Methods and apparatus for processing a substrate are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus for processing a substrate includes: a substrate support having a substrate supporting surface including an electrically insulating coating; a substrate lift mechanism including a plurality of lift pins configured to move between a first position disposed beneath the substrate supporting surface and a second position disposed above the substrate supporting surface; and a connector configured to selectively provide an electrical connection between the substrate support and the substrate lift mechanism before the plurality of lift pins reach a plane of the substrate supporting surface.