Mental Health Review Officer (1099 Contractor, Non-Employee)

This is a 1099 contractor (non-employee) position with the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania. Filing deadline: November 3, 2026.

About the role

This position involves professional legal work primarily as a hearing officer to conduct legal proceedings, conferences, or hearings concerning involuntary mental health hearings, extended involuntary emergency treatment, court-ordered involuntary treatment, or transfer hearings consistent with the requirements of the Mental Health Procedures Acts of 1966 and 1976, as amended, case law, and controlling local rules. Hearing sites may include, but are not limited to: Friends Hospital, Albert Einstein Medical Center, Girard Medical Center, Norristown State Hospital, Philadelphia Detention Center, and other places as may be determined from time to time by the Court or President Judge.

The Mental Health Review Officer is responsible for all clerical support needs required by the position, including the recording of proceedings utilizing software provided by the Court (i.e., Zoom, Mental Health E-Filing System) or in any other manner determined by the Court, conducting hearings utilizing the Civil Mental Health Electronic Filing System, entering appropriate certifications or other orders, and filing same electronically as required by Philadelphia Civil Rule No. 7109.1. The officer meets and reports to the President Judge, First Judicial District staff, and coordinators of the Civil Mental Health Program on issues affecting the operations of the Mental Health Program.

Responsibilities

• Conduct legal proceedings, conferences, or hearings concerning involuntary mental health hearings, extended involuntary emergency treatment, court-ordered involuntary treatment, or transfer hearings consistent with the Mental Health Procedures Acts of 1966 and 1976, as amended, case law, and controlling local rules.
• Manage all clerical support needs, including recording proceedings using Court-provided software (Zoom, Mental Health E-Filing System), conducting hearings via the Civil Mental Health Electronic Filing System, entering certifications and orders, and filing electronically per Philadelphia Civil Rule No. 7109.1.
• Meet and report to the President Judge, First Judicial District staff, and Civil Mental Health Program coordinators on operational issues.
• Provide the Court with Tax ID number, current address, email address, telephone and cell phone numbers for contact as needed.
• Provide monthly availability for preparation of the monthly hearing schedule; inform the Court at least 48 hours in advance of any schedule changes due to unanticipated emergencies.
• Provide disposition summaries or other statistics as required by the Court.
• Hold informal conferences and hearings on all applications and petitions filed under the Civil Mental Health Procedures Acts of 1966 and 1976, including prison hearings and petitions under criminal sections of the MHPA (Section 401 et seq.), using the Civil Mental Health Electronic Filing System or other Court-provided systems.
• Be available all day (approximately 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM or later) to preside over morning and afternoon lists at different sites as assigned.
• Dispose of all cases scheduled on each assigned list and issue certifications and orders as required.
• Conduct hearings and issue orders using the Civil Mental Health Electronic Filing System, entering certifications and orders online at the time of hearing along with any documentation introduced.
• Conduct conflict checks.

Requirements

• Graduate of an accredited law school.
• Five years prior work experience as an attorney.
• Member of the Pennsylvania Bar in good standing.
• Successful completion of a criminal background investigation.
• Knowledgeable in all respects with the Pennsylvania Mental Health Procedures Acts of 1966 and 1976, as amended, all applicable local rules, and the operations and procedures of the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas as they relate to the Mental Health Procedures Act.

Skills

• Knowledge of Pennsylvania law concerning the Mental Health Procedures Act (50 P.S. § 7101 et seq., especially § 7301).
• Knowledge of Philadelphia Civil Rule No. 7109.
• Considerable knowledge of the components and functions of the criminal justice and civil trial systems.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with members of the judiciary, court personnel, departmental administrators, attorneys, doctors, and hospital staff.
• Knowledge and compliance with the Pennsylvania Code of Judicial Conduct pertaining to Special Masters.
• Ability to use Lexis/Nexis, Westlaw, and other legal and nonlegal research tools.
• Ability to use tact, discretion, and obtain the cooperation of others.
• Ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing.
• Ability to gather and analyze facts, draw conclusions, and devise practical solutions to problems.
• Ability to exercise originality and ingenuity in devising solutions to problems.
• Ability to work calmly and effectively in sensitive, stress-producing situations.
• Good communication skills.
• Prior experience in the mental health field.

Pay

Per diem compensation: $500 for one full day of hearings; $300 for one half day of hearings (Detention Center). New hires must start at step 1 of the pay grade.

Schedule

• Must be available all day (approximately 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM or later) to preside over morning and afternoon hearing lists at different sites as assigned.
• Monthly hearing schedules are distributed by the Court; assigned officers must inform the Court at least 48 hours in advance of any schedule changes due to unanticipated emergencies.
• Must provide monthly availability to the Court for schedule preparation.

Environmental conditions

Standard courtroom and clerical office conditions. Direct contact with diverse court clientele.