County Mental Health Program Specialist 1 (Local Government)

County Mental Health Program Specialist 1 (Local Government)

Salary

$37,324.35 Annually

Location

Potter County, PA

Job Type

Civil Service Permanent Full-Time

Job Number

CS-2026-59448-L0751

Department

Local Government

Division

HS Potter Co Mh/Id Unit

Opening Date

09/29/2026

Closing Date

10/12/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Job Code

L0751

Position Number

80003219

Union

Non-Union

Bargaining Unit

LG

Pay Group

LG

Bureau / Division Code

88213453

Bureau / Division

HS Potter County Mental Health/Intellectual Disabilities

Worksite Address

1 North Main Street, 3rd Floor

City

Coudersport, Pennsylvania

Zip Code

16915

Contact Name

Nila Gerner

Contact Phone

814.544.7315

Contact Email

ngerner@pottercountypa.gov

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

THE POSITION

As a County Mental Health Program Specialist 1 with Potter County MH/ID Unit, you will play a key role in helping people reconnect with their communities. This position lets you use your abilities to support individuals during important steps in their lives who are within and exiting incarceration. You will join a team that works together to provide strong guidance and reliable care. We offer a supportive work environment and a generous benefit package. This is your chance to make a difference every day.

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

This role focuses on building and supporting forensic mental health services for Potter County. It involves working closely with correctional facilities, legal partners, and community programs to ensure smooth transitions and strong coordination of care. As a County Mental Health Program Specialist 1, you will perform the following duties:

• Forensic Program Support: Build the forensic program by working with county residents in various correctional settings
• Intake Coordination: Coordinate county intakes for State prison populations several months before release to support continuity of care
• Facility Communication: Serve as a contact for correctional institutions to plan and facilitate release into the community
• Service Liaison: Act as liaison with the Torrance State Hospital Forensic Unit to link and coordinate services
• Legal Collaboration: Communicate with judges, probation officers, attorneys, and wardens to facilitate re-entry or suggest alternative options
• Aftercare Planning: Provide discharge planning, aftercare coordination, and follow-up for up to one year after release

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment
• Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with 30-minute lunch.
• Travel and overtime may be necessary.
• Telework: You will not have the option to telework in this position.
• Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
• 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:

• Two years of professional level experience in the field of mental health; and a bachelors degree; or
• An equivalent combination of experience and training.

Other Requirements:

• You must meet the PA residency requirement. For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency.
• Hiring preference for this vacancy may be given to candidates who live within Potter County. If no eligible candidates who live within Potter County apply for this position, candidates who reside in other counties may be considered.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Legal Requirements:

• 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 www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html 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.

EXAMINATION INFORMATION

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).

• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.

• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.

• You must provide complete and accurate information or:

• your score may be lower than deserved.

• you may be disqualified.

• You may only apply/test once for this posting.

• Your results will be provided via email.

Benefit packages are determined by the county and may vary. Please contact the applicable county human resource office directly to inquire about a specific benefit package.

01

How many years of full-time professional experience in the field of mental health do you possess?

• 2 years or more
• 1 but less than 2 years
• Less than 1 year
• None

02

If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N/A in the text box below.

03

How much graduate coursework have you completed in the behavioral, social or habilitative sciences, or community planning or organization or a related degree area?

If you are claiming credits/degree, you must upload a copy of your college transcript(s) for this education to be considered in the eligibility decision. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. You must attach your transcript(s) prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add a transcript(s) to the application after it has been submitted.

If your education was acquired outside of the United States, you must upload a copy of your foreign credential evaluation report. We can only accept foreign credential evaluations from organizations that are members of the National Association of Credential Services (NACES). A list of current NACES members can be found by visiting www.naces.org and clicking the Evaluation Services Link.

You must attach your documentation prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add a document to the application after it has been submitted.

• 30 credits or more
• Less than 30 credits
• None

04

You must complete the supplemental questions below. These supplemental questions are the exam and will be scored. They are designed to give you the opportunity to relate your experience and training background to the major activities (Work Behaviors) performed in this position. Failure to provide complete and accurate information may delay the processing of your application or result in a lower-than-deserved score or disqualification. You must complete the application and answer the supplemental questions. Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position or to determine your score.

All information you provide on your application and supplemental questions is subject to verification. Any misrepresentation, falsification or omission of material facts is subject to penalty. If requested, you must provide documentation, including names, addresses, and telephone numbers of individuals who can verify the validity of the information you provide in the application and supplemental questions.

Read each question carefully. Determine and select which "Level of Performance" most closely represents your highest level of experience/training. List the employer(s)/training source(s) from your Work or Education sections of the application where you gained this experience/training. The "Level of Performance" you choose must be clearly supported within the description of the experience and training information entered in your application or your score may be lowered. In order to receive credit for experience, you must have worked in a job for at least six months in which the experience claimed was a major function.

If you have read and understand these instructions, please click on the "Yes" button and proceed to the exam questions.

If you have general questions regarding the application and hiring process, please refer to our FAQ page.

• Yes

05

WORK BEHAVIOR 1 - PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION

Implement programs and associated plans, policies, and procedures including service delivery methods and program organizational structures and ensuring overall program effectiveness and compliance with federal and state laws, state and county guidelines and regulations.

Levels of Performance

Select the "Level of Performance" which best describes your claim.

• A. I have experience implementing COMPLETE programs and associated plans, policies, and procedures including service delivery methods and program organizational structures and ensuring overall program effectiveness and compliance.
• B. I have experience implementing PORTIONS of programs and associated plans, policies, procedures, delivery methods, program organizational structures and ensuring effectiveness and compliance.
• C. I have experience implementing procedures in accordance with program plans or policies.
• D. I have NO experience related to this work behavior.

06

In the text box below, please describe your experience as it relates to the level of performance you claimed in this work behavior. Please be sure your response addresses the items listed below which relate to your claim. If you indicated you have no work experience related to this work behavior, type N/A in the box below.

• The name(s) of the employer(s) where you gained this experience
• The actual duties you performed related to program implementation
• Your level of responsibility

07

WORK BEHAVIOR 2 - PROGRAM EVALUATION

Analyze and monitor the effectiveness of programs in meeting goals and objectives. This includes reviewing documentation such as service utilization, development reports, etc., exploring programmatic implications of policy decisions or changes, and ensuring adherence to all applicable requirements and standards. Recommend actions necessary to resolve concerns and respond to inquiries from staff regarding effectiveness of the program under review.

Levels of Performance

Select the "Level of Performance" which best describes your claim.

• A. I have experience analyzing and monitoring the effectiveness of programs in meeting goals and objectives. This included reviewing documentation and exploring programmatic implications of policy decisions or proposed policy changes, and ensuring adherence to all applicable requirements and standards. I WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR RESOLVING PROGRAM CONCERNS AND ENSURING IMPLEMENTATION OF RESOLUTION ACTIONS.
• B. I have experience analyzing and monitoring the effectiveness of programs in meeting goals and objectives. This included reviewing documentation and exploring programmatic implications of policy decisions or proposed policy changes, and ensuring adherence to all applicable requirements and standards. I IDENTIFIED PROGRAM CONCERNS FOR OTHERS TO RESOLVE.
• C. I have experience analyzing policy or procedure changes. I identified outcomes or concerns which required resolution.
• D. I have NO experience related to this work behavior.

08

In the text box below, please describe your experience as it relates to the level of performance you claimed in this work behavior. Please be sure your response addresses the items listed below which relate to your claim. If you indicated you have no work experience related to this work behavior, type N/A in the box below.

• The name(s) of the employer(s) where you gained this experience
• The actual duties you performed related to analyzing and monitoring programs
• The types of policy or procedural changes you analyzed
• Your level of responsibility

09

WORK BEHAVIOR 3 - LIAISON

Serve as a liaison to the public to build and maintain relationships and communicate changes. Organize and conduct meetings to promote program initiatives. Prepare presentations on services and programs available in designated areas. Meet with federal, state, and county agencies, community organizations, and contract service providers to explain county programs, objectives, and policies and to identify any impact resulting from changes in laws and regulations. Coordinate services utilized by multiple agencies..

Levels of Performance

Select the "Level of Performance" which best describes your claim.

• A. I have experience serving as a liaison to the public, government agencies, community organizations, AND contract service providers to coordinate services, build and maintain relationships, communicate changes, AND promote program initiatives.
• B. I have experience serving as a liaison to the public, government agencies, community organizations, OR contract service providers to coordinate services, build and maintain relationships, communicate changes, or promote program initiatives.
• C. I have experience CONDUCTING meetings related to coordinating services, establishing and maintaining relationships, communicating changes, or promoting program initiatives.
• D. I have NO experience related to this work behavior.

10

In the text box below, please describe your experience as it relates to the level of performance you claimed in this work behavior. Please be sure your response addresses the items listed below which relate to your claim. If you indicated you have no work experience related to this work behavior, type N/A in the box below.

• The name(s) of the employer(s) where you gained this experience
• The actual duties you performed related to serving as a liaison
• The type(s) of information you communicated
• Your level of responsibility

Required Question

Employer Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Address 613 North Street

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 17120

Website http://www.employment.pa.gov