Forensic Behavioral Health Program Specialist 1 (County MH Program Specialist 1) (Local Govt.)

Forensic Behavioral Health Program Specialist 1 (County MH Program Specialist 1) (Local Govt.)

Salary

$59,374.19 Annually

Location

Westmoreland County, PA

Job Type

Civil Service Permanent Full-Time

Job Number

CS-2026-61235-L0751

Department

Local Government

Division

HS Westmoreland Co Mh/Id Unit

Opening Date

10/22/2026

Closing Date

11/4/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Job Code

L0751

Position Number

Multiple positions may be filled from this posting.

Union

Non Union

Bargaining Unit

LG

Pay Group

LG

Bureau / Division Code

88213465

Bureau / Division

Westmoreland County Behavioral Health and Developmental Services

Worksite Address

40 N Pennsylvania Ave. Suite 110

City

Greensburg, Pennsylvania

Zip Code

15601

Contact Name

Cassandra Adams

Contact Phone

724.830.3627

Contact Email

cadams@westmorelandcountypa.gov

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

THE POSITION

The Forensic Program Specialist 1 position with Westmoreland County Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (BHDS) offers a meaningful chance to support individuals with mental health needs as they move through the criminal justice system. This role allows you to guide people toward resources that can strengthen their stability and improve their quality of life. We offer a supportive work environment and generous benefit package. Apply today and help build connections that encourage positive growth and long-term success.

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

This position focuses on identifying needs, coordinating services, and supporting individuals with mental health challenges who are involved at any point in the criminal justice system. As a Forensic Program Specialist 1, you will perform the following duties:

• Client Coordination: Support individuals with mental health needs through education, planning, and resource identification
• Issue Resolution: Develop strategies that address challenges for people moving through the criminal justice system
• Cross-System Collaboration: Work with courts, crisis services, probation, providers, and other partners to explore diversion options
• Resource Management: Maintain an updated list of services including treatment, housing, vocational supports, transportation, and other needs
• Documentation Accuracy: Record service contacts and case details in a clear and timely manner
• Community Education: Provide information and outreach to criminal justice professionals and community partners

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment
• Work hours are 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with 30-minute lunch.
• Occasional need to work or attend meetings after hours or on weekends. Compensation provided.
• Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time. Employee will be eligible for up to two days of telework per week after successful completion of a six month probationary period and director approval. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in Greensburg. The ability to telework is subject to change at any time. Additional details may be provided during the interview.
• 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.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Legal Requirements:

• You must pass a background investigation.
• A conditional offer of employment will require a drug screening.
• 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 you answer this question based on education 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 https://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 - QUALITY MANAGEMENT/IMPROVEMENT PLAN

Develops, implements, and monitors a continuous quality management/improvement plan for behavioral health programs. Levels of Performance

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

• a. I have experience DEVELOPING, IMPLEMENTING, AND MONITORING a continuous quality management/improvement plan for behavioral health programs.
• b. I have experience IMPLEMENTING AND MONITORING a continuous quality management/improvement plan for behavioral health programs.
• c. I have experience DEVELOPING, IMPLEMENTING, OR MONITORING a quality management/improvement plan for a program OTHER THAN behavioral health.
• d. I have successfully completed college-level coursework related to quality assurance or compliance.
• e. I have NO experience or education 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
• Your experience developing, implementing, or monitoring a quality management/improvement plan
• The type of program(s) for which the quality management/improvement plan was developed, implemented, or monitored

07

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

08

WORK BEHAVIOR 2 - LIAISON

Serves as a liaison for providers implementing programs related to social determinants of health and housing-related initiatives and provides technical assistance to ensure program effectiveness. Represents the agency in community meetings to provide education and gather needs information, managed-care Quality Management Committee meetings, and complaint or grievance meetings. Levels of Performance

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

• a. I have experience serving as a liaison to providers of behavioral health programs by providing technical assistance AND serving as a representative at community or committee meetings.
• b. I have experience serving as a liaison to providers of behavioral health programs by providing technical assistance OR serving as a representative at community or committee meetings.
• c. I have experience serving as a liaison by providing technical assistance to others or serving as a representative at meetings OTHER THAN those related to behavioral health.
• d. I have successfully completed college-level coursework related to customer service relations.
• e. I have NO experience or education related to this work behavior.

09

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
• Your experience serving as a liaison
• Your experience providing technical assistance
• Your experience serving as a representative at meetings

10

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

11

WORK BEHAVIOR 3 - DATA ANALYSIS

Collects, analyzes, and interprets data related to behavioral health programs. Develops utilization and data analysis reports for internal and external use. Makes recommendations on outcome development and quality improvement. Levels of Performance

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

• a. I have experience collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data related to behavioral health or other human service programs; developing utilization and data analysis reports; AND making recommendations on outcome development and quality improvement.
• b. I have experience collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data; AND developing utilization and data analysis reports for behavioral health or other human service programs.
• c. I have experience collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data related to behavioral health or other human service programs.
• d. I have successfully completed college-level coursework related to statistics or data analysis.
• e. I have NO experience or education 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 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
• Your experience collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data
• Your experience developing utilization and data analysis reports
• Your experience making recommendations on outcome development and quality improvement
• The type of program(s)

13

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