Reference #: 4475099 THE POSITION Do you possess dynamic leadership skills and have a passion for serving Pennsylvania's older adult population?  The Pennsylvania Department of Aging (PDA) is eager to welcome an Aging Services Specialist to assist in ensuring that all eligible residents receive the quality care and services for which they are entitled.  Join us in our mission to promote independence, purpose, and well-being in the lives of older adults through advocacy, service, and protection.  Our vision is a Pennsylvania where older adults are embraced and empowered to live and age with dignity and respect.  We look forward to hearing from you!

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

As an Aging Services Specialist, you will work in the Pennsylvania Department of Aging's Education and Outreach Office, serving as a Medicare subject matter expert and providing programmatic oversight and support to the local State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIPs) located in one of four regions.  SHIP provides education and counseling to Pennsylvania Medicare beneficiaries through staff and volunteers based out of 52 local Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) that serve Pennsylvania's 67 counties. Within this role, you will help programs to plan, receive, and allocate cooperative and competitive grants and contracts.  You will apply principles of formula funding in order to identify appropriate strategies specific to each county (e.g., providing for remote counseling services in a rural location), prepare and review allocation plans, ensure that monies are spent in accordance with program regulations, collect and analyze data, and ensure that accurate reporting is conducted where services are rendered for the purposes of planning and making further recommendations for program and policy improvement.

Excellent communication skills are utilized to train new staff and volunteer counselors, in addition to conducting on-going trainings, Medicare updates, and educational webinars for SHIP staff and volunteers to improve subject matter knowledge and counseling skill development.  You will collaborate and network with other agencies and bureaus to create and maintain positive and constructive working relationships.

Interested in learning more?  Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

Work Schedule and Additional Information: Full-time employment Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 60-minute lunch. You must reside in one of the following counties: Allegheny, Beaver, Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Fayette, Franklin, Fulton, Green, Huntingdon, Indiana, Somerset, Washington, or Westmoreland. Travel is required. Salary:In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable. You will receive further communication regarding this position via email.  Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.   REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY

QUALIFICATIONS Minimum Experience and Training Requirements: Two years of professional experience in a human services program, either in a research capacity or in providing social services to clients; and a bachelor's degree in the social or behavioral sciences, public health, or a related field; or An equivalent combination of experience and training, which includes two years of professional experience in a human services program, either in a research capacity of in providing social services to clients.

Other Requirements: You must meet the PA residency requirement.  For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency. Hiring preference for this vacancy may be given to candidates who live within PDA EO Southwest Region which includes Allegheny, Beaver, Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Fayette, Franklin, Fulton, Green, Huntingdon, Indiana, Somerset, Washington, and Westmoreland counties.  If no eligible candidates who live within these counties apply for this position, candidat s who reside in other counties may be considered. You must be able to perform essential job functions.

How to Apply: Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position.  Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education). If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements.  Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date.  Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted. Failure to comply with the above application requirements will eliminate you from consideration for this position.

Veterans:

Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. *7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs.  To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.employment.pa.gov/Additional%20Info/Pages/default.aspx and click the Veterans' Preference tab or contact us at ra-cs-vetpreference@pa.gov.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date. EXAMINATION INFORMATION

Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position.  No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam). Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions. Your score is valid for this specific posting only. You must provide complete and accurate information or: your score may be lower than deserved. you may be disqualified. You may only apply/test once for this posting. Your results will be provided via email.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.