| Location | Bethlehem, PA |
Caseworker-2 IRES
Salary
$50,441.00 Annually
Location
Human Services Building, 2801 Emerick Boulevard, Bethlehem, PA
Job Type
Full time
Job Number
2026-00367E
Department
Human Services
Division
Info & Referral/Emergency Services
Opening Date
10/22/2026
Closing Date
11/4/2026 5:00 PM Eastern
Application Requirements
In order to be considered for this position, applicants must successfully submit a completed application prior to the posting deadline. Applications submitted with incomplete or missing education and/or work experience sections will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed. These applicants will be disqualified from consideration. The attachment of a resume to the application does not fulfill this requirement and will not prevent incomplete applications from being rejected. Education and work experience fields must be completed, regardless of the presence of an attached resume.
Once the posting closes, all applications will be reviewed. The information provided on the application will be utilized to determine whether or not each applicant meets the Minimum Requirements for this position as noted in the Job Description. We encourage all applicants to provide a comprehensive, concise history of their education, certification, licensing, and employment history. Please read the Minimum Requirements thoroughly and then demonstrate that you meet these requirements on your application.
For questions regarding this posting, please contact Kimberly Lorenzoni, Human Resources Position Specialist, Klorenzoni@norcopa.gov 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.
Job Description
GENERAL PURPOSE
The Caseworker 2 - Information and Referral and Emergency Services position is a full-time professional casework position within the 24-hour emergency services unit, designed to provide immediate response to life crisis situations for those residing in Northampton County.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED
This position reports directly to the County Casework Supervisor for Information and Referral and Emergency Services.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED
This position does not exercise supervision over other employees.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES OF THE POSITION
Provides phone, on-site, and mobile counseling for clients who are in a crisis situation with the goal of gathering necessary information, exploring the presenting problem, and alleviating the immediate crisis.
Facilitates both voluntary admissions and involuntary hospital commitments. This can include transportation when deemed safe and appropriate.
Facilitates referral, admission, and sometimes transportation for crisis residential.
Provides direct temporary services such as outreach counseling to clients by performing home visits, daily living problem solving, or other services until community agencies can be contacted to provide on-going services. If there is not an accountable agency, or if the emergency occurs after normal office hours including weekends, the emergency services worker will be directly involved in the procurement of services.
Accompanies clients to a hospital emergency facility, to a short-term inpatient hospital unit, to a receiving unit for alcoholism services, or to other locations as needed.
Serves as a delegate to the County Mental Health Administrator. This involves completing 302 commitment forms in accordance with Mental Health enabling legislation. Individuals are committable for specific behaviors which involve dangerousness to self or others (suicidal threats/attempts, homicidal threats/attempts, self-mutilation, or inability to care for self). The worker must establish that commitment criteria are met (i.e. person has made threats to harm self or others and is making acts in furtherance of these threats). Worker then meets with petitioner (person who has witnessed the committable behavior) and completes commitment forms including warrants to pick up and transport the patient for emergency evaluation and treatment. The majority of commitments involve direct, on-site intervention by the Mental Health delegate either at the point when committable behavior has occurred or at facilities such as hospitals or police stations.
Facilitates involuntary commitments by police and/or physicians in cases where on-site delegate intervention is not required. Both types of commitment services involve a collaborative community approach with hospitals, ambulance crews, police, etc.
Documents and reports on the process and outcome of emergency incidents through the use of standard emergency reporting forms (i.e. emergency incident sheets, mobile crisis forms, telephone logs, etc.)
Assists in linking the client to additional services revealed necessary during the initial assessment.
Responds to referrals regarding elderly persons being abused or living in intolerable housing conditions. Provides information and referral services as needed.
Responds to clients who are in the state of crisis because of withdrawal from drugs and/or alcohol.
Responds to calls regarding drug or alcohol overdoses and requests for detoxification. Facilitates referrals and provides information on appropriate treatment programs available.
Serves as backup to Information and Referral Unit in situations when information and/or referral are requested.
Maintains continuity of client care through supervisory consultation, review of daily log notes, and attendance at case conferences.
Serves in a consultative and collaborative role with community personnel who are also involved in the provision of emergency services such as: emergency room physicians, nurses, police officers, ambulance crew members, staff of other community agencies, and Human Services treatment staff.
Attends staff meetings and training programs for professional enhancement.
REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE - At least six (6) months of experience as a County Caseworker 1; OR
The successful completion of the County Social Casework Intern program; OR
Possession of a Bachelors degree in Psychology, Sociology, Counseling, Social Work, or a related social science major; OR
Possession of a Bachelors degree which includes, or is supplemented by, 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 social casework experience in a public or private social services agency. (Professional social casework experience is defined as work which involves providing services to individuals, families, or groups to help them attain a more satisfactory social, economic, emotional, or physical adjustment. The services provided would involve identifying and evaluating the client's problems, formulating a plan of action, and implementing or directing such a plan of action.); OR
Any equivalent combination of experience and training which includes twelve (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, agency purpose, and societal structures.
Ability to work effectively with people and aid them to grow via the constructive use of their potential and 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, 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 October 2026
Full-time employees of the County of Northampton are afforded a package of benefits which includes the following:
Medical Insurance
Vision and Prescription
Dental
Life Insurance
Retirement
I. Medical Insurance
Coverage begins for the employee the first of the month following full-time employment for employees and their eligible dependents. Cost to the employee to participate in the plans varies by the coverage selection and number of dependents; and may be subject to collective bargaining, if a union member. The employee may also elect to opt out of the Countys medical insurance if proof of coverage through the spouses employer is provided. Under this arrangement, the employee is provided with an annual $1,500.00 opt out payment.
II. Vision and Prescription
Coverage begins for the employee the first of the month following full-time employment for employees and their eligible dependents. Copayments may vary, subject to collective bargaining, if a union member. Coverage under the vision plan varies and depends upon the employees choice of doctor and frame selection.
III. Dental Coverage
Coverage begins for the employee the first of the month following full-time employment for employees and their eligible dependents. Copayments may vary, subject to collective bargaining, if a union member.
IV. Life Insurance
A life insurance policy is afforded to full-time employees beginning on the first day of employment, unless specified differently in a collective bargaining agreement. It remains in effect as long as the employee is actively employed and terminates upon resignation or retirement. $20,000 is afforded to all eligible employees.
V. Retirement
All full-time employees and part-time employees working more than 1000 hours per year qualify for County of Northampton retirement benefits, in which employees must contribute 5% of their earnings, and employees may choose to add additional voluntary contributions, not to exceed an additional 10%. Additionally, employees may participate in an optional deferred compensation plan [457(b)] which may provide present tax advantages and future retirement savings. Such arrangements are made directly with the providers and the County will administer payroll deductions only.
01
Each applicant must complete this supplemental questionnaire as a part of the applicant screening and selection process. The information you provide will be reviewed and used to determine your eligibility to move forward in the selection process. Incomplete responses, false statements, omissions, or partial information may result in disqualification from the selection process. Do you agree to answer each supplemental question truthfully and that your responses can be verified from information included within the application?
02
Current Northampton County employees MUST detail ALL County work experience on their application. Failure to include correct work history and employment dates will result in the rejection of your application. If you need assistance with this information, please reach out to the Human Resources department BEFORE submitting your application. Please select "yes" to confirm your understanding of this requirement. If you are not a current County employee, please select "no".
03
Do you have six (6) months of experience as a County Caseworker 1? Note: Be sure your work experience reflect this.
04
Have you completed the County Caseworker Intern Program in a civil service position with a Pennsylvania local government agency?
05
Do you have a bachelors degree with major coursework in Sociology, Social Welfare, Psychology, Gerontology, Criminal Justice, or other related social sciences? NOTE - Be sure to list your degree major in your education section and please attach your transcripts to your application for review. Failure to attach your transcripts could result in your application being rejected.
06
Do you have a Bachelors degree which includes, or is supplemented by, twelve (12) college credits in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, criminal justice, or other related social sciences? Note: Be sure to list your degree major in your education section and please attach your transcripts to your application for review. Failure to attach your transcripts could result in your application being rejected.
07
Do you have at least one (1) year of full-time professional social casework experience in a public or private social services agency. (Professional social casework experience is defined as work which involves providing services to individuals, families, or groups to help them attain a more satisfactory social, economic, emotional, or physical adjustment. The services provided would involve identifying and evaluating the client's problems, formulating a plan of action, and implementing or directing such a plan of action.);
08
Do you have any equivalent combination of experience and education, which includes 12 college credits in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, criminal justice, or other related social sciences.
09
Do you possess a valid and current drivers license with an acceptable driving record?
10
Caseworker 2 position is part of the PSSU Union, and starting salary is dictated by the Collective Bargaining Agreement. The starting salary for this position is $24.2503 per hour ($50,441.00 annually), and is non-negotiable. Please choose "yes" to indicate your understanding of the starting wage, and that this is non-negotiable.
Required Question
Employer Northampton County
Address Human Resources Department
669 Washington Street
Easton, Pennsylvania, 18042
Phone 610-829-6382
Website http://www.norcopa.gov