Program Specialist 2

Program Specialist 2

Salary

$57,000.00 Annually

Location

111 N. Pennsylvania Avenue, Wilkes-Barre, PA

Job Type

Full-time

Job Number

02062

Department

MH-DS

Opening Date

07/22/2026

Closing Date

8/5/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Description

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.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• 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.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• 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 and private agencies, community groups and organizations, federal, state and county officials and agency staff.
• Ability to plan and direct the work of a professional staff.
• Ability to make clear and pertinent statements, orally and in writing

Minimum Qualifications

RECRUITMENT METHODS:

Applicants must meet one (or more) of the following method(s) to be considered for this vacancy:

• Seniority Promotion: Bidding employees within the designated seniority unit when collective bargaining unit obligation(s) have been met then the following recruitment methods may be used:
• Transfer
• Reassignment

ELIGIBILITY - ALL CANDIDATE{S):

1.) Must meet the minimum experience and training (METS) required for the job. The METs for this position are:

One year as a County Mental Health Program Specialist 1; or Three years of professional level experience in the field of mental health; and a bachelors degree; or any equivalent combination of experience and training.

• Strong knowledge of Pennsylvania's mental health systems, regulations, and funding mechanisms.
• Demonstrated experience in program planning, grant oversight, contract management, and inter-agency collaboration.
• Familiarity or experience with CIT, CISM, Treatment Court, and PCCD grant programs is preferred.
• Excellent analytical, communication, and leadership skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage complex administrative tasks

2.) Be a resident of Pennsylvania

3.) Be eligible for selection in accordance with merit system employment regulations

SELECTION CRITERIA:

1.) Meet the minimum experience and training required for the job.

2.) Meritorious Service- defined as:

• The absence of any discipline above the level of written reprimand during the 12 months preceding the closing date on the posting
• The last due overall regular or probationary performance evaluation was higher than unsatisfactory

3.) Seniority - defined as: a minimum of six months in the next lower class(es) by the closing date of this posting 08/05/2026.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

1.) Interested qualified applicants must submit all the requested materials as specified in the "How to Apply." Failure to comply with the above application requirements will eliminate you from consideration for this position.

2.) Additional information may be obtained by contacting:

Megan Stone

Human Services Division Head

570-826-8800

Megan.stone.ohs@luzernecounty.org

POSITION DETAILS:

Full-time

Permanent

Union

Non-Exempt

Pay Range: 41

Hours: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm

HOW TO APPLY:

All CANDIDATES must apply and submit an application via:

https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/luzernecounty

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations for the interview due to a disability, please advise the interviewer of the accommodations you require well in advance of the scheduled date.

LUZERNE COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY & AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER.

I. Medical Insurance

The coverage begins for the employee the on the first of the month following the first full 30 days of full-time employment for employees and their eligible dependents. Cost to the employee to participate in the plan varies by the coverage selection and the number of dependents; and may be subject to collective bargaining agreement. The employee may also elect to opt out of the Countys medical insurance if proof of coverage is provided. Under this arrangement, the employee is provided with an annual opt out payment.

II. Vision and Prescription

The coverage begins for the employee on the first of the month following the first full 30 days of full-time employment for employees and their eligible dependents. Contributions may vary, subject to collective bargaining agreement.

III. Dental Coverage

The coverage begins for the employee on the first of the month following the first full 30 days of full-time employment for employees and their eligible dependents. Contributions may vary, subject to collective bargaining agreement.

IV. Life Insurance

A $50,000 life insurance policy is afforded to full-time employees, 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.

V. Retirement

All full-time employees and part-time employees working more than 1,000 hours per year qualify for Luzerne County retirement benefits, in which employees must contribute 5% of their earnings, and may choose to add to an additional voluntary contribution, not to exceed an additional 10%.

01

Conducts program assessments to determine mental health program service gaps and needs; develops program objectives, plans, policies, and procedures; monitors mental health program services provided by contractors.

• Conducts program assessments to determine mental health program service gaps and needs; develops program I have experience CONDUCTING program assessments to determine mental health program service gaps and needs; DEVELOPING program objectives, plans, policies, and procedures; and MONITORING mental health program services provided by contractors.
• I have experience CONDUCTING program assessments to determine mental health program service gaps and needs; OR I have experience DEVELOPING program objectives, plans, policies, and procedures.
• I have experience MONITORING mental health program services provided by contractors.
• I have successfully completed college-level coursework related to policy development.
• I have NO experience or education related to this work behavior

02

Monitors service agreement contracts; determines if county agency and third-party service providers are adhering to state and county regulations, policies, procedures, and contractual obligations; and resolves problems and inconsistencies with services provided within the service agreements.

• I have experience RESOLVING problems and inconsistencies with services provided within the service agreements.
• I have experience MONITORING service agreement contracts; DETERMINING if service providers are adhering to regulations, policies, procedures, and contractual obligations; and NOTIFYING SOMEONE ELSE TO RESOLVE problems and inconsistencies with services provided within the service agreements.
• I have experience MONITORING service agreement contracts.
• I have successfully completed college-level coursework related to contract management or contract law.
• I have NO experience or education related to this work behavior

Required Question

Employer Luzerne County

Address Penn Place Building, Suite 225

20 N. Pennsylvania Avenue

Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, 18702

Phone 570-826-8801

Website http://www.luzernecounty.org