Social Worker 2

Do you want your advanced professional social work to support children, youth, and adults who are blind or visually impaired as they gain the skills necessary to live and work independently in Philadelphia's bustling, vibrant, and diverse communities? Apply for this Social Worker 2 position with the Department of Labor & Industry's Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR), Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services (BBVS), Philadelphia District Office. As part of our team, you will be responsible for providing a full range of rehabilitation services to people who are blind, visually impaired, and deaf-blind in an assigned geographic area, with an emphasis on early intervention. Join us and make a difference today!

In this role, you will work with children, youth, and adults in achieving safety and independence within their homes and community, as well as work with local education agencies and identified schools to implement the Early Reach Initiative. You will provide counseling, including vocational counseling, information, referral, and advocacy services to students with disabilities to enhance their successful transition from school to services provided by OVR and eventual employment. Services are designed to assist individuals in their homes, schools, and communities to work and maintain independent lives.

Work involves gathering customer information through comprehensive interviews, analyzing information to determine their eligibility for services, and collaborating with each customer to develop a mutually agreed upon service plan. This includes providing counseling and guidance, referrals to other agencies and services, and information on diagnostic and other services; arranging, approving, and preparing requests for expenditures; and liaising with external agency resources to help each customer identify and engage with resources and supports needed to achieve the goals identified in their plan. You will also evaluate and document customer progress, help modify service plans when needed, and advocate on behalf of each person, their success, and their wellbeing.

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

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

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.

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):

• 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.

• 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.