Caseworker 2 - Children, Youth & Families - CPS/GPS Ongoing

County of Northampton; Bethlehem (Northampton County); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Northampton County is seeking a Caseworker 2 for the Children, Youth & Families CPS/GPS program. This full-time professional position provides a full range of social services to children and families in need, reporting to a County Casework Supervisor or Program Manager.

The role emphasizes family-focused assessment, court involvement, and coordination with community resources, with opportunities for growth through Direct Service Worker certification and ongoing training.

Qualifications

• Six months of experience as a County Caseworker 1 or successful completion of the County Social Casework Intern program.
• Bachelor’s degree with a Social Welfare major or a degree with 12 credits in Sociology, Social Welfare, Psychology, Gerontology, Criminal Justice or related social sciences.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record; mileage reimbursement available.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct services to children and families or refer to other social service agencies.
• Prepare documents and correspondence per federal/state laws and county policies.
• Participate in court hearings, internal/external meetings, and Multi-Disciplinary Team activities.
• Review case assessments with supervisor and ensure timely service, establish schedules for staffing when appropriate.
• Acquire and maintain Direct Service Worker certification and pursue ongoing professional development.

Skills

Case management

Community coordination

Policy & law understanding

Interviews & assessment

Confidentiality practices

English communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Social Welfare

12 college credits in Sociology/Related social sciences

Six months experience as County Caseworker 1 or completed internship

Job description

For questions regarding this posting, please contact Kimberly Lorenzoni, Human Resources Position Specialist, [e-mail] or 610-829-6372.

Equal Employment Opportunities – It is the policy of Northampton County to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, sex, gender identity, gender expression, age, genetic information, disability, or any other status protected by the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and any other state, federal, or local law.

The Caseworker 2 – Children, Youth & Families CPS/GPS Ongoing position is a full-time professional casework position responsible for the provision of a full range of social services to children and families in need of Children, Youth & Families’ assessment and/or services.

This position reports directly to a County Casework Supervisor or Program Specialist/Manager.

This position does not exercise supervision over other employees.

Establishes a professional relationship engaging all family members, including resistive, unmotivated, and sometimes hostile clients, recognizing and respecting individual, family, and cultural values.

Works directly with all family members, as well as others involved with the family, in a comprehensive family-focused assessment to determine the safety and risk of the children and the strengths and needs of the family.

Provides direct services to children and families, or refers them to other social service agencies or community resources to address the needs of the clients.

Prepares all required documents and correspondence as mandated by Federal and state laws and regulations, as well as County and departmental policies and procedures.

Provides transportation, as necessary, for parents and/or children. Arranges and supervises family and sibling visits for children placed outside their family home.

Participates in court hearings, internal and external meetings, and contacts for purposes of promoting a safe and permanent outcome for children under supervision.

Reviews all case assessments and investigative assignments with supervisor, as needed.

Reviews all cases accepted for service with supervisor, as needed.

When appropriate, schedules and presents cases for agency staffing and/or Multi-Disciplinary Team.

Provides scheduled in-day coverage to address emergent situations within the division.

Interprets agency mandates to other professionals, community, and other interested parties to promote the mission of the agency.

Acquires and maintains Direct Service Worker certification, as well as professional growth and development via seminars, conferences, and webinars.

*An employee assigned to this title shall perform a majority, but may not perform all, of the duties listed in this job description. Conversely, minor level duties performed on the job may not be listed. The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE– Six months of experience as a County Caseworker 1; OR

Successful completion of the County Social Casework Intern program; OR

A Bachelor's degree with a Social Welfare major; OR

A Bachelor's degree which includes or is supplemented by 12 college credits in Sociology, Social Welfare, Psychology, Gerontology, Criminal Justice, or other related social sciences and one year of - professional social casework experience in a public or private social services agency; OR

Any equivalent combination of experience and training which includes 12 college credits in Sociology, Social Welfare, Psychology, Gerontology, Criminal Justice, or other related social sciences.

Employee assigned to this title will be required to possess and maintain a valid and current motor vehicle operator’s license. Must have an acceptable driving record. Personal vehicle required for County business; employee is eligible for mileage reimbursement.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of current social case management principles, techniques, and methods.

Knowledge of the basic principles and methods of program interpretation and community organization.

Knowledge of current social, economic, and health problems and their impact on the growth and development of people.

Knowledge of individual and group development and behavior and ways of working effectively with adults and children who have social, economic, emotional, or health problems.

Knowledge of social welfare policy and law as they relate to agency function and purpose and societal structures.

Ability to work effectively with people and aid them to grow in the constructive use of their potential in adjusting to their specific problems.

Ability to understand and accept the needs and rights of others and to work with adults and children who are physically challenged, mentally disabled, emotionally troubled, and economically disadvantaged.

Ability to learn, interpret, and apply relevant laws, regulations, and policies governing agency services.

Ability to learn how to conduct individual and family interviews and to use them to identify individual and family problems.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, their families, other staff, outside agencies and institutions, and the general public.

Ability to plan and organize work, prepare adequate records and reports, set priorities, and learn to maintain a caseload in an effective and timely manner.

Ability to plan, organize, and direct the work of others.

Ability to clearly express ideas verbally and in writing.

Ability to maintain confidentiality at all times.

Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English to perform the duties of this position.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT

Telephone, personal computer (including word processing and spreadsheet software), calculator, writing implements, fax machine, copy machine, and paper shredder.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk, sit, talk, and hear.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to twenty-five (25) pounds.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

The noise level in the office is moderately quiet. Employee may also work in other environments such as schools, private homes, etc. These work environments may range from quiet to loud.

SELECTION GUIDELINES

Formal application, rating of education and experience, interview, and reference check as well as job related tests may be required.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

FLSA STATUS

FLSA NON-EXEMPT (ELIGIBLE FOR OVERTIME)

DESIGNATION

CAREER SERVICE

PAY GRADE

PS/GR35

UNION STATUS

PSSU

UPDATED JULY 2026