuses on helping transition-aged youth build independence by providing guidance, skill development, and supportive casework.
As a County Caseworker 1, you will perform the following duties:
- Needs Assessment: Conduct assessments and create individualized Independent Living Plans
- Skill Development: Provide hands-on guidance for life skills, education planning, employment strategies, and housing stability
- Youth Engagement: Build rapport with youth and model pro-social behaviors in various settings
- Record Keeping: Maintain accurate records and reports of youth progress and program activities
- Activity Facilitation: Organize and lead life skills groups and community service events
- Collaboration Support: Attend court hearings and meet with treatment providers and partners to advocate for youth
Work Schedule and Additional Information:
- Full-time employment, 37.5 hours per week.
- Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday - Friday, with 1-hour lunch.
- Once a caseworker is trained, normal working hours from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM may be flexed to coincide with consumer needs.
- Employee may have overnight travel or out of County travel on a monthly basis.
- Employee may have irregular hours, including evenings or weekends.
- Caseworkers may be put on a rotation for on-call services which will include nights and weekends.
- 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:
- Two years of experience as a County Social Services Aide 3 and two years of college level course work which includes 12 college credits in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, criminal justice, or other related social sciences; or
- A bachelor's degree which includes or is supplemented by successful completion of 12 college credits in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, criminal justice, or other related social sciences; or
- Any equivalent combination of experience and training which includes 12 college credits in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, criminal justice, or other related social sciences and one year of experience as a County Social Services Aide 3 or in a similar position performing paraprofessional case management functions.
- Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within two months of graduating with a qualifying degree/credits.
Other Requirements:
- PA residency requirement is currently waived for this title.
- You must be able to perform essential job functions.
Legal Requirements:
- You must pass a background investigation.
- A conditional offer of employment will require a drug screening.
- 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 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.

