Social Worker ; Early Reach Coordinator

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.

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: Selected candidates who are new to employment with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will begin employment at the starting annual salary of $60,538 (before taxes).
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

Qualifications

Minimum Experience and Training 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…