GPS Specialist is responsible for providing casework services, including assesing the safety and well being of children as well as coordinating services for children and families. GPS Specialist participates in child investigations to ensure compliance with the Child Protective Services Law and the Juvenile Act.
Examples of GPS Specialist duties:
Access: Assess calls, determine response level and provide resource and referral information.
Intake: Conduct abuse/ dependency investigations within identified time frames.
In-home: Provide services to client children and families when the children can remain in the home.
Purchased & Foster Care: Work with families with children in out-of-home placement.
Adoption: Provide services to families with children in out-of-home placement; goal of permanency.
- Assess situation to determine if child is at risk of harm in accordance with regulatory guidelines.
- Learn how to complete child abuse investigations including "more difficult cases" / serious physical harm and sexual abuse under the direct supervision of a casework specialist supervisor or manager..
- Learn how to complete child abuse investigations of more complicated cases under the direct supervision of a casework specialist supervisor or manager.
- Learn and understand the application of the Child Protective Services Law and Juvenile Act.
- Learn and understand the application of court process and procedure.
- Assess client needs to develop individual treatment plans in accordance with regulatory guidelines.
- Skilled writer; timely written assessments, reports and summations.
- Ensure coordination and implementation of plan.
- Monitor client participation/ progress in programs as per established case management standards.
- Make necessary referrals and coordinate services.
- Produce and maintain reports/ records/ client tracking system in accordance with regulations and agency policies to reflect services needs, social services provided and case outcomes.
- Attend conferences/ meeting with collateral agencies as they relate to client services.
- Attend training throughout the year.
- Maintain a professional public image per county and agency policy.
- Perform other duties, tasks and special projects as required.
- The GPS Specialist position comes under the provision of the Child Protective Services Law. Pennsylvania State Police, Childline and FBI clearances are required.If your background is unacceptable, you will be disqualified for employment in this position.
- A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in the Social Sciences: Anthropology, Counseling, Criminology, Gerontology, Human Behavior/Development, Psychology, Social Work/Welfare, Sociology, Special Education, Human Services, Women's and Gender Studies, Administration of Justice, Criminal Justice, Economics, Geography, History, Political Science OR
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with 12 credits in the Social Sciences with one year of employment experience in the human services field;
- Must have a valid driver's license and use of a private vehicle.
Preferred Skills, Knowledge & Experience:Two years of experience in the human services field.
- A Bachelor's degree in Social Work from an accredited college or university
- Master's degree from an accredited college or university in the Social Sciences
Relevant background checks, clearances, physicals, drug tests, and any other assessments or evaluations will be conducted after an offer of employment is given per County policy.Computer Skills:To perform this job successfully, an individual should have:
- Basic Word skills
- Basic OutLook skills (Email and Calendar)
- Basic Internet skills (for research purposes)
