POSITION SUMMARY:

Provide leadership, oversight, and direction to assigned Placement Units and serve as the County's Children & Youth Services (CYS) Court Administrator. Specific to Juvenile Court, the manager participates in all court hearings with the Juvenile Court Judges, providing case summaries, agency recommendations, and other related follow-ups. The manager ensures the compliance of Court Orders, scheduling, notification, and related activities, including coordination of Placement Court Reviews, administrative reviews, and provision of attorney services.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:

Essential Functions

The duties and responsibilities of this position include, but are not necessarily limited to:

• Ensure compliance with laws, Department of Human Services regulations, and Federal requirements specific to agency placement functions, as well as all county CYS policies and procedures.
• Provide leadership and technical assistance to each subordinate supervisor, resolve conflicts, and render decisions on case issues as required.      Provide direct supervision of unit personnel in the absence of a unit supervisor.
• Perform public relations activities, such as public speaking, training (including intra-agency), and representing the agency at various community meetings, as assigned.
• Work cooperatively with administrative/management staff to provide and gather statistical information, generate reports, and implement policies and procedures and agency automation plans.
• Participate in candidate interviews and offer recommendations for hire; perform employee orientation of new employees.
• Provide backup to other positions, as needed.
• Complete other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
• Occasionally travel on an as-needed basis for training and to complete assigned duties.

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Master's degree in Social Work, Social Welfare, Public Administration, or a closely related field.
• Five years of progressively responsible experience in the field of social services or child welfare, with administrative or supervisory experience in a children and youth social services program agency.
• Any equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Valid Pennsylvania driver's license.
• State police, FBI, and ChildLine clearances

MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Working knowledge of current case management and social work principles, practices, and methodologies.
• Working knowledge of the Child Protective Services Law and Juvenile Act.
• Working knowledge of individual and group behavior and the interrelationship between social, economic, psychological, and general physiological factors.
• Working knowledge of current social, economic, and health problems and available resources.
• Working knowledge of the principles of supervision, organization, and administration and coordinating the work of professional and nonprofessional personnel.
• Ability to plan, organize, direct, and coordinate a social service program.
• Ability to orient and instruct subordinates on laws, regulations, rules, policies, and procedures appropriate to the position.
• Ability to make clear and pertinent statements, both orally and in writing. 
• Ability to establish and maintain working relationships.
• Ability to handle stress.
• Physical presence in the office is required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Work involves standing, walking, sitting, lifting, carrying, talking, hearing, using hands to handle and feel objects, tools, or controls, and reaching with hands and arms.  Vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds at a distance of fifteen feet or less.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

Normal office environment 

This position description serves as a guideline for communicating the essential functions and other information about the position to the applicant/employee. It is not intended to create a binding employment contract nor cover every detail of the position and may be changed where appropriate.

About Us

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

The County of Berks provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, political affiliation or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

About Us:

Berks County is a combination of rich farm country, industry, beautiful parks, entertainment, and top-notch educational institutions. Whether you are interested in County services, the availability of our parks, tax rates, or other ?county information, this is the place to start.

About the Team

Mission Statement:

It is the mission of Berks County government and all County employees to administer and deliver services to the citizens of the County in the most effective, efficient and professional manner possible within the constraints of the financial resources available.