County Social Casework Intern (College) (Local Government) - Lackawanna County C&Y

Are you searching for an internship that allows you to gain practical experience in the field of casework? Lackawanna County Children & Youth Services is on the lookout for interns with exceptional work ethics to complete our team. As a County Social Casework Intern, you will participate in a structured program, completing intensified on-the-job project assignments. We are dedicated to protecting children, 18 years of age and younger, from abuse and neglect, while working with families to provide a safe and loving permanent home for children. If you are passionate about public service and ready to make a positive impact on your community, we encourage you to apply today!

As a County Social Casework Intern, you will be participating in a structured internship program. This involves formal and on-the-job training, where you will learn how to elicit information from clients to aid them in obtaining a variety of social services. The assignments you will be completing are structured to provide progressively responsible practical work experience involving social work principles. The knowledge you acquire through course curriculum will transform into working skills and upon completion of the internship period, you will have the opportunity to function independently in the field of social sciences. After successful completion of the intern program, you will have learned how to assist:

• Children and members of their families in developing and using their own potential for more adequately resolving their social, health, emotional, and economic problems
• Children and members of their families in utilizing various community resources in meeting their needs
• With providing services to children and members of their families.
• With placement of children and adults in foster and adoptive homes and day care centers
• With counseling and assistance in such specialized areas as home and money management, housing, childcare, child rearing, employment, and living arrangements for children and adolescents
• With specific case coordination and advocacy to effect referrals and increase effectiveness of services

Within this role, you will also be responsible for supporting caseworker staff in all duties including but not limited to:

• Conducting standardized assessments
• Conducting investigations and home visits
• Removing and placing children
• Referring clients to appropriate services
• Conducting collateral calls and team meetings
• Attending staff meetings
• Meeting with agency support staff to decide the best plan of action for client concerns

• Unpaid full-time internship, begins August 2025 and runs approximately through May 2026
• Work hours are 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 60-minute lunch.
• 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.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• Enrollment as a full time student in a bachelor's degree program in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, or other related behavioral science, and completion of 75 credits, including completion of 15 credits in one of the listed majors.

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.

Veterans:

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

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.