Posting number: 2026-00321E
Department: Human Services
Division: Children, Youth and Families
Job classification: Caseworker 3 (CYF) - GPS Intake
Posting type: Open
Categories: Community Services, Social Services, Human Services, Community Development, Community and Social Services
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.
The Caseworker 3 – Children, Youth & Families - General Protective Services – Intake position is an advanced professional casework position responsible for the provision of a full range of social services to families in need of general protective services (GPS) assessment.
This position reports directly to the Casework Supervisor for General Protective Services - Intake.
This position may involve functioning as a lead worker for professional social services staff and/or supervising or directing paraprofessionals and/or clerical staff.
Provides casework services to families per GPS intake caseworker job responsibilities. Conducts assessments to determine and identify family problems which contribute to or result in neglect. Develops a plan to address these issues. Case assignments are generally more difficult and complex which require the expertise of an experienced caseworker (i.e., Caseworker 3).
Assesses safety of children and arranges service provision utilizing appropriate family, school, and community resources to meet the needs of the family.
Makes appropriate referrals, concerning the need and problems of clients, with follow up to other community agencies and resources.
Provides phone counseling and on-site counseling for situations involving children and youth issues.
Prepares case summaries correspondence, Court petitions and summaries, 60 day assessment reports, referral summaries, and other records required by regulation and agency policy.
Gives testimony in Juvenile Court, Magistrate Hearings, Court of Common Pleas, Criminal Court, and any other hearings as necessary.
Refers clients to appropriate community resources. Documents client use of services and keeps case records according to agency requirements.
Prepares case histories, letters, Court Summaries, reports, referrals, summaries for psychological and psychiatric evaluations, referrals for placements, agency staffings and conferences. Keeps other records as required by casework plan and agency policy.
Arranges and, if necessary, supervises visits for parents with children placed outside their family home.
Participates in ten (10) day review of all assigned cases with supervisor. Advises supervisor of emergent situations and, when appropriate, schedules and presents cases for agency staffing.
Maintains professional growth and development by attending seminars, conferences, trainings, etc.
Orients new workers to GPS Intake in accordance with Children, Youth & Families policies and procedures.
Oversees and mentors new workers in the office, field, Court, and community.
Accompanies staff in challenging case situations, both in the field and in the office, especially when safety concerns, volatile situations, and/or GPS allegations may occur.
Serves as back-up and provides coverage for other Caseworker 3 positions within all program areas.
*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.
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE – Possession of a Bachelor's degree in Sociology, Social Welfare, Psychology, Gerontology, Criminal Justice, or other related social sciences; AND
At least three (3) years of professional social casework experience 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.); OR
At least two (2) years of experience as a Caseworker 2; 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.
May require the employee to work beyond the scheduled workday and need to maintain a flexible schedule in order to handle emergency situations.
Knowledge of the laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures governing the administration of County Child Welfare programs.
Knowledge of current social case management principles, techniques, and methods.
Knowledge of current social, economic, and health problems and the available resources.
Knowledge of human development, individual and group behavior, and ways of working effectively with adults and children who have social, economic, emotional, or health problems.
Knowledge of the principles and methods applied in collecting, reviewing, analyzing, and interpreting case management summaries, statistical data, and reports.
Knowledge of the organization and structure of the Court, judicial, and legal systems as they relate to County Child Welfare.
Knowledge of court-related requirements for the preparation and presentation of legal documents and testimony for the Courts.
Knowledge of the development of resources, educational programs, and materials.
Knowledge of basic principles and practices of supervision and administration.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients and their families, the Courts, judges, attorneys, police, representatives from other community agencies, and agency staff.
Ability to analyze and evaluate program plans, operations, goals, and objectives and to make recommendations toward policy determination.
Ability to provide advice, technical assistance, and training to agency staff regarding the requirements, structures, and operations of the Court and legal systems.
Ability to function independently and decisively.
Ability to develop resources and educational materials and to speak before a variety of groups and organizations.
Ability to maintain confidentiality in high-pressure situations.
Ability to plan and organize work, prepare adequate records and reports, and set priorities. Ability to plan, organize, and direct the work of others.
Ability to interpret and apply relevant laws, regulations, and policies governing agency services. Ability to express ideas verbally and in writing.
Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English to perform the duties of this position.
Telephone, personal computer (including word processing and spreadsheet software), calculator, writing implements, fax machine, copy machine, and paper shredder.
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.
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.
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.
PAY GRADE: PS/GR37A
UPDATED SEPTEMBER 2026
Founded in 1752, the County of Northampton is located 60 miles north of Philadelphia and 80 miles west of New York City. The Northampton County Government Center
is located at 669 Washington Street in Easton, PA. For additional information on the County of Northampton, please visit www.northamptoncounty.org.
