ChildLine Caseworker

THE POSITION

Become a ChildLine Caseworker with the Office of Children, Youth and Families and support a mission that truly matters. This position allows you to assist reporters, gather facts, and help connect families with the right investigative agencies. You will handle sensitive information with professionalism and clarity while guiding serious decisions. This is a vital role for anyone seeking a meaningful career focused on protecting children and strengthening communities—apply today!

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

This position focuses on receiving reports of suspected child abuse or neglect and routing them to the correct investigative agencies. It requires careful communication, strong judgment, and consistent application of laws and policies. As a ChildLine Caseworker, you will perform the following duties:

• Caller Support: Inform callers of their rights and explain confidentiality during referrals
• Referral Assessment: Interview callers and determine the nature and key facts of each referral
• Database Review: Search the statewide system for past reports connected to the caller or referral
• Law Application: Apply Child Protective Services Law (CPSL) rules and policies to guide decisions on each report
• Report Processing: Analyze and refer reports to appropriate investigative agencies for action
• Outcome Review: Review investigation results for accuracy before final approval in the database

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment, 37.5 hours per week
• Hotline coverage is ensured through shift work on a 24/7 basis. Shifts are determined based on seniority and are subject to change based on operational needs. The current available shifts being offered are as follows and can have varying break days that may be any two consecutive days within the seven-day period: 
  • 12:00 AM to 8:00 AM 
  • 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM 
  • 3:00 PM to 11:00 PM 
  • 5:00 PM to 1:00 AM
• You may have an opportunity to bid into these shifts as positions become available, based on seniority:
  • 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM
  • 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
  • 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
• Due to operational demands, there are opportunities for voluntary overtime. Any remaining overtime needs will result in mandated overtime. Mandated overtime can be scheduled any time outside of your regularly scheduled shift, including break days and holidays. Incumbents in this position should expect to work overtime on a weekly basis, averaging 10 hours per week. 
• Training hours will mostly be 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, but will consist of other shifts as needed. Training typically lasts three months.
• ChildLine is located at 2525 North 7th Street, Harrisburg, PA 17110. This is the only work location in the Commonwealth for this position. 
• Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time up to 2 days per week. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you will be required to report to the headquarters office in Harrisburg. Your work from home location must be within reasonable travel distance to headquarters, as you will be expected to travel to the office with or without advanced notice. The ability to telework is subject to change at any time. Additional details may be provided during the interview.
• Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY

QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• A bachelor’s degree; or
• An equivalent combination of experience and training.
• Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within 3 months of graduating with a qualifying degree.

Other Requirements:

• You must meet the PA residency requirement. For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency Guidelines. 
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Legal Requirement:

• 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.

This position is subject to the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement or memorandum of understanding.

You must be eligible for selection in accordance with merit system employment regulations.

Recruitment Methods:

• Applicants must meet one of the following methods to be considered for this vacancy: 
  • Promotion Without Exam
  • Reassignment (Only current civil service employees in the same agency who hold the same or similar job title, with the same maximum salary, within the same occupational group or where there is a logical career movement, will qualify for reassignment.) 
  • Transfer (Only current civil service employees who hold the same job title will qualify for transfer to another agency.)
  • Voluntary Demotion
  • Reinstatement (Former civil service employees may only be reinstated to the job title from which they resigned. Current civil service employees are not eligible through reinstatement.)

Promotion Without Examination (PWOE):

• Class Restrictions for Promotion Without Examination Only - You must have or have held regular civil service status in one of the following classifications:
  • County Caseworker 1 (Local Government)
  • Juvenile Justice Specialist
• Employees who previously held regular civil service status in the job title of the position being filled are also eligible for promotion without examination.
• The promotion without examination requirements are issued in accordance with merit system employment regulations.
• Meritorious service is defined as (a) the absence of any discipline above the level of written reprimand during the 12 months preceding the closing date of the posting, and (b) the last regular or probationary performance evaluation showing an overall rating of satisfactory or higher. 
• Applicants must have a minimum of one year in the next lower class(es) by the posting closing date with no break in service. 

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.
• All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant’s own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

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.

Benefits

Learn more about our Total Rewards by watching this short video!

See the total value of your benefits package by exploring our benefits calculator.

Health & Wellness

We offer multiple health plans so our employees can choose what works best for themselves and their families. Our comprehensive benefits package includes health coverage, vision, dental, and wellness programs.*

Compensation & Financial Planning
We invest in our employees by providing competitive wages and encouraging financial wellness by offering multiple ways to save money and ensure peace of mind including multiple retirement and investment plan options. 

Work/Life Balance
We know there’s more to life than just work! Our generous paid leave benefits include paid vacation, paid sick leave, eight weeks of paid parental leave, military leave, and paid time off for most major U.S. holidays, as well as flexible work schedules and work-from-home opportunities.* 

Values and Culture
We believe in the work we do and provide continual opportunities for our employees to grow and contribute to the greater good. As one of the largest employers in the state, we provide opportunities for internal mobility, professional development, and the opportunity to give back by participating in workplace charitable giving.

Employee Perks
Sometimes, it is the little “extras” that make a big difference. Our employees receive special employee-only discounts and rates on a variety of services and memberships.

For more information on all of these Total Rewards benefits, please visit www.employment.pa.gov and click on the benefits box.

*Eligibility rules apply.

Supplemental Questions

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Agency Information

EmployerCommonwealth of PennsylvaniaAddress 613 North Street

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 17120 Website http://www.employment.pa.gov