Program Specialist 4

Summary

PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF AGING OLDER ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES PROGRAM STATEMENT OF WORK – PROGRAM SPECIALIST 4 WORKING JOB TITLE: Program Specialist 4 - Protective Services Intensive Technical Assistance (PSITA) AGENCY: Department of Aging, Bureau of Protective Services INITIATIVE: Protective Services Intensive Technical Assistance (PSITA) POSITION TYPE: Contracted Full-Time/ Monday-Friday 37.5 hours (8:00am-4:30pm with one hour lunch 12pm-1pm) Number of positions: Three full time (3) Start Date: August 31st 2026 POSITION BACKGROUND This contracted position supports the Pennsylvania Department of Aging's Protective Services Intensive Technical Assistance (PSITA) initiative, funded through the FY2026 Elder Justice Act - Adult Protective Services grant. The PSITA initiative will support targeted, high-impact intervention on the most complex and time-intensive protective services cases across the Commonwealth's 52 Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs). MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Required: • Minimum of one (1) year of direct aging or adult protective services casework experience. • Three (3) years of professional experience in a human services program providing social services to clients, plus a bachelor's degree; or an equivalent combination of experience and training. • Criminal history report from the State Police and/or FBI must contain no disqualifying information. Preferred: • Prior experience working with or within Pennsylvania's Area Agency on Aging network. • Familiarity with the Older Adults Protective Services Act (OAPSA) and PA Code Title 6, Chapter 15 regulations. • Experience navigating multi-agency or interagency coordination in complex casework situations. • Knowledge of Federal Final Rule (FFR) requirements under 45 CFR Part 1324, particularly §1324.405 (case closure) and §1324.406 (interagency collaboration). DUTIES PSITA Case Support - Complex and Time-Intensive Cases • Recommend policies and procedures for development based on trends identified through discussions the Area Agencies on Aging • Assist with the development of reporting requirements • Provide input for future regulations, legislation and federal grant opportunities. • Provide intensive technical assistance to AAA protective services supervisors on cases most at risk of exceeding regulatory timeframes. • Direct protective services supervisors to essential collateral contacts (e.g., care providers, medical professionals, legal representatives, family members, other collaborative agencies/departments/entities) to advance stalled or complex investigations. • Utilize consultative medical professionals to assist with case-related assessments when necessary. • Identify and help resolve systemic barriers impeding timely case closure, escalating unresolvable barriers to PDA Bureau of Protective Services supervisory staff. • Ensure case records are completed in compliance with OAPSA provisions, applicable regulations, and legal and statutory timeframes. • Ensure all documentary records (interviews, medical and financial documents, etc.) are properly filed in PDA's standardized documentation system. Interagency Coordination and Stakeholder Liaison • Serve as a liaison between public and private stakeholders involved in complex protective services cases. • Foster cooperation and information-sharing among AAAs and other organizations serving older adults, in alignment with FFR §1324.406 interagency collaboration requirements. • Respond verbally or in writing to select inquiries from intra- and inter-departmental units, outside entities, as it relates to building collaborative support in risk mitigation. Policy Alignment and Program Support • Support PDA specialists in reviewing laws, policies, and procedures to ensure alignment with Federal Final Rule requirements and identify areas of misalignment. • Review and recommend modifications to program manuals and materials based on policy revisions; develop and update forms and files as needed. • Coordinate the collection of data to prepare reports; assist in tracking information and analyzing reports for supervisors as needed. • May be involved in incident reviews. • May assist in fair hearing preparation. Training and Participation • Participate in PSITA team meetings, AAA consultations, and PDA training as assigned. • Successfully complete training directed by the PA Department of Aging to enhance overall job performance. • Perform other related duties as required. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS • Safeguard the confidentiality of all clients and case information in accordance with OAPSA and applicable federal and state law. • Apply protective services legislation, rules, regulations, and operating procedures of the OAPSA, including FFR requirements under 45 CFR Part 1324. • Accurately and timely record information and meet all legal and statutory timeframes. • Demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills in interactions with AAA staff, stakeholders, and PDA Bureau of Protective Services supervisors. • Utilize a variety of computer software programs, including PDA's standardized documentation system. • Exercise sound professional judgment in identifying case barriers and recommending appropriate interventions. • Work effectively with minimal direct supervision in a fast-paced, high-volume environment. • Travel throughout the Commonwealth to areas that may not be accessible by public transportation • Perform other related work as directed by PDA Bureau of Protective Services supervisory staff.

Job Description

PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF AGING OLDER ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES PROGRAM STATEMENT OF WORK – PROGRAM SPECIALIST 4 WORKING JOB TITLE: Program Specialist 4 - Protective Services Intensive Technical Assistance (PSITA) AGENCY: Department of Aging, Bureau of Protective Services INITIATIVE: Protective Services Intensive Technical Assistance (PSITA) POSITION TYPE: Contracted Full-Time/ Monday-Friday 37.5 hours (8:00am-4:30pm with one hour lunch 12pm-1pm) Number of positions: Three full time (3) Start Date: August 31st 2026 POSITION BACKGROUND This contracted position supports the Pennsylvania Department of Aging's Protective Services Intensive Technical Assistance (PSITA) initiative, funded through the FY2026 Elder Justice Act - Adult Protective Services grant. The PSITA initiative will support targeted, high-impact intervention on the most complex and time-intensive protective services cases across the Commonwealth's 52 Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs). MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Required: • Minimum of one (1) year of direct aging or adult protective services casework experience. • Three (3) years of professional experience in a human services program providing social services to clients, plus a bachelor's degree; or an equivalent combination of experience and training. • Criminal history report from the State Police and/or FBI must contain no disqualifying information. Preferred: • Prior experience working with or within Pennsylvania's Area Agency on Aging network. • Familiarity with the Older Adults Protective Services Act (OAPSA) and PA Code Title 6, Chapter 15 regulations. • Experience navigating multi-agency or interagency coordination in complex casework situations. • Knowledge of Federal Final Rule (FFR) requirements under 45 CFR Part 1324, particularly §1324.405 (case closure) and §1324.406 (interagency collaboration). DUTIES PSITA Case Support - Complex and Time-Intensive Cases • Recommend policies and procedures for development based on trends identified through discussions the Area Agencies on Aging • Assist with the development of reporting requirements • Provide input for future regulations, legislation and federal grant opportunities. • Provide intensive technical assistance to AAA protective services supervisors on cases most at risk of exceeding regulatory timeframes. • Direct protective services supervisors to essential collateral contacts (e.g., care providers, medical professionals, legal representatives, family members, other collaborative agencies/departments/entities) to advance stalled or complex investigations. • Utilize consultative medical professionals to assist with case-related assessments when necessary. • Identify and help resolve systemic barriers impeding timely case closure, escalating unresolvable barriers to PDA Bureau of Protective Services supervisory staff. • Ensure case records are completed in compliance with OAPSA provisions, applicable regulations, and legal and statutory timeframes. • Ensure all documentary records (interviews, medical and financial documents, etc.) are properly filed in PDA's standardized documentation system. Interagency Coordination and Stakeholder Liaison • Serve as a liaison between public and private stakeholders involved in complex protective services cases. • Foster cooperation and information-sharing among AAAs and other organizations serving older adults, in alignment with FFR §1324.406 interagency collaboration requirements. • Respond verbally or in writing to select inquiries from intra- and inter-departmental units, outside entities, as it relates to building collaborative support in risk mitigation. Policy Alignment and Program Support • Support PDA specialists in reviewing laws, policies, and procedures to ensure alignment with Federal Final Rule requirements and identify areas of misalignment. • Review and recommend modifications to program manuals and materials based on policy revisions; develop and update forms and files as needed. • Coordinate the collection of data to prepare reports; assist in tracking information and analyzing reports for supervisors as needed. • May be involved in incident reviews. • May assist in fair hearing preparation. Training and Participation • Participate in PSITA team meetings, AAA consultations, and PDA training as assigned. • Successfully complete training directed by the PA Department of Aging to enhance overall job performance. • Perform other related duties as required. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS • Safeguard the confidentiality of all clients and case information in accordance with OAPSA and applicable federal and state law. • Apply protective services legislation, rules, regulations, and operating procedures of the OAPSA, including FFR requirements under 45 CFR Part 1324. • Accurately and timely record information and meet all legal and statutory timeframes. • Demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills in interactions with AAA staff, stakeholders, and PDA Bureau of Protective Services supervisors. • Utilize a variety of computer software programs, including PDA's standardized documentation system. • Exercise sound professional judgment in identifying case barriers and recommending appropriate interventions. • Work effectively with minimal direct supervision in a fast-paced, high-volume environment. • Travel throughout the Commonwealth to areas that may not be accessible by public transportation • Perform other related work as directed by PDA Bureau of Protective Services supervisory staff.