Early Reach Coordinator (Social Worker 2)

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; McCandless (Allegheny County); Hybrid; USD 54,000 - 67,000; Full time

Job summary

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s BVRS seeks a Social Worker 2 to guide students with disabilities from school to work in Allegheny County. You will coordinate with schools, families, and community partners to implement the Early Reach Initiative and support families, schools, and communities in building strong connections.

The role focuses on guidance, training, and coordinating Pre-ETS services, with duties including outreach, information sharing, and program oversight.

Qualifications

• Two years of experience as a Social Worker 1 or Forensic Social Worker 1.
• Bachelor’s degree in social work or social welfare required.
• Master’s degree in social work or social welfare qualifies.
• Applicants will be within 3 months of graduating with a qualifying degree.
• PA residency requirement applies.

Responsibilities

• Provide Pre-Employment Transition Services that help students explore career options and build essential skills
• Coordinate with schools, families, and organizations to strengthen partnerships that support student development
• Share guidance on policies, available services, and resources to assist in smooth transitions
• Maintain accurate student information, service details, and documentation in the Commonwealth Workforce Development System
• Promote program awareness at fairs, presentations, and community events
• Approve and coordinate Pre-ETS services, track expenditures, and ensure timely vendor payments

Skills

Student Support

Agency Coordination

Information Sharing

Record Management

Event Participation

Vendor Payments

Education

Master's degree in social work or social welfare

Bachelor's degree in social work or social welfare

Two years of professional experience providing direct social work services

Two years as Social Worker 1 / Forensic Social Worker 1

Job description

Join the Bureau of Vocational and Rehabilitation Services (BVRS) as a Social Worker 2 and help students build a path toward independence. This role allows you to guide young people with disabilities as they prepare for future careers. You will work in local education agencies and identified schools in Allegheny County to implement the Early Reach Initiative. Your work will support families, schools, and communities in creating strong connections. Be part of an agency that empowers students to take important steps toward success.

This position focuses on helping students with disabilities successfully move from school to employment and greater independence. The role involves guidance, training, and coordination with schools, families, and community partners. As a Social Worker 2, you will perform the following duties:

Duties

• Student Support: Provide Pre-Employment Transition Services that help students explore career options and build essential skills
• Agency Coordination: Work with schools, families, and organizations to strengthen partnerships that support student development
• Information Sharing: Offer guidance on policies, available services, and resources to assist in smooth transitions
• Record Management: Maintain accurate student information, service details, and documentation in the Commonwealth Workforce Development System
• Event Participation: Promote program awareness at fairs, presentations, and community events
• Service Oversight: Approve and coordinate Pre-ETS services, track expenditures, and ensure timely vendor payments

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

Work Schedule and Additional Information

• Full-time employment, 37.5 hours per week, Monday - Friday.
• Work hours are typically 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM with a 30-minute lunch. Work schedule may be negotiable within a 7.5 hour work day. The position is eligible for AWS (alternate work schedule).
• Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time upon successful completion of the training period. 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.
• Salary: Selected candidates who are new to employment with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will begin employment at the starting annual salary of $60,538.00 (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 title or equivalent Federal Government job title, 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 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.
• Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within 3 months of graduating with a qualifying degree.

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.

Veterans

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

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.

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