County Mental Health Program Specialist 1 (Local Government) - Lehigh County Mental Health

County Mental Health Program Specialist 1 (Local Government) - Lehigh County Mental Health

Salary

$75,005.00 Annually

Location

Lehigh County, PA

Job Type

Civil Service Permanent Full-Time

Job Number

CS-2026-61552-L0751

Department

Local Government

Division

HS Lehigh Co Mh/Id Unit

Opening Date

10/28/2026

Closing Date

11/10/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Job Code

L0751

Position Number

80002607

Union

Non-Union

Bargaining Unit

LG

Pay Group

LG

Bureau / Division Code

88213439

Bureau / Division

Lehigh County Mental Health

Worksite Address

17 South 7th Street

City

Allentown, Pennsylvania

Zip Code

18101

Contact Name

Danielle Guarna

Contact Phone

610.782.3171

Contact Email

danielleguarna@lehighcounty.org

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

THE POSITION

Join Lehigh County Mental Health as a County Mental Health Program Specialist 1 and help strengthen services that support individuals and families across the community. In this important leadership role, you will guide programs, work with service providers, and support quality mental healthcare. Your efforts will help improve outcomes and build strong partnerships throughout the county. Take advantage of this rewarding opportunity to make a lasting impact every day.

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

The County Mental Health Program Specialist 1 coordinates the Community Hospital Integration Project Program (CHIPP) and oversees the Blended Case Management Unit to support quality mental health services throughout the county. This position supervises staff, monitors programs, collaborates with providers and agencies, and helps improve services for individuals receiving support. As a County Mental Health Program Specialist 1, you will perform the following duties:

• Program Oversight: Monitor county funded mental health programs, review reports, and evaluate service outcomes to support continuous improvement
• Staff Supervision: Lead case management and CHIPP staff through regular supervision guidance training and performance reviews
• Provider Coordination: Collaborate with service providers, treatment teams, and community partners to address program and individual needs
• Case Planning: Facilitate support planning meetings and assist with complex cases transitions and community reintegration efforts
• Quality Monitoring: Track incidents, analyze operational data, and ensure services follow established requirements and procedures
• Community Engagement: Participate in outreach activities, planning meetings, and interagency partnerships that strengthen mental health services

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment
• Work hours are 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch.
• 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
• Any 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 Guidelines.
• Hiring preference for this vacancy may be given to candidates who live within Lehigh County. If no eligible candidates who live within Lehigh 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:

• 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 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

CS-INSTRUCTIONS V2 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.

• Yes

05

WORK BEHAVIOR 1 - PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT

Conducts needs assessments and develops program objectives, plans, policies, and procedures by conceptualizing service delivery methods, planning the timeline for program start-up, determining program organizational structures, and ensuring overall program effectiveness and compliance with federal and state laws, state and county guidelines and regulations, and county contractual agreements.

Levels of Performance

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

• A. I have experience as a lead conducting needs assessments or developing program objectives, plans, and procedures by conceptualizing service delivery methods, planning the timeline for program start-up, determining program organizational structures, and ensuring overall program effectiveness and compliance with federal and state laws, state and county guidelines and regulations, and county contractual agreements.
• B. I have experience as a member of a team compiling and analyzing program data for needs assessments, reviewing existing or previous program data, interpreting regulations to ensure program compliance, and analyzing the impact on business functions and program recipients.
• C. I have experience providing data for program plans, developing data collection methods, and testing proposed ideas as a supporting member of a team working to develop new programs and initiatives.
• 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 Work Behavior 1. Please be sure your response addresses the three items listed below. If you indicated you have no work experience related to this work behavior, type N/A in the box below.

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

07

WORK BEHAVIOR 2 - PROGRAM EVALUATION

Reviews, analyzes, and monitors the effectiveness of programs in meeting goals and objectives by reviewing documentation such as strategic plans, service utilization and development reports, and financial reports; compiles findings to assess whether programs operate cost effectively, explore programmatic or fiscal effects and implications of policy decision or proposed policy changes, and assure adherence to all applicable requirements and standards; recommends action necessary to resolve concerns; and responds 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 reviewing, analyzing, and monitoring the effectiveness of programs in meeting goals and objectives by reviewing documentation such as strategic plans, service utilization and development reports, and financial reports; AND compiling findings to assess whether programs operate cost effectively, exploring programmatic or fiscal effects and implications of policy decision or proposed policy changes, and assuring adherence to all applicable requirements and standards; AND recommending action necessary to resolve concerns; AND responding to inquiries from staff regarding effectiveness of the program under review.
• B. I have experience reviewing, analyzing, or monitoring specific aspects of programs in meeting goals and objectives by reviewing documentation; AND compiling findings to assess whether specific aspects of programs operate cost effectively, exploring programmatic or fiscal effects and implications of policy decision or proposed policy changes, and assuring adherence to all applicable requirements and standards; AND responding to inquiries from staff regarding effectiveness of the program under review.
• C. I have experience compiling documents and findings necessary to assess programs as a supporting member of a team and responding to inquiries from staff regarding effectiveness of programs.
• 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 Work Behavior 2. Please be sure your response addresses the three items listed below. If you indicated you have no work experience related to this work behavior, type N/A in the box below.

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

09

WORK BEHAVIOR 3 - CONTRACTED SERVICE AGREEMENTS

Monitors service agreement contracts to ensure county agency and third party service providers adhere to state and county regulations, policies and procedures, and contractual obligations; reviews pertinent documentation, evaluates data, compiles findings, and recommends actions for potential contracted service agreements; clarifies contract specifications; and resolves problems and inconsistencies with services provided within the service agreements.

Levels of Performance

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

• A. I have experience monitoring service agreement contracts to ensure county agency and third party service providers adhere to state and county regulations, policies and procedures, and contractual obligations; AND reviewing pertinent documentation, evaluating data, compiling findings, and recommending actions for potential contracted service agreements; AND clarifying contract specifications; AND resolving problems and inconsistencies with services provided within the service agreements.
• B. I have experience reviewing pertinent documentation, evaluating data, compiling findings, and recommending actions for potential contracted service agreements; AND clarifying contract specifications; AND resolving problems and inconsistencies with services provided within the service agreements.
• C. I have experience gathering data on related service agreements, obtaining information from prospective service providers, and identifying potential problems and inconsistencies with services provided from a service provider.
• 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 Work Behavior 3. Please be sure your response addresses the three items listed below. If you indicated you have no work experience related to this work behavior, type N/A in the box below.

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

11

WORK BEHAVIOR 4 - TRAINING/COMMUNITY EDUCATION

Identifies areas for skill development needed by agency staff and contract service providers and provides training and technical assistance based on identified needs by developing and coordinating training classes and programs, providing classroom training, and conducting post-training assessments; meets with federal, state, and county agencies, community organizations, and contract service providers to explain county programs, objectives, and policies and to identify impact resulting from changes in laws and regulations; coordinates services utilized by multiple agencies; serves as a liaison to the public to build and maintain relationships and communicate changes by organizing and conducting meetings to promote program initiatives and preparing presentations on services and programs available in designated areas.

Levels of Performance

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

• A. I have experience developing and coordinating training classes and programs for agency staff and contract service providers by providing classroom training and conducting post-training assessments; AND meeting with federal, state, and county agencies, community organizations, and contract service providers to explain county programs, objectives, and policies and to identify impact resulting from changes in laws and regulations; AND coordinating services utilized by multiple agencies; AND serving as a liaison to the public to build and maintain relationships and communicate changes by organizing and conducting meetings to promote program initiatives and preparing presentations on services and programs available in designated areas.
• B. I have experience as a trainer or professional providing training and technical assistance to agency staff based on identified needs by providing classroom training and conducting post-training assessments; AND meeting with federal, state, and county agencies, community organizations, and contract service providers to explain county programs, objectives, and policies; AND serving as a liaison to the public to build and maintain relationships by conducting meetings to promote program initiatives and preparing presentations on services and programs available in designated areas.
• C. I have experience conducting post-training assessments by gathering data from post-training skill assessment surveys and assisting team members in conducting meetings to promote program initiatives and preparing presentations on services and programs available in designated areas.
• D. I have NO experience related to this work behavior.

12

In the text box below, please describe your experience as it relates to the level of performance you claimed in Work Behavior 4. Please be sure your response addresses the three items listed below. If you indicated you have no work experience related to this work behavior, type N/A in the box below.

• The name of the employer(s) where you gained this experience
• The actual duties you performed related to training/community education
• Your level of responsibility

13

WORK BEHAVIOR 5 - SUPERVISION

Supervises case management staff, nurses, and masters level therapists performing the full range of supervisory functions including assigning work, monitoring and reviewing work, identifying training needs, providing training, preparing employee performance evaluations, approving leave, taking disciplinary actions, and resolving complaints and grievances; meeting regularly with staff to review work assignments and providing guidance on work assignments; participating in the performance of subordinates work consistent with operational or organizational requirements.

• A. I have experience supervising professional, paraprofessional, and clerical staff by performing the full range of supervisory functions including assigning work, monitoring and reviewing work, identifying training needs, providing training, preparing employee performance evaluations, approving leave, taking disciplinary actions, and resolving complaints and grievances; and meeting regularly with staff to review work assignments and providing guidance on work assignments; and participating in the performance of subordinates work consistent with operational or organizational requirements.
• B. I have experience as a lead worker for professional, paraprofessional, and clerical staff by assigning work and identifying appropriate training as needed; and meeting regularly with staff to review work assignments; and participating in the performance of the work team as needed.
• C. I have experience as a member of a work team interpreting assignment instructions or procedures and assisting with training; OR I have completed coursework related to this work behavior such as human resources, organizational behavior, etc.
• D. I have NO experience or education related to this work behavior.

14

In the text box below, please describe your experience as it relates to the level of performance you claimed in Work Behavior 5. Please be sure your response addresses the three items listed below. If you indicated you have no work experience related to this work behavior, type N/A in the box below.

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

15

If you have selected the level of performance pertaining to college coursework, please provide your responses to the three items listed below. If you indicated you have no education/training related to this work behavior, type N/A in the text box below.

• College/University
• Course Title
• Credits/Clock Hours

16

WORK BEHAVIOR 6 - PREPARES REPORTS

Prepares narrative reports, case records, progress notes, letters, and other documentation utilizing applicable computer software and databases.

• A. I have experience preparing narrative reports, case records, progress notes, letters, and other documentation utilizing applicable computer software/databases. I was responsible for all of the final products.
• B. I have experience preparing portions of narrative reports; however, I was not responsible for the final report. I have experience preparing case records, progress notes, letters and other documentation utilizing applicable computer software/databases and I was responsible for these final products.
• C. I have completed college-level coursework or other training related to this work behavior such as report writing, technical writing, business writing, or English composition.
• D. I have NO experience or education related to this work behavior.

17

In the text box below, please describe your experience as it relates to the level of performance you claimed in Work Behavior 6. Please be sure your response addresses the three items listed below. If you indicated you have no work experience related to this work behavior, type N/A in the box below.

• The name of the employer(s) where you gained this experience
• The actual duties you performed related to this work behavior including type(s) of reports (or other correspondence) you prepared
• Your level of responsibility

18

If you have selected the level of performance pertaining to college coursework, please provide your responses to the three items listed below. If you indicated you have no education/training related to this work behavior, type N/A in the text box below.

• College/University
• Course Title
• Credits/Clock Hours

Required Question

Employer Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Address 613 North Street

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 17120

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