Caseworker 2-(CYF) CPS/GPS Ongoing Bilingual

County of Northampton; Bethlehem (Northampton County); On-site; USD 48,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

County of Northampton seeks a bilingual Caseworker 2 for Children, Youth & Families – CPS/GPS. You will perform a full range of social services, assessing safety and family needs, and coordinating services to achieve safe, permanent outcomes for children.

The position requires English/Spanish fluency, strong interview skills, and knowledge of social welfare policy. You will collaborate with courts, families, and community resources to support vulnerable youth and families.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of current social case management principles, techniques, and methods.
• Knowledge of basic program interpretation and community organization.
• Knowledge of social welfare policy and law as they relate to agency function.
• Ability to conduct individual and family interviews to identify problems.
• Ability to plan, organize, and maintain a caseload efficiently.
• Ability to read, write, speak, and communicate in English and Spanish.

Responsibilities

• Establish professional relationships with family members while respecting values.
• Conduct comprehensive family-focused assessments to determine safety and risk to children.
• Provide direct services or refer to community resources.
• Prepare all required documents in compliance with federal and state laws.
• Provide transportation for parents/children and arrange visits for children in care.
• Participate in court hearings and MDTs to promote safe, permanent outcomes.

Skills

Case management principles

Interviews & assessments

Communication skills

Bilingual English/Spanish

Confidentiality

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Sociology or related Social Sciences

Bachelor’s degree with 12 college credits in related Social Sciences

Tools

Valid driver’s license

Job description

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.

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

GENERAL PURPOSE

The Caseworker 2 – Children, Youth & Families – Child Protective Services/General Protective Services (CPS/GPS) Ongoing (Bilingual – English/Spanish) position is a casework position responsible for the provision of a full range of social services to children and families in need of Children, Youth and Families’ assessment and/or services.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

This position reports directly to the County Casework Supervisor.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

This position does not exercise supervision over other employees.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES OF THE POSITION

• Establishes a professional relationship engaging all family members, including resistive, unmotivated, and sometimes hostile clients while 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 services agencies or community resources to address the needs of the clients.
• Prepares all required documents and correspondence as mandated by Federal and state law, 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, 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
• – At least six (6) months of experience as a County Caseworker 1;
• OR
• Successful completion of the County Social Casework Intern program;
• OR
• Possession of a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology, Social Welfare, Psychology, Gerontology, Criminal Justice, or other related Social Sciences;
• OR
• Possession of a Bachelor’s degree which is supplemented by at least twelve (12) college credits in Sociology, Social Welfare, Psychology, Gerontology, Criminal Justice, or other related Social Sciences;
• AND
• At least one (1) year of full-time professional work experience in social casework in a public or private social services agency. (Public or private social work is defined as professional work identifying and evaluating consumer problems and formulating, implementing, or directing an appropriate service plan. This requires in-depth interviewing to obtain comprehensive information about consumer needs, counseling, providing information about available programs, determining eligibility for program services, and negotiating on behalf of consumers with referral agencies to successfully implement appropriate services).
• 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 by adjusting to their specific problems.
• Ability to understand and accept the needs and rights of others. Ability 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, 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 and Spanish 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 September 2026