Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist

Are you interested in doing meaningful work that will impact the lives of Pennsylvanians? The Department of Labor & Industry is seeking a highly motivated Business Services Specialist (Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist). The Business Services Specialist leads strategic employer engagement and statewide workforce system coordination by developing and sustaining high-impact partnerships and guiding the effective implementation of business services policies to expand competitive integrated employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. If you are a professional looking for a rewarding career, this is the opportunity for you!

The Business Services Specialist builds and sustains strategic employer relationships by actively engaging businesses, identifying workforce needs, and collaboratively developing structured workforce solutions that create sustainable talent pipelines and repeat hiring of individuals with disabilities. You can expect to develop and coordinate integrated service strategies that align employer operational needs with OVR's full continuum of services ensuring cohesive implementation across stakeholders.

This position researches workforce and employer engagement trends and develops strategic messaging and outreach approaches that effectively communicate OVR's value proposition to businesses, schools, providers, and workforce partners. Our team will rely on you to provide regional leadership and technical assistance to district offices regarding implementation of the Referring Individuals Toward Successful Employment (RISE) Guidance, ensuring effective coordination of leadership-driven employer connections, timely referral of qualified candidates, and alignment with established procedures. You will have the opportunity to lead development, revision, and regional implementation of assigned statewide business services policies, special programs, and provider agreements in accordance with agency procedures.

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.
• Alternate Work Schedule available.
• 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 Harrisburg. The ability to telework is subject to change at any time. Additional details may be provided during the interview.
• Salary: Most candidates start at the beginning of the advertised salary. Selected candidates who are new to employment with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will begin employment at the starting annual salary of $67,736.00 (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:

• Three years of professional experience in rehabilitation work, vocational guidance, employment counseling or placement, psychology, or social work, two years of which must have been in the field of vocational rehabilitation; and a bachelor's degree; or
• Any equivalent combination of experience and training. Graduate study in the behavioral sciences may be substituted for the required general experience on a year-for-year basis up to a maximum of one year.

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.
• 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.

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.

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):

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.

• 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.