Program Specialist II/Drug & Alcohol Coordinator

This position serves a critical leadership role in advancing the county's mission to provide accessible, high-quality, and evidence-based substance use disorder treatment and recovery support services. The incumbent is responsible for the clinical and administrative oversight of a countywide system of Drug and Alcohol Treatment, Intervention, and Recovery Support Services delivered through contracted and subcontracted providers. This role ensures that services are responsive to community needs, clinically appropriate, compliant with regulatory requirements, and aligned with state and county expectations, with particular attention to individuals and families most impacted by substance use.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

System Leadership & Clinical Oversight

Provide leadership, direction, and oversight of countywide substance use treatment and recovery support services across the full continuum of care, including inpatient and outpatient ASAM levels of care.

Monitor program quality, clinical integrity, and service delivery to ensure alignment with evidence-based practices and standards established by the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP).

Promote continuous quality improvement through data review, provider collaboration, and implementation of best practices outlined in the DDAP Treatment/Case Management Manual and internal Health and Human Services SCA policies.

Priority Populations & Provider Collaboration

Work collaboratively with provider agencies serving priority populations, with a particular emphasis on Pregnant and Parenting individuals and people who inject drugs.

Support the development and oversight of services that are trauma-informed, stigma-free, and responsive to the complex clinical and social needs of these populations.

Promote equitable access to treatment, harm reduction, and recovery supports by identifying gaps in services and working with providers to strengthen engagement, retention, and care coordination for priority populations.

Provider Management & Technical Assistance

Oversee and support contracted and subcontracted provider agencies through regular monitoring, consultation, and technical assistance.

Ensure provider compliance with all applicable county and state contracts, licensing requirements, and reporting obligations.

Collaborate with providers to address performance issues, support quality improvement efforts, and develop corrective action plans when necessary.

Internal Coordination & Service Expansion

Coordinate closely with programs and services within the Office of Drug and Alcohol and broader Health and Human Services departments to align care, reduce fragmentation, and enhance continuity of services.

Contribute to internal education efforts to increase staff awareness of priority population needs, evidence-based interventions, and available treatment and recovery resources.

Participate in planning and system development efforts to expand the availability, accessibility, and integration of services for Pregnant and Parenting individuals and people who inject drugs.

Planning, Evaluation & Community Needs Assessment

Lead or coordinate the annual Treatment Needs Assessment to evaluate community substance use trends, service gaps, and emerging needs, including those affecting priority populations.

Use assessment findings to inform service planning, funding strategies, and system enhancements aimed at improving outcomes and access to care.

Training & Workforce Development

Coordinate DDAP-mandated and county-sponsored training activities to support provider competency, regulatory compliance, and clinical excellence.

Promote ongoing workforce development focused on evidence-based care, harm reduction, and engagement of high-need populations.

Administrative & Supervisory Duties

Supervise assigned technical and clerical staff, providing guidance, performance oversight, and professional development as needed.

Prepare and review reports, documentation, and summaries related to program performance, compliance, and outcomes.

Work Environment & Accountability

This position functions independently with a high level of professional judgment under general supervision. Accountability and support are provided through regular supervisory meetings, progress reviews, written reports, and participation in monthly team meetings. The role requires the ability to balance clinical expertise, administrative responsibility, and collaborative system leadership.

Impact of the Role

This position offers a meaningful opportunity to strengthen a countywide treatment and recovery system, improve access to care for priority populations, and support healthier outcomes for individuals, families, and communities affected by substance use disorders.

A Master's Degree or above from an accredited college with a major in medicine, chemical dependency, psychology, social work, counseling, nursing (with a specialty in nursing/health administration, nursing/counseling education or a clinical specialty in the human services) or other behavioral sciences, public administration or business managementandtwo (2) years of professional experience providing direct service and/or program planning in a human service agency, including one (1) year supervising human service professionals; OR

A Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college with a major in chemical dependency, psychology, social work, counseling, nursing (with a specialty in nursing/health administration, nursing/counseling education or a clinical specialty in the human services) or other behavioral sciences, public administration or business management and four (4) years of professional experience providing direct service and/or program planning in a human service agency.

An Associate's Degree from an accredited college with a major in chemical dependency, psychology, social work, counseling, nursing (with a specialty in nursing/health administration, nursing/counseling education or a clinical specialty in the human services) or other behavioral sciences, public administration or business management and six (6) years of professional experience providing direct service and/or program planning in a human service agency.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; w; sit; and talk and hear. The employee is occasionally required to use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands or arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision and depth perception.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential function.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.