Position Description

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR JOB POSTING
Position Number: 00251219	Description Activated On: 2/12/2026 2:52:32 PM

Position Purpose: Describe the primary purpose of this position and how it contributes to the organization’s objectives. Example: Provides clerical and office support within the Division to ensure its operations are conducted efficiently and effectively.

The Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) is a Program Office within the Department of Human Services (DHS). OMHSAS Bureau of Policy, Planning, and Program Development is organized into three divisions, namely, the Division of Program Management and Planning and the Division of Program Development and the Division of Behavioral Health Policy. The Bureau is responsible for a wide range of policy/regulatory functions that include planning, service and system design, program monitoring and consultation, and development and promotion of evidence-based practices. The Bureau works in collaboration with other state agencies, counties, federal agencies, and private agencies that provide services to individuals with behavioral health needs.

This position is located within the Division of Behavioral Health Policy (DBHP) and supports a broad range of policy work to enhance the behavioral health system in Pennsylvania. DBHP staff require research skills including the ability to locate relevant regulations, statutes, and additional academic/professional literature and create accurate summaries of research findings. After conducting research, staff members should be able to draft policy documents while ensuring clarity, coherence, specificity, and alignment with other organizational or government policies and regulations. DBHP is responsible for a range of policy documents including bulletins, legislative analysis, regulation, regulatory policy clarification, and regulatory waivers. In addition, staff members monitor and analyze policy trends that may impact OMHSAS. Staff members must be able to create and maintain excel spreadsheets and complete basic data compilation/analysis using excel. Finally, writing reports is an essential duty of the Policy Unit to document research findings, policy recommendations, and outline strategies. Staff members must be able to write fact-based, well-structured reports for policymakers, government officials, and public stakeholders and effectively communicate policy rationale.

Description of Duties: Describe in detail the duties and responsibilities assigned to this position. Descriptions should include the major end result of the task. Example: Types correspondence, reports, and other various documents from handwritten drafts for review and signature of the supervisor.

The incumbent serves as a behavioral health policy analyst. The incumbent will assist and coordinate in the development and promulgation of behavioral health licensing and payment regulations. The incumbent will ensure appropriate drafting and issuance of regulatory waivers in accordance with the regulatory waiver process. The incumbent will research and write executive summaries and analyses of proposed legislation for review. The incumbent will develop, coordinate and write mental health bulletins to address policies and programmatic needs of OMHSAS and the behavioral health system.

This individual performs professional work involving research, collaboration, analysis, writing and coordination of a variety of stakeholder workgroups. The position requires clear judgement, initiative, and knowledge of substance use, behavioral health, and health fields. The incumbent performs work in an independent manner with support and direction from the Division Director. The incumbent is required to have strong writing and verbal skills to effectively communicate with all levels of government staff, federal, state, and local administrators, professional organizations, citizens, and other stakeholders requesting information.

The incumbent in this position functions as a policy analyst responsible for complex policy analysis and development including:
• Conducting policy analysis and research on issues impacting OMHSAS and the larger behavioral health system. Draft correspondence to stakeholders in response to inquiries on OMHSAS policy issues.
• Assisting in the development of new OMHSAS licensing and Behavioral Health Medicaid payment regulations.
• Leading revisions to current OMHSAS regulations to improve and provide for licensing and payment policies that positively impact OMHSAS stakeholders.
• Drafting policy documents including legislative analysis, bulletins, memorandums, and policy clarifications.
• Assisting in stakeholder feedback and engagement efforts around policy matters including supporting workgroups and other public forums, drafting surveys, and drafting educational materials to be used in public education of stakeholders.
• Supporting efforts to implement policy changes into the system including supporting the development of regulatory compliance guides, creating implementation plans for statutory changes, drafts FAQ documents, and develops and delivers education to support the field in implementing policy.
• Reviewing and drafting responses to regulatory waiver requests for approval by the Bureau Director.
• Processing annual Assisted Outpatient Treatment county opt outs in accordance with Act 106 of 2018.
• Moving documents through the OMHSAS approval process and DHS executive review processes.
• Providing or supporting the provision of trainings on OMHSAS Policy matters to internal and external stakeholders including other Bureaus, Counties, and providers.

Decision Making: Describe the types of decisions made by the incumbent of this position and the types of decisions referred to others. Identify the problems or issues that can be resolved at the level of this position, versus those that must be referred to the supervisor. Example: In response to a customer inquiry, this work involves researching the status of an activity and preparing a formal response for the supervisor’s signature.

The incumbent in this position carries out professional duties with support and direction from the Division Director of Behavioral Health Policy. Day-to-day operations and assignments are the responsibility of the position. Supervision is accomplished through assignment, review and evaluation of work performance.

Requirements Profile: Identify any specific experience or requirements, such as a licensure, registration, or certification, which may be necessary to perform the functions of the position. Position-specific requirements should be consistent with a Special Requirement or other criteria identified in the classification specification covering this position. Example: Experience using Java; Professional Engineer License

Experience:

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Essential Functions: Provide a list of essential functions for this position. Example: Transports boxes weighing up to 60 pounds.

1.	Communicate effectively in writing and orally
2.	Ability to write professional policy documents including regulations, regulatory waivers, bulletins, policy clarifications, and legislative analysis.
3.	Knowledge of behavioral health program standards and practices.
4.	Ability to interpret state and federal regulations and other policies.
5.	Review large volumes of documents including complex written studies and research material.
6.	Ability to convene and facilitate meetings.
7.	Conduct policy and regulatory analysis research.
8.	Travels, as necessary.
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