Early Reach Coordinator (Social Worker 2)

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); Hybrid; USD 61,000 - 92,000; Full time

Job summary

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Bureau of Vocational and Rehabilitation Services (BVRS) in Pittsburgh, is hiring a Social Worker 2 to guide students with disabilities toward independence. You will partner with local schools and families to implement the Early Reach Initiative, supporting transitions from school to employment and community integration.

The role focuses on client guidance, training, and coordination with schools, families, and community partners.

Qualifications

• Two years of experience as a Social Worker 1 or a Forensic Social Worker 1 (Commonwealth job title or equivalent) with continuous Commonwealth employment.
• 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.
• Two years of professional experience providing direct public or private social work services and a bachelor's degree in social work or social welfare.
• A master's degree in social work or social welfare.

Responsibilities

• Provide Pre-Employment Transition Services that help students explore career options and build essential skills.
• Work with schools, families, and organizations to strengthen partnerships that support student development.
• Offer 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.

Education

Bachelor's degree in social work or social welfare

Master's degree in social work or social welfare

Job description

Salary

$60,538.00 - $92,010.00 Annually

Location

Allegheny County, PA

Job Type

Civil Service Permanent Full-Time

Job Number

CS-2026-61387-40070

Department

Department of Labor & Industry

Division

LI BVRS Pittsburgh Dstr Off

Opening Date

10/27/2026

Closing Date

11/9/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Job Code

40070

Position Number

00073150

Union

SEIU Local 668

Bargaining Unit

F4

Pay Group

ST07

Bureau / Division Code

00126270

Bureau / Division

Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation Services - Pittsburgh District Office

Worksite Address

531 Penn Avenue

City

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Zip Code

15222

Contact Name

Kaleya Rivera Pena

Contact Email

[e-mail]

THE POSITION

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.

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

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:

• 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.

EXAMINATION INFORMATION

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
• You must provide complete and accurate information or:
  • your score may be lower than deserved.
  • you may be disqualified.
• You may only apply/test once for this posting.
• Your results will be provided via email.