County Caseworker 2 (Local Government) - Lehigh County MH/ID

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; Allentown (Lehigh County); On-site; USD 49,000 - 59,000; Full time

Job summary

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Lehigh County Mental Health-Crisis division, seeks a County Caseworker 2 to support individuals facing behavioral health challenges. You will use sound decision-making to help people access services and navigate crisis situations in a team-focused environment.

We value clear communication and reliable support as you assess needs, intervene in crises, and coordinate eligibility for services. This full-time role offers stable hours and a formal civil service pathway.

Qualifications

• Six months of experience as a County Caseworker 1 or similar.
• Completion of County Social Casework Intern program or a qualifying degree/credits.
• A bachelor's degree with relevant social sciences coursework and professional experience.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience achieving the required coursework.
• Within two months of graduating with a qualifying degree/credits.

Responsibilities

• Gathers information to identify social, economic, emotional, and health needs and helps clients access services.
• Provides immediate crisis intervention, screens referrals by phone, outreach, or walk-in.
• Recognizes mental health symptoms during assessments to determine service needs.
• Evaluates crisis situations using de-escalation techniques and conducts outreach assessments.
• Understands Mental Health Procedures Act and fulfills duty to warn requirements.
• Reviews 302 and Act 77 documentation and acts as petitioner when needed.

Education

Bachelor's degree with a social welfare major

12 college credits in sociology/social welfare/psychology/gerontology/criminal justice or related social sciences + 1 year of professional social casework

Any equivalent combination of experience and training including 12 college credits in related social sciences

Job description

Salary

$53,959.00 Annually

Location

Lehigh County, PA

Job Type

Civil Service Permanent Full-Time

Job Number

CS-2026-59706-L0624

Department

Local Government

Division

HS Lehigh Co Mh/Id Unit

Opening Date

09/29/2026

Closing Date

10/12/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Job Code

L0624

Position Number

80002594

Union

SEIU Local 668

Bargaining Unit

LG

Pay Group

LG

Bureau / Division Code

88213439

Bureau / Division

Lehigh County Mental Health-Crisis

Worksite Address

17 South 7th Street

City

Allentown, Pennsylvania

Zip Code

18101

Contact Name

Danielle Guarna

Contact Phone

610.782.3171

Contact Email

[e-mail]

THE POSITION

Lehigh County Mental Health Services is seeking a County Caseworker 2 who is ready to support individuals facing behavioral health challenges. This position allows you to use strong decision‑making skills while helping people access services and navigate crisis situations. You will work in a setting that values teamwork, clear communication, and reliable support. Step into a role where your efforts help people find stability and important resources.

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

This position provides crisis intervention, information and referral services, and case support for individuals experiencing behavioral health challenges.

As a County Caseworker 2, you will perform the following duties:

• Client Support: Gather information to identify social, economic, emotional, and health needs and assist clients in accessing services
• Crisis Intervention: Provide immediate support, manage crisis requests, and screen incoming referrals by phone, outreach, or walk-in
• Clinical Assessment: Recognize symptoms of mental illness during assessments and determine service needs
• Safety Assessment: Evaluate crisis situations, use de‑escalation techniques, and conduct outreach assessments
• Legal Compliance: Understand the Mental Health Procedures Act and fulfil duty to warn requirements
• Petitioning Duties: Review 302 and Act 77 documentation and act as petitioner when needed

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full time employment
• Work hours are 8:00 am through 4:00 pm, Monday-Friday, with a 30 minute lunch.
• 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.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY

QUALIFICATIONS

• 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 service 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.
• 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.

EXAMINATION INFORMATION

• 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.