POSITION: SENIOR PROGRAM SPECIALIST – DIVERSION PROGRAM
Full-Time; 80 hours per pay
DEPARTMENT: CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILY SERVICES
Troy A. Wood Human Services Complex, Franklin, PA
PAY GRADE: HUMAN SERVICES EXEMPT PAY GRADE 1
Starting rate: $61,745.25/yr.
OVERALL OBJECTIVE OF JOB
To direct and monitor special support programs in the County Children and Family Systems. To serve as a monitor to direct and coordinate the Child Welfare Diversion program and the “Families Are Worth It” program. To provide direct support to all supervisors in the County Children and Family System. To join the on call and supervisor of the day rotation and to provide intermittent supervision to direct service staff in their supervisor’s absence. To coordinate the completion of procedures following an emergency placement while acting as a liaison between all Venango County Children and Family agencies through case transfers.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED
This position has no direct reports; however, when acting as an intermittent supervisor will be responsible for assigning tasks, providing direction, etc., for service coordinators assigned.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED
General supervision is received from the Program Manager of the Children and Families System and is reviewed through conferences, reports and results attained.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE JOB
1. Provides substitute supervision to Service Coordinators during their supervisor’s absence. This includes but is not limited to completing 10-day reviews, approving Risk and Safety Assessments, FAST, CANS, and Service Authorizations, and providing general guidance to the Service Coordinator.
2. Facilitates Clinical Review Team meetings to determine the appropriateness of a family to enroll in the Diversion Program and/or other programs implemented to provide services to individuals and families.
3. Schedule and coordinate Clinical Review Team Meetings daily to review all CPS referrals, child placements, crisis events, case closings, and SHIFT program updates.
4. Assists agency staff with the completion of proper procedures following an emergency placement (completion of appropriate documentation).
5. Coordinates the case transitioning process between the agency’s various departments (PIC Unit, On-going Unit, and Foster/Kinship Care).
6. Monitors families who are currently in the Diversion program and reports to CYFS management staff progress and issues.
7. Coordinates service delivery between families and service providers for the Diversion program. This includes being the agency’s contact person both for the families and service providers during the family’s time involved with the service provider.
8. Makes referrals to the PIC Unit for families who are in need of case management and no longer appropriate for the Diversion program.
9. Discharges families from the Diversion program when they have appropriately completed services or have been transitioned back to case management.
10. Receives and sends ICPC information and requests through Docushare.
11. Acts as an authorized user of the CAPS system and runs reports as necessary.
12. Conducts searches and authorizes the release of records when requests are received for Adoption Files.
13. Coordinates Multidisciplinary Team Meetings and participates in agency meetings addressing the overall quality of service a child and family received to include: re-entry, re-abuse, CRT, etc.
14. Co-facilitates the agency response to Fatality/Near Fatality incidents by scheduling and attending Act 33 meetings and writing 30-day reports.
15. Participates in the On-Call and Supervisor of the Day rotation for PIC and CYFS.
16. Runs Criminal Background Checks as needed through JNET.
17. Tracks and notifies staff of toxicology results for Drugs of Abuse Sweat Patches.
OTHER DUTIES OF THE JOB
1. Assists with the yearly audit and the QSR during scheduled years.
2. Attends training, in-services and meetings, as required.
3. Attends certification training as required under Act 151 of the Child Protective Services Law, Title 23 PA., CS & Chapter 6.
4. Attends 20 hours of mandatory training per year.
5. Performs other job-related work as required.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
1. Must be able to speak and understand the English language in an understandable manner in order to carry out essential functions of job.
2. Must possess good communication and interpersonal skills.
3. Must possess initiative and problem-solving skills.
4. Must possess ability to function independently, have flexibility and the ability to work effectively with individuals, coworkers and others.
5. Must possess ability to maintain confidentiality in regard to individual’s information and records.
6. Must possess ability to utilize personal computers and other office equipment and to prepare required reports.
7. Must possess ability to make accurate observations and documentation of same in regard to individuals’ needs.
8. Must possess academic knowledge and skill in promoting therapies, social service work, and skills with children, youth, and families.
9. Must possess knowledge of psychological, psychiatric and medical reports.
10. Must possess ability to provide structured and unstructured life skills instructions and guidance to individuals.
11. Must possess the ability to express empathy and understanding to all individuals.
12. Must be able to interact effectively with children and youth, department staff, counselors, attorneys, and the courts.
13. Must have extensive knowledge of the judicial and court systems as it relates to youth services.
14. Must have the ability to provide technical and administrative guidance in regard to overall operation of the department’s functions.
15. Must have knowledge of program, policies and procedures in order to promote program to staff, general public and other agencies as necessary.
16. Must possess critical thinking skills.
17. Must have the ability to understand performance-based objectives.
18. Must be knowledgeable of County services and understand the agency’s referral process for services.
19. Must possess a valid Pennsylvania Driver’s License and daily access to reliable transportation.
QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor’s degree in the social welfare field and 4 years of professional casework or human service experience; or Bachelor’s degree in unrelated field that includes at least 12 credits in social welfare and 5 years of professional casework or human service; orMaster’s degree in the social welfare field and 2 years of professional casework or human service experience; or 3 years of experience as a Venango County Service Coordinator.
Clearances:
· Must work in conjunction with employer to apply for Act 34 PA State Police Criminal History, Act 151 PA Child Abuse and FBI clearances prior to employment. Clearances currently possessed that are less than 4 years old will be accepted until new clearances are available. All clearances must reflect acceptable results.
· Must not appear on Preclusion Lists as defined by “Pennsylvania’s Medical Assistance Bulletin 99-11-05 Provider Screening of Employees and Contractors for Exclusion from Participating in Federal Healthcare Programs.”
· Must successfully complete pre-employment drug screening.
HOW TO APPLY
All interested, qualified county employees should contact Human Resources at 814-432-9758. An internal job posting/bid application is required. Qualified applicants must pass an interview.
DEADLINE TO APPLY: FRIDAY, JULY 10, 2026 AT 4:00 P.M.
WE ARE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.
**DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE**
APPLICANTS WHO REQUIRE SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS DUE TO A DISABILITY SHOULD CONTACT 814-432-9552 FOR ASSISTANCE.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $61,745.25 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Loan forgiveness
- Paid time off
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply
Application Question(s):
Education:
Experience:
- Social work: 4 years (Preferred)
License/Certification:
- Driver's License (Preferred)
Work Location: In person
