Project Manager, Justice Collaborations (Reentry Initiatives & CT-R Study Coordination) 

Allegheny County Department of Human Services (ACDHS) 

At the Allegheny County Department of Human Services (DHS), our mission is to improve the welfare of the County’s most vulnerable residents. We operate, influence, and fund essential services worth over $1 billion. More than 200,000 residents each year depend on these services, which include treatment for mental health and substance use disorders, housing and homelessness prevention, and child and older adult protective services. Over the past 20 years, we have built a national reputation for using data and analytics to deliver more effective and efficient public services. Above all, we are convinced that there remain significant opportunities to improve the lives of our clients and for DHS to extend its leadership role in inspiring governments to make similar investments. 

The Project Manager will join the Justice Collaborations team at DHS—a team dedicated to advancing public health and community-centered approaches to safety. Justice Collaborations leads efforts to reduce incarceration, improve crisis response, prevent violence, and strengthen reentry supports. This position focuses on reentry programming for people in and leaving the Allegheny County Jail (ACJ), with responsibilities split between two primary focus areas: 

1. Coordination of CT-R Research Study (~50%+) 

Allegheny County is launching a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to evaluate the impact of Cognitive Therapy for Recovery (CT-R) and short-term financial supports for people exiting ACJ, compared to business-as-usual reentry services. CT-R is considered a “software upgrade” to traditional cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)—a strengths-based, recovery-oriented approach designed to promote hope, purpose, and resilience. The Project Manager will coordinate this multi-year study in partnership with CT-R service providers, referral sources, and research teams, ensuring fidelity to the research design, high-quality data collection, and strong participant engagement. 

Key Responsibilities: 

Participant Recruitment & Engagement 

• Build and maintain strong relationships with referral sources (e.g., jail reentry staff, probation officers, community organizations). 

• Conduct field outreach and recruitment at sites including the jail, treatment facilities, and community reentry hubs. 

• Regularly visit service locations to engage with program staff and ensure adherence to study protocols. 

• Identify and troubleshoot barriers to enrollment and participant retention. 

Study Implementation & Monitoring 

• Coordinate participant randomization and ensure assignment to appropriate interventions. 

• Monitor intervention fidelity and participant engagement across all study arms. 

• Support collection of baseline and follow-up surveys to ensure high-quality data. 

• Track participant flow and key study activities, escalating issues as needed. 

Compliance & Reporting 

• Maintain study documentation and contribute to reporting for funders, institutional review boards (IRBs), and internal stakeholders. 

• Coordinate with DHS’s data and analytics team to ensure alignment with evaluation goals. 

• Monitor implementation quality and raise challenges or deviations in real time. 

2. Broader Reentry Program Support (~50%) 

In addition to managing the CT-R study—one component of a broader set of reentry programs aimed at supporting successful transitions from jail to community—the Project Manager will support system-wide efforts to improve outcomes for people returning from incarceration. This includes contributing to the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of reentry services; strengthening coordination across agencies; and advancing strategic initiatives that promote stability, equity, and long-term success for individuals leaving the Allegheny County Jail. 

Key Responsibilities: 

Program Oversight & Implementation 

• Provide daily operational management of reentry initiatives, ensuring progress toward defined goals and deliverables. 

• Facilitate collaborative planning, coordination, and execution of reentry strategies. 

• Support system partners—such as community-based organizations, law enforcement, and courts—in embedding reentry best practices. 

• Maintain strong working relationships with a broad set of stakeholders and partners. 

• Plan and lead action-oriented meetings with project teams, workgroups, and coalitions. 

Research, Evaluation & Strategic Planning 

• Analyze program outcomes and identify opportunities for system improvement. 

• Research and write reports, grant applications, and internal memos to support innovation and implementation. 

• Coordinate data collection and outcome tracking with DHS’s analytics team and external partners. 

• Identify and elevate policy or systems-level barriers that impact reentry success. 

• Support development and execution of quality improvement plans with reentry providers. 

Qualifications & Experience: 

• Strong project management skills, including planning, coordination, and execution of complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives. 

• Initiative to take ownership of projects and deliver quality work within required timeframes, using a collaborative approach. 

• Proven problem-solving ability, with capacity to anticipate and address barriers. 

• Experience working with justice-involved populations and understanding of the criminal justice, behavioral health, and reentry landscapes. 

• Outstanding organizational and communication skills, including comfort working with government leaders, providers, and community-based organizations. 

• Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously and independently. 

• Commitment to racial equity and sensitivity to cultural diversity. 

• Experience with Microsoft Office applications, especially Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook. 

• Familiarity with program evaluation, performance measurement, or continuous improvement is a plus. 

• Direct experience with government systems, community-led organizations, or foundations preferred. 

Reports to: 
Manager, Justice Collaborations (Analytics, Technology & Planning), Allegheny County DHS 

Education/Experience Requirements:
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university in a related field, plus 5 years of previous experience working in project management, program planning, or program development. A valid driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle are required. 

-OR- 

Any equivalent combination of education and experience which meets the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. A valid driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle are required. DHS honors a wide range of professional and academic experiences as valid pathways to employment in local government. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds to consider how their work, volunteering, and community experiences, even if not directly related to this role, can help demonstrate the previously listed skills and qualifications. Lived experience is highly valued. Please provide a cover letter that is customized for this role. Applications lacking a tailored cover letter will not be considered. 

WHY DHS? 

You can make a big impact here.  We stand out as one of the best human services organizations in the country.  But we need problem-solvers, innovators, and terrific leaders to make sure we are smart in how we use our funding so that we reach the people who most need our help to make lives better.  

“DHS strives to be the kind of place where a diverse mix of talented people want to come to grow and do their best work.” 

-From the organization’s statement on Equity and Inclusion