Social Worker 2 (Early Reach Coordinator)
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Apply to Social Worker 2 (Early Reach Coordinator) at Commonwealth of PennsylvaniaJob details
- Location
- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Work type
- Hybrid
- Compensation
- $60,538 - $92,010/yr
- Posted
- 1 week ago
- Apply on
- governmentjobs.com
About this role
THE POSITION
Do you prioritize being proactive and enjoy work that helps students with disabilities transition from school to employment? Apply for this Social Worker 2 position and serve as an Early Reach Coordinator for the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR), Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (BVRS), Pittsburgh District Office. This position supports Early Reach activities in Allegheny County by collaborating with local schools and education agencies to identify eligible students, begin services, and build connections that will lead to successful outcomes. You will also have the chance to promote public awareness of OVR services as well as work closely with families and schools. Apply now and start a role that helps students take important steps toward employment and independence.
DESCRIPTION OF WORK
This position creates key connections between students with disabilities, their families, schools, the community, and OVR resources to support students as they move from school to services and future employment. Your efforts will link students with resources, encourage positive attitudes toward work, and strengthen relationships with families and agencies. As a Social Worker 2, you will perform the following duties:
- Liaise with Schools: Connect with the staff of local public and private schools and education agencies to answer their 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 as well as 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, 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 keep 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
Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.
Work Schedule and Additional Information:
- 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. 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.
- Note: The headquarters office location may be flexible depending on the selected candidate.
- Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
- You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.
REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY
QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:
- Two years of experience as a Social Worker 1 or Forensic Social Worker 1 (commonwealth titles) (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 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.
Special Requirements:
- 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.
Other Requirements:
- You must meet the PA residency requirement. For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency Guidelines.
- You must be able to perform essential job functions.
Legal Requirements:
- This position falls under the provisions of the Child Protective Services Law.
- Under the Law, a 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.
This position is subject to the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement or memorandum of understanding.
You must be eligible for selection in accordance with merit system employment regulations.
Recruitment Methods:
- Applicants must meet one of the following methods to be considered for this vacancy:
- Promotion Without Exam
- Reassignment (Only current civil service employees in the same agency who hold the same or similar job title, with the same maximum salary, within the same occupational group or where there is a logical career movement, will qualify for reassignment.)
- Transfer (Only current civil service employees who hold the same job title will qualify for transfer to another agency.)
- Voluntary Demotion
- Reinstatement (Former civil service employees may only be reinstated to the job title from which they resigned. Current civil service employees are not eligible through reinstatement.)
Promotion Without Examination (PWOE):
- Class Restrictions for Promotion Without Examination Only - You must have or have held regular civil service status in one of the following classifications:
- Social Worker 1
- Forensic Social Worker 1
- We will also consider applications from current Commonwealth employees in pay scale group ST06 for which there is a logical occupational, functional, or career developmental relationship to this position. All applicants must meet the minimum experience and training requirements.
- Employees who previously held regular civil service status in the job title of the position being filled are also eligible for promotion without examination.
- The promotion without examination requirements are issued in accordance with merit system employment regulations.
- Meritorious service is defined as (a) the absence of any discipline above the level of written reprimand during the 12 months preceding the closing date of the posting, and (b) the last regular or probationary performance evaluation showing an overall rating of satisfactory or higher.
- Applicants must have a minimum of one year in the next lower classes by the posting closing date with no break in service.
How to Apply:
- Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
- If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
- Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
- Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.
- All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant’s own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.
Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):
- 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).
If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.
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. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.
Benefits
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See the total value of your benefits package by exploring our benefits calculator.
Health & Wellness
We offer multiple health plans so our employees can choose what works best for themselves and their families. Our comprehensive benefits package includes health coverage, vision, dental, and wellness programs.*
Compensation & Financial Planning
We invest in our employees by providing competitive wages and encouraging financial wellness by offering multiple ways to save money and ensure peace of mind including multiple retirement and investment plan options.
Work/Life Balance
We know there’s more to life than just work! Our generous paid leave benefits include paid vacation, paid sick leave, eight weeks of paid parental leave, military leave, and paid time off for most major U.S. holidays, as well as flexible work schedules and work-from-home opportunities.*
Values and Culture
We believe in the work we do and provide continual opportunities for our employees to grow and contribute to the greater good. As one of the largest employers in the state, we provide opportunities for internal mobility, professional development, and the opportunity to give back by participating in workplace charitable giving.
Employee Perks
Sometimes, it is the little “extras” that make a big difference. Our employees receive special employee-only discounts and rates on a variety of services and memberships.
For more information on all of these Total Rewards benefits, please visit www.employment.pa.gov and click on the benefits box.
*Eligibility rules apply.
Supplemental Questions
- Yes
- No
If you are claiming credits/degree, you must upload a copy of your college transcript(s) for this education to be considered in the eligibility decision. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. You must attach your transcript(s) prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add a transcript(s) to the application after it has been submitted.
If you answer "Yes" to this question based on education acquired outside of the United States, you must upload a copy of your foreign credential evaluation report. We can only accept foreign credential evaluations from organizations that are members of the National Association of Credential Services (NACES). A list of current NACES members can be found by visiting www.naces.org and clicking the Evaluation Services Link.
You must attach your documentation prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add a document to the application after it has been submitted.
- Yes
- No
If you are claiming credits/degree, you must upload a copy of your college transcript(s) for this education to be considered in the eligibility decision. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. You must attach your transcript(s) prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add a transcript(s) to the application after it has been submitted.
If you answer "Yes" to this question based on education acquired outside of the United States, you must upload a copy of your foreign credential evaluation report. We can only accept foreign credential evaluations from organizations that are members of the National Association of Credential Services (NACES). A list of current NACES members can be found by visiting www.naces.org and clicking the Evaluation Services Link.
You must attach your documentation prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add a document to the application after it has been submitted.
- Yes
- No
- Yes
- No
Required Question
Agency Information
EmployerCommonwealth of PennsylvaniaAddress 613 North StreetHarrisburg, Pennsylvania, 17120 Website http://www.employment.pa.gov