Program Specialist 2

Posting number: 02062

Department: MH-DS

Job classification: Mental Health Program Specialist 2 - MH/DS

Posting type: Open & Promotional

Categories: Social Services

Summary

The Mental Health Program Specialist 2 serves as an administrative mental health professional with primary responsibility for overseeing adult mental health services across Luzerne and Wyoming Counties. These services include inpatient, outpatient, partial hospitalization, crisis intervention, case management, emergency services, and base service units. Operating with a high degree of independence, this position ensures effective collaboration with various mental health providers throughout Pennsylvania. The role plays a key part in service planning, budgeting, compliance, and performance monitoring. 

Additionally, this position plays a central role in the oversight and coordination of the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) and Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) programs, as well as the Treatment Court Expansion Grant and PCCD Grant programs, which support cross-system collaboration, community wellness, criminal justice reform, and recovery support for justice-involved individuals.

Examples of duties

• Review county mental health expenditures, purchase requests, and contracts, including service billing invoices, to ensure compliance and authorize reimbursement.
• Develop, analyze, and coordinate policy planning and budgets for adult mental health services and ancillary programs.
• Monitor funding allocations, contract amendments, Medical Assistance (MA) expenditures, and year-end budget adjustments.
• Assist in preparing and submitting the Human Services Block Grant Plan.
• Create and issue Requests for Proposals (RFPs) aligned with the needs-based mental health plan to address service gaps in the community.
• Collaborate with clinical and hospital staff for patient care planning and base service unit coordination.
• Coordinate and review admissions for Luzerne and Wyoming County residents referred to state hospitals for inpatient treatment.
• Monitor utilization of state hospital bed days and outpatient medication expenditures using data-driven strategies.
• Analyze service utilization data and recommend development or restructuring for improved service efficiency.
• Work with data personnel to interpret Community Consolidated Reporting System
• (CCRS) and Performance Outcome Management System (POMS) data.
• Develop, implement, and oversee performance-based contracts aligned with recognized standards of care.
• Evaluate provider proposals and provide feasibility recommendations to the MH/DS Administrator.
• Respond to and mediate consumer and family complaints related to adult mental health services, case management, and ancillary services.
• Oversee and coordinate the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) and Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) programs in partnership with law enforcement, first responders, and community partners.
• Lead oversight and administration of the Treatment Court Expansion Grant, ensuring program development, inter-agency coordination, compliance, and reporting.
• Manage activities and deliverables associated with the PCCD Grant, including alignment with state priorities, implementation of funded initiatives, and timely reporting.
• Serve as the administrative mental health delegate on-call during non-business hours to support crisis and mental health staff.
• Review and process petitions for involuntary evaluation and treatment in accordance with applicable regulations.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of mental health program planning and development as it relates to the implementation of direct services and operational procedures.
• Knowledge of modern basic management principles and practices.
• Knowledge of current social, economic, and health problems and resources as it relates to the field of mental health.
• Knowledge of the basic principles and methods involved in working with socially maladjusted or physically or mentally disabled adults and/or children.
• Knowledge of the structure, organization, and methods of public and private mental health agencies and institutions.
• Knowledge of the principles and methods applied to collecting, reviewing, analyzing, and interpreting statistical data.
• Ability to analyze and evaluate program plans and operations and make recommendations leading toward policy and method determination.
• Ability to aid in the development and coordination of mental health program plans.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with public an