County Caseworker 1 (Part-Time) (Local Government) - Lehigh County MH/ID (Multiple Vacancies)

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; Pennsylvania; On-site; USD 25,000 - 39,000; Part time

Job summary

Lehigh County Mental Health Services in Pennsylvania seeks a part-time County Caseworker 1 to assist individuals during crises, provide information and referral, and support case management under structured guidance.

You will join a supportive team focused on community well-being, participate in crisis response for 988 contacts, learn de-escalation, assessments, and safety planning under close supervision. Shifts are rotating, up to 20 hours weekly, with no telework option.

Qualifications

• Two years of college credit in social sciences or related fields.
• Bachelor's degree with 12 credits in sociology, social welfare, psychology, or related fields.
• Experience performing paraprofessional case management functions preferred.

Responsibilities

• Learn to identify social, emotional, and behavioral health needs through interviews.
• Participate in crisis response and de-escalation for 988 contacts.
• Engage in assessments and supervised interviewing techniques.
• Identify safety concerns and assist in outreach and mobile crisis assessments.
• Assist with preparing documentation such as 302 and Act 77 forms.
• Help individuals access services and maintain referral records.

Skills

Crisis intervention

Information & referrals

Case management

Education

Two years college credits in social sciences

Bachelor's degree with 12 credits in related fields

Equivalent combination with experience

Job description

Lehigh County Mental Health Services is seeking a part-time County Caseworker 1 who is ready to help individuals during critical moments of crisis. This role allows you to learn important skills while assisting with crisis response, information and referral, and case management under structured guidance. You will work as part of a supportive team dedicated to community well-being. Start a meaningful career where your steady presence helps people find safety and solutions.

This part-time position provides entry-level crisis intervention, information and referral, and case management support through structured training and close supervision. As a County Caseworker 1 in the Office of Crisis Intervention, you will perform the following duties:

• Needs Identification: Learn to gather information from individuals and contacts to determine social, emotional, and behavioral health needs
• Crisis Response: Participate in responding to 988 and crisis intervention contacts and develop de-escalation and triage skills
• Clinical Participation: Take part in assessments and learn interviewing and problem-solving techniques under supervision
• Safety Recognition: Learn to identify safety concerns and assist in outreach and mobile crisis assessments
• Legal Procedures: Assist with preparing and reviewing required documentation such as 302 and Act 77 forms
• Resource Coordination: Help individuals access services, update referral databases, and maintain records

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Part-time employment, up to 20 hours per week.
• Shifts will rotate depending on the needs of the agency.
• 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:

• Two years of experience as a County Social Services Aide 3 and two years of college level course work which includes 12 college credits in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, criminal justice, or other related social sciences; or
• A bachelor's degree which includes or is supplemented by successful completion of 12 college credits in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, criminal justice, or other related social sciences; 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 and one year of experience as a County Social Services Aide 3 or in a similar position performing paraprofessional case management functions.
• Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within two months of graduating with a qualifying degree/credits.

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.
• 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.

Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

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.

• 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.