Clergy Support Coordinator-Dir. Of Mental Health Services

Job Description

Resumes are now being accepted for the position of Clergy Support Coordinator / Director of Mental Health Services for the Diocese of Pittsburgh.

The Clergy Support Coordinator position works in collaboration with the Secretary for Clergy and Consecrated Life (Vicar for Clergy) in order to develop a proactive and positive approach to the complex issues affecting the lives and ministries of the clergy. This position will seek to provide opportunities for development as well as on-going support for Diocesan clergy through collaboration, consultation, and communication. The priority is the on-going spiritual and psychological well-being of each clergy member, building and sustaining fraternal relationships, and supporting pastoral leadership.

As the Director of Mental Health Services, within the Office of Pre-Ordination Formation, who is passionate about contributing to the next generation of healthy, happy, and holy priests, recognizes the growing need for integrated mental health care that addresses the whole person based in Catholic anthropology. This position will provide robust services that help seminarians discern their vocation and undertake formation with freedom and dignity. The successful candidate will have the capacity to offer direct clinical services to seminarians, human formation workshops, and to serve on relevant seminary boards offering psychological consultation to admission and formation faculty.

Minimum Qualifications:

EDUCATION:
• Minimum of a terminal master's degree (MA, MS) in counseling, clinical psychology, clinical mental health counseling or related field OR doctoral degree (PhD, PsyD) in counseling, counseling psychology, clinical psychology or related field.
• Professional degree should be from an appropriately accredited program (CACREP, MPCAC, or APA).
• Licensed in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania at the master's level for professional counseling (LPC) or doctoral level as a psychologist (LP) and in good standing with the relevant state licensing board.

EXPERIENCE:
• Three (3) - Five (5) years progressively responsible experience in overseeing and monitoring the implementation of treatment plans.
• Therapeutic experience in individual and group therapy is preferred.
• Clinical and/or professional experiences relevant to working with this unique population.
• Ability to conduct intrastate telehealth services with the PsycPact or Compact credential or licensed in multiple states.
• Advanced professional certification(s) in clinical practice areas of sexual addiction, Catholic integration, and/or trauma.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS:
• Knowledge of United States Catholic Conference of Bishops (USCCB) Program of Priestly Formation (6th Edition, 2022).
• Familiarity with the Guidelines for the Use of Psychology in Seminary Admissions (2015).
• Strong Human Relations and Communication skills;
• Be able to work effectively within a team structure to carry out the mission of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, Pre-Ordination Formation.
• Have demonstrated basic-to-intermediate proficiency and interest in professional office technology and electronic clinical documentation.
• Have excellent communication, organizational, and multi-tasking skills with proven ability to work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Have professional decorum and ethical decision-making.
• Have a demonstrated commitment to clinical excellence.
• Have competence to integrate Catholic faith into clinical services and view of the human person.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.

ROUTINE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Clergy Support Coordinator Responsibilities

• Provide supportive services to clergy who are experiencing difficulties in their ministry as a result of psychological issues or impairment.
• Coordinate all arrangements for psychological evaluation/assessments for those clergy requiring psychological assistance for abuse issues, addictions, depression or any other mental health issues which interfere with the priest's ability to function in ministry.
• Provide necessary written background information to treatment facilities in order to facilitate accurate psychological evaluations.
• Serve as the liaison between treatment facilities and the Diocese in reporting treatment progress and outcomes to the Vicar for Clergy and Diocesan Bishop.
• Consult with local therapists to facilitate on-going assistance to priests receiving outpatient services.
• Collaborate with therapists who specialize in group work in order to provide adequate opportunity for ongoing support and development groups for clergy.
• Participate in seminary formation board meetings.
• Attend Pre-Personnel meetings with Vicar for Clergy and Diocesan Bishop.
• Attend regular support group meetings of those clergy who have completed residential treatment.
• Consult with clergy about the development of support groups that meet their identified needs to build and sustain fraternity and create a healthy environment for on-going leadership development and communication.
• Collaborate with Vicars, Parish Services, and Formation Secretariats about needs of clergy when possible and needed.
• Collaborate with Vicar for Clergy in planning Convocation and on-going formation experiences for clergy.

Director of Mental Health Services Responsibilities

• Offer direct, in-house clinical services to men in priestly formation for the Diocese of Pittsburgh, including individual counseling and group modalities.
• Act as a liaison between the seminary and the evaluating psychologist about the psychological assessment, including integration of recommendations and support needs of candidates.
• Collaborate with the Rector of Saint Paul Seminary and the Director of Pre-Ordination Formation, as well as the Formation Faculty concerning the health and well-being of the seminarians.
• Serve on the seminary admission and formation boards as a non-voting consultant, per the Program of Priestly Formation (6th Edition, 2022).
• Provide on-going consultation to admission and formation board members on matters of seminarian mental health and formation.
• Coordinate referrals to external mental health professionals as needed.
• Provide in-house, on-going human formation workshops on areas consistent with the Program of Priestly Formation such as self-control, virtue development, psychosexual health, and stress management.
• Offer bridge services and support to newly ordained priests through the transition from pre-ordination to post-ordination formation.

OTHER DUTIES:
• Maintain professional accreditations/certifications.
• As requested.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Employees are regularly required to talk or hear, in person and by telephone; use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate standard office equipment.
• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Employees are occasionally required to walk and stand and lift and move records and documents weighing 10 pounds or less.
• Ability to travel throughout the six (6) counties of the Diocese of Pittsburgh as well as to Saint Vincent Seminary in Latrobe, PA and the Baltimore, Washington DC schools of major theology attended by Diocesan seminarians.

A competitive salary will be offered to the successful candidate as well as a full-benefit package.

Qualified applicants should submit a resume and a letter of interest to:
Deacon Jeff Hirst, Director of Human Resources, at jhirst@diopitt.org.

Application materials must be received by September 28, 2026.

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