Program Specialist 4 with Security Clearance

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 § (case closure) and § (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 time frames.
* 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 time frames.
* 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 § 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…