Childline Caseworker

Make a difference in the lives of children! The Department of Human Services is seeking a compassionate and caring Childline Caseworker to join our team in the Office of Children, Youth, and Families. As a member of our team, you'll be part of a diverse network that supports and strengthens families in Pennsylvania to provide safe, nurturing and healthy environments for children. If you are looking forward to a rewarding career, apply today!

In this position, you will be taking child abuse and neglect reports by phone. Your work will involve processing reports of suspected child abuse and neglect from mandated and non-mandated reporters, providing them to the appropriate investigating agency and processing investigation outcomes. You will inform callers of their legal rights and explain that all referrals are treated confidentially. You will also exhibit professionalism, empathy, and compassion when dealing with emotional, anxious, or reluctant callers. Some of your duties will include interviewing callers to determine the facts, searching the statewide database for previous referrals, and referring reports made to the appropriate investigative agency. Additionally, you will assist callers in obtaining appropriate contact information for social service agencies.

Please know that you will be handling child abuse calls, which means you will be hearing and discussing disturbing child abuse details which could include physical abuse, sexual abuse, and the death of a child.

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment, 37.5 hours per week
• Hotline coverage is ensured through shift work on a 24/7 basis. Shifts are determined based on seniority and are subject to change based on operational needs. The current available shifts being offered are as follows and can have varying break days that may be any two consecutive days within the seven-day period:
  • 12:00 AM to 8:00 AM
  • 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM
  • 3:00 PM to 11:00 PM
  • 5:00 PM to 1:00 AM
• You may have an opportunity to bid into these shifts as positions become available, based on seniority:
  • 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM
  • 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
  • 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
• Due to operational demands, there are opportunities for voluntary overtime. Any remaining overtime needs will result in mandated overtime. Mandated overtime can be scheduled any time outside of your regularly scheduled shift, including break days and holidays. Incumbents in this position should expect to work overtime on a weekly basis, averaging 10 hours per week.
• ChildLine is located at 2525 North 7th Street, Harrisburg, PA 17110. This is the only work location in the Commonwealth for this position. Training will consist of in-office and virtual learning and typically lasts three months. Training hours will mostly be 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM but will consist of other shifts as needed. The first 2 weeks of training will be held in our office in Harrisburg.
• Free parking!
• Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time up to 3 days a week. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in Harrisburg. An employee's work from home location must be within reasonable travel distance to headquarters, as you will be expected to travel to the office with or without advanced notice.
• Salary: Selected candidates who are new to employment within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will begin employment at the starting annual salary of $51,971.00 (before taxes).
• 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:

• A bachelor's degree; or
• An equivalent combination of experience and training.
• Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within three months of graduating with a qualifying degree.

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 Guidelines.
• 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 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 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.