Program Specialist 4

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.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.