Social Worker 2 (Early Reach Coordinator)

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania • Allegheny County, PA

9d • Hybrid

About The Position

This Social Worker 2 position serves as an Early Reach Coordinator for the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR), Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (BVRS), Pittsburgh District Office. The role supports Early Reach activities in Allegheny County by collaborating with local schools and education agencies to identify eligible students, initiate services, and establish connections for successful outcomes. The position also involves promoting public awareness of OVR services and working closely with families and schools to help students with disabilities transition from school to employment and independence.

Requirements

• Two years of experience as a Social Worker 1 or Forensic Social Worker 1 (Commonwealth job titles or equivalent Federal Government job titles, as determined by the Office of Administration) (must have been employed in a commonwealth social worker job title on September 8, 2008, with continuous commonwealth employment); or
• Two years of experience as a Social Worker 1 or a Forensic Social Worker 1 (Commonwealth job titles or equivalent Federal Government job titles, as determined by the Office of Administration) and a bachelor’s degree in social work or social welfare; or
• Two years of professional experience providing direct public or private social work services, and a bachelor’s degree in social work or social welfare; or
• A master's degree in social work or social welfare; or
• Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within three months of graduating with a qualifying degree.
• All employees in the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs require an active license as a Social Worker or Clinical Social Worker issued by the Pennsylvania State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors.
• All employees in the Department of Corrections must obtain Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) certification within two months of hire and maintain it for the duration of employment in the job.
• You must meet the PA residency requirement.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.
• Conditional offer of employment will require submission and approval of satisfactory criminal history reports including, but not limited to, PA State Police clearance, PA Child Abuse history clearance, and FBI Fingerprint clearance.

Nice To Haves

• Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in Pittsburgh. The ability to telework is subject to change at any time. Additional details may be provided during the interview.
• The headquarters office location may be flexible depending on the selected candidate.

Responsibilities

• Liaise with Schools: Connect with staff of local public and private schools and education agencies to answer questions, provide disability and vocational consultation and training, and collaboratively create service provision plans and strategies.
• Encourage Students: Help students with disabilities develop positive attitudes toward work by using interest inventories and other tools to identify their aptitudes and abilities and how they can use this information to make and achieve employment goals.
• Provide Advocacy: Locate available community and educational services and resources, inform students and families of their rights, and make initial and follow-up contacts as necessary to ensure appropriate services are provided.
• Promote Public Awareness: Provide trainings and presentations, attend conferences and meetings, and participate in other events to interact with and support students with disabilities and their families.
• Support Individualized Services: Gather and maintain confidentiality for key personal and medical details from students and their families to help determine eligibility and inform the creation of individualized educational and service plans.
• Prepare Documentation: Complete application packets, case notes, and reports to help VR Counselors take over and open cases in a timely manner and to ensure accountability and accuracy in all activities.

Benefits

• Full-time employment
• Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch. Work hours are negotiable - 7.5 hour workday and lunch period is 30 minutes (or 60 minutes depending on work hours).
• Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time.
• The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce.
• The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania.
• The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level