Treatment Caseworker (Berks County Jail System)

About the role

The Treatment Caseworker conducts intake interviews and assessments, provides orientation for newly committed inmates, and performs case management duties including classification assessments, institutional parole summaries, referrals, visitation schedules, and networking on behalf of inmates.

Responsibilities

• Conducts intake interviews, assessments, and screens, including the Level of Service Inventory, completes referrals to appropriate programs and services after assessment, and completes classification of inmates within the first 48 hours of admission.
• Provides orientation to newly committed inmates within the first 48 hours of admission.
• Organizes, gathers, and creates paperwork for inmate files, and tracks which inmates need completed intakes.
• Addresses inmate concerns through case management on units, which may include completing institutional parole summaries and classification reassessments.
• Serves as liaison to community service providers, which may include parole authorities, court officials, and treatment service providers.
• Performs data gathering, record keeping, and limited clerical functions as required, which may include casework notes and reassessment schedules.
• Collects and date stamps communication forms from units and distributes answered communication forms to inmates.
• Completes any other duties as assigned by the Deputy Warden of Treatment, Clinical Counseling Supervisor, or Treatment Supervisor.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Counseling, Social Work, or other closely related field from an accredited college or university.
• One (1) year of documented experience in an agency of government setting.
• Possess any equivalent combination of experience and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of counseling theories.
• Awareness of multicultural issues in counseling.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to prioritize and organize multiple tasks to meet deadlines.
• Ability to handle and operate personal computers, copiers, printers, radios, keys, telephones, and other office equipment.
• Ability to work independently on a variety of duties.
• Ability to train new staff in all duties of a treatment caseworker.
• Ability to oversee and train interns in all duties of a treatment caseworker.
• Ability to meet all employment criteria established by the Berks County Jail System, which may include a job interview, urine drug screen, physical/health assessment, criminal background check, aptitude assessment, psychological assessment, and interview by a psychologist.
• Ability to meet standards established by the PA DOC in PA Code Title 37.
• Knowledge of the ethical standards as outlined by the American Psychological Association.
• Ability to handle stress.
• Physical presence in the office is required.

Physical Demands

• Position requires sitting and typing for extended periods.
• Work involves talking, hearing, reaching overhead, climbing stairs, using hands to handle and feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Vision abilities required include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
• Employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to lift and carry files and documents weighing up to and including twenty-five (25) pounds.
• Ability to ambulate frequently to all departments and areas within the facility.
• Ability to stand for periods up to two (2) hours.
• Ability to sit for periods up to two (2) hours.
• Ability to pull and open grilled gates and unit doors.
• Ability to reach overhead at a whole arm's length.

Working Environment

• Requires working within the confines of a secure facility.
• Requires working in loud, small, and communal workspaces.
• Requires working in an environment where personal safety may be of concern.
• Requires working in an environment where there is the possibility of foul odors.
• Requires working in an environment where cameras are present and utilized.