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

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 fulfill 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 Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• 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.

How To Apply

• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
• If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.
• All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant's own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.

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 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.