Social Worker 2 (Early Reach Coordinator)

About the role

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.

Responsibilities

• 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

Requirements

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 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.

Qualifications

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.

Skills

N/A

Benefits

N/A

Pay

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).

Schedule

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 Information

The headquarters office location may be flexible depending on the selected candidate.

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.