County Caseworker ; Local Government - Northumberland County C&Y

Northumberland County is looking for motivated and dependable individuals with a passion for helping children and families.

This is an entry-level professional social services position in the Northumberland County Children and Youth Agency. Our staff performs a variety of entry-level social service and casework duties designed to provide supportive services to children, youth, and families. We work in close cooperation with other social service agencies, hospitals, mental health facilities, police, courts, schools, and other community resources to assist families.

• Mobility:
  Ability to travel between office locations, client homes, hospitals, and community sites. May involve walking, standing, climbing stairs, and/or driving.
• Lifting/Carrying:
  May require lifting or carrying files, office supplies, small equipment, a child, or an adult (typically up to 25‑150+ pounds).
• Reaching/Bending:
  Regularly required to reach, bend, crouch, or kneel to assist clients or handle paperwork.
• Fine Motor
  
  Skills:
  
  Frequent use of hands for typing, writing, and handling documents.

• High Stress Tolerance:
  Ability to manage crisis situations, interact with individuals in distress, and handle potentially volatile situations.
• Communication:
  Frequent verbal and written communication with clients, families, healthcare providers, and legal entities.
• Decision‑Making & Problem‑Solving:
  Requires critical thinking to assess client needs, develop care plans, and navigate complex social services.

• Client Homes and Community Settings:
  May encounter unsanitary conditions, pets, smoke, or environmental hazards.
• Potential Safety Risks:
  Interactions with individuals experiencing severe mental illness, substance use disorders, or behavioral crisis.
• Flexible
  
  Schedule:
  
  May require evening, weekend, or on‑call work depending on agency requirements.

• Full‑time employment.
• Work hours are 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM;
  Monday – Friday, with a 30‑minute lunch.
• Telework:
  This position does not offer a telework option.

• Two years of experience as a County Social Services Aide 3 and two years of college‑level coursework, including 12 college credits in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, criminal justice, or related social sciences; or
• A bachelor’s degree that includes or is supplemented by successful completion of 12 college credits in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, criminal justice, or similar fields; or
• Any equivalent combination of experience and training that includes 12 college credits in the above listed 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 or credits.

• PA residency requirement is currently waived for this title.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.
• Position requires a valid driver’s license that is not under suspension.

• 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 PA State Police clearance, PA Child Abuse history clearance, and FBI Fingerprint clearance.

• Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS): 711 for 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.