Program Specialist - School Based
Salary
$53,000.00 Annually
Location
111 N. Pennsylvania Avenue, Wilkes-Barre, PA
Job Type
Full-time
Job Number
02090
Department
Children & Youth
Opening Date
09/28/2026
Closing Date
10/12/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
- Description
- Benefits
- Questions
Description
An employee in this class reviews, administers, analyzes, evaluates, monitors and coordinates children, youth and families program objectives, policies, and operations of organizational segments of a county children, youth and families agency. Employees provide administrative services to agency staff concerning program planning, interpreting overall program objectives and advising on problems related to the coordination of the children, youth and families agency. Important aspects of the work are reviewing and analyzing existing data concerning children, youth and families programs, preparing reports, evaluating program effectiveness, and recommending changes in operational methods. Assignments are specialized in nature and limited to selected areas of operation and methods employed. Supervision may be exercised over professional, sub-professional and clerical staff. Work is performed under the supervision of an administrative supervisor and is reviewed through conferences and reports.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- The School-Based Services Supervisor is responsible for the day-to-day supervision, coordination, and development of a school-based unit providing preventative and supportive services to children, youth, and families within the community. The Program specialist provides leadership to staff working in school settings and ensures that services are delivered in a trauma-informed, strengths-based, culturally responsive, and family-centered manner.
- The Program Specialist will work collaboratively with schools, families, community organizations, and behavioral health providers, to identify children and families in need of support and develop effective preventative interventions designed to strengthen families, promote child safety and well-being, reduce the need for more intensive services, and prevent unnecessary placement or involvement with the child welfare system.
- Provide direct supervision, guidance, and support to school-based staff providing preventative and family-support services.
- Conduct regular individual and team supervision meetings to monitor caseloads, service quality, documentation, and staff performance.
- Provide coaching, mentoring, and professional development opportunities to staff.
- Monitor staff workload, productivity, and service outcomes.
- Address performance concerns in accordance with agency policies and procedures.
- Promote a positive, collaborative, and professional team environment.
- Oversee the implementation and delivery of preventative services within assigned school settings.
- Develop and strengthen partnerships with school administrators, counselors, teachers, social workers, and other school personnel.
- Assist in identifying children and families who may benefit from early intervention, family support, behavioral health, or other community-based services.
- Ensure that services focus on early identification and intervention before concerns escalate to the point of requiring more intensive child welfare involvement.
- Support staff in developing individualized service plans that address identified family and child needs.
- Promote evidence-informed, trauma-informed, and strengths-based approaches to service delivery.
- Facilitate connections to community resources, including behavioral health, housing, food assistance, healthcare, parenting education, educational supports, and other appropriate services.
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Knowledge of the principles and practices of children, youth and families 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 children, youth and families.
- Knowledge of the basic principles and methods involved in working with socially maladjusted or physically or mentally disadvantaged children and youth.
- Knowledge of the structure, organization, and methods of public and private children, youth and families 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 children, youth and families program plans.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with departmental staff and other agencies.
- Ability to make clear and pertinent statements, orally and in writing.
Minimum Qualifications
ELIGIBILITY -ALL CANDIDATE(S): To be eligible for consideration for this position, an applicant must meet all the following requirements:
- Meet the minimum experience and training (METs) required for this position.
- Two years of professional level experience in the field of children, youth and families; and a bachelors degree; Or
- Any equivalent combination of experience and training.
RECRUITMENT METHOD(S):
- Applicants must meet one (or more) of the following methods(s) to be considered for this vacancy:
- Be on an eligible list for the job title; OR
- Be eligible for reassignment or transfer to the job title; OR
- Be eligible for consideration for voluntary demotion.
SELECTION CRITERIA:
- Meet the minimum experience and training required for the job.
- Meritorious Service, defined as (a) the absence of any discipline above the level of written reprimand during the 12 months preceding the closing date on the posting, and (b) the last due overall regular or probationary performance evaluation was higher than unsatisfactory
- Seniority, defined as a minimum of twelve months in the next lower class(es) by the posting closing date.
HOW TO APPLY-ALL CANDIDATES:
All CANDIDATES must apply through the link provided below:
https://www.governmentjobs.com/CAREERS/LUZERNECOUNTY
Position Details:
L0747 - CY&F PROGRAM SPECIALIST 1
Full Time
Union
Pay Range 39
Location: 111 N. PENNSYLVANIA AVE, WILKES BARRE, PA 18702
Contact:
Megan Stone
Human Services Division Head
570-826-8800
megan.stone.ohs@LuzerneCounty.org
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
Develops and implements children, youth, and families program objectives, plans, policies, and procedures.
- I have experience DEVELOPING children, youth, and families program objectives, plans, policies, and procedures.
- I have experience IMPLEMENTING children, youth, and families program objectives, plans, policies, and procedures that SOMEONE ELSE developed.
- I have experience DEVELOPING OR IMPLEMENTING objectives, plans, policies, and procedures for programs OTHER THAN children, youth, and families.
- I have successfully completed college-level coursework related to policy development or organizational communication.
- I have NO experience or education related to this work behavior.
02
Serves as a liaison to community partners and providers to identify and provide appropriate resources to positively impact children, youth and families.
- I have experience serving as a liaison to partners and providers of children, youth, and families programs.
- I have experience serving as a liaison to partners and providers of a human services program OTHER THAN children, youth, and families.
- I have successfully completed college-level coursework related to customer service relations or communications.
- 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