Community Service Worker – Office for the Children – Department of Human Services

Organizational Overview:

The mission of the Division of Child Care Resources is to empower Bergen County families by enabling them to provide their children with high-quality childcare that fosters healthy childhood development. Additionally, they are committed to supporting the childcare community through comprehensive education and training programs.

Job Description:           

This employment opportunity will be to serve as the Community Service Worker. Under supervision, performs the field and office work to promote local community resource programs designed to meet the needs of residents; provides referrals to other agencies; does other related work.

Job Responsibilities:              

  • Application Process: Review and screen applications, follow-up with parents to complete the application process.
  • Customer Service: Provide support, education, and services to families in accordance with state and federal policies for child care assistance programs.
  • Policy Adherence: Maintain updated knowledge of program policies and apply procedures consistently as mandated in the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG).
  • Community Outreach: Provide information about the assistance program and ECC to parents and the community as directed by the New Jersey Department of Human Services, Division of Family Development.
  • Assistance Guidance: Inform families about the process and procedures for obtaining child care assistance and their subsequent responsibilities.
  • Timely Response: Ensure response to a request for child care assistance within the specified period as mandated in the grant requirements and Office for Children policy manual.
  • Referrals: Refer parents to a Child Care Resource and Referral Specialist for child care referrals and additional resources.
  • Eligibility Determination: Ensure determination of eligibility within the program mandated timeframe and obtain verification of eligibility factors.
  • Redetermination: Redetermine program eligibility as per guidelines defined by CCDBG.
  • Rights Information: Inform parents of their right to appeal an office decision.
  • Agreements: Issue Preliminary Parent and Provider Agreement (PAPA) within mandated time frames to eligible applicants for provider services selection.
  • Admissions Criteria: Adhere to unique admissions criteria for each funding stream in accordance with Division of Family Development (DFD) policy.
  • Record Maintenance: Maintain case records in accordance with county, state, and federal standards.
  • Provider Referrals: Refer self-arranged providers (FFN) to the Family Child Care Unit for home inspection.
  • System Proficiency: Attain proficiency in the CARES and WLS online data management systems.
  • Technical Assistance: Provide technical assistance to clients and providers as requested.
  • Complaint Handling: Follow the mandated DFD process for complaints received

Schedule:   

  • Full time (40 hours/week).  
  • Seasonal overtime during Summer and Fall
  • Weekends and evenings from July – September as needed for application volume

Education Requirements: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s degree is preferred. Relevant experience will be considered

Other Requirements:

  • Bilingual English – Spanish is preferred
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Teams, Word, Outlook and Excel programs.
  • Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office or related units.
  • Appointees will be required to possess a driver’s license valid in New Jersey which is necessary to perform essential duties of the position.

What we offer:

  • Health, Dental, and Vision Coverage
  • Enrollment into the state pension system
  • Life, Short-term Disability & Long-term Disability coverage
  • Generous Paid Time Off
  • Voluntary Deferred Compensation Plan
  • Tuition Reimbursement
  • Employee Assistance and Employee Wellness Programs

Salary: $44,000 / per annum

Please send resume and employment application to resume@bergencountynj.gov – put in subject line job applying for, thank you.

The County of Bergen is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer.

It has been and will continue to be a fundamental policy of The County of Bergen not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, gender, gender identity, pregnancy, marital status, partnership status, domestic violence victim status, sexual orientation, age, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, veteran or military status, disability, medical condition, genetic information, caregiver status, unemployment status or any other characteristic prohibited by federal, state and/or local laws.

The County of Bergen complies with the New Jersey First Act. An employee’s primary residence must be within the State of New Jersey, or the employee will have 365 days (1 Year) from their date of hire to satisfy the requirement of principal residency.