Northampton County is a county in the northeastern section of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the population was 297,735.  The county was formed in 1752 from parts of Bucks County. Its namesake was Northamptonshire, England. The county seat of Easton was named for the country house Easton Neston in that shire.

The Department of Human Resources serves the taxpayers by focusing efforts on the County’s most valuable asset, its employees. Human Resources takes a leadership role and provides direction, technical assistance, training, equal employment opportunities, and labor relations coordination in the areas of recruitment, hiring, and retention of a diverse, qualified workforce.

Full-time employees of the County of Northampton are afforded a package of benefits which includes the following:

Medical Insurance
?Coverage begins on the first of the month following full-time employment for employees and their eligible dependents. Cost to the employee to participate in the plan varies based on the coverage selection and number of dependents, and may be subject to collective bargaining. Employees may also elect to opt out of the County’s medical insurance with an annual opt out payment provided as determined by collective bargaining agreement or policy.

Vision and Prescription
?Coverage begins on the first of the month following full-time employment for employees and their eligible dependents. Copayments may vary and may be subject to collective bargaining. Coverage under the vision plan varies and depends upon the employee’s choice of doctor and frame selection.

Dental Coverage
?Coverage begins on the first of the month following full-time employment for employees and their eligible dependents. Copayments may vary and may be subject to collective bargaining.

Life Insurance
?A $20,000 term 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.

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.