Transition Specialist (Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist)

Salary: $64,959.00 - $98,661.00 Annually
Location : Dauphin County, PA
Job Type: Civil Service Permanent Full-Time
Job Number: CS-2024-78826-44839
Department: Department of Labor & Industry
Division: LI OVR BCO Spc Prgm Div
Opening Date: 03/13/2024
Closing Date: 3/26/2024 11:59 PM Eastern
Job Code: 44839
Position Number: 00088609
Union: Non Union
Bargaining Unit: F3
Pay Group: ST08
Bureau / Division Code: 00126120
Bureau / Division: OVR - Bureau of Central Operations: Transition
Worksite Address: 651 Boas Street (7th Floor)
City: Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Zip Code: 17121
Contact Name: Bradley Powell
Contact Email: bradpowell@pa.gov
THE POSITION
Do you want a leadership role where you can be instrumental in ensuring that students with disabilities are offered an early start at career exploration and preparation for adult life? Join the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation's (OVR) Transition Division and get involved with policy development, interagency collaboration, and conducting trainings to make a meaningful difference through our collaborative and comprehensive approach to transition services.
DESCRIPTION OF WORK
This Transition Specialist position works under the general supervision of a specialist supervisor and is responsible for a variety of activities pertaining to Transition Programs and Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS). Work includes collaborating with OVR District offices to develop and implement services, providing technical support and training to Pre-ETS provider agencies, and developing program agreements for a variety of Vocational Rehabilitation services. You will also submit reports, make presentations, and have the opportunity to provide input and assistance in support of OVR strategic planning activities involving customer input and satisfaction. Have a positive impact on the employment prospects and futures of students with disabilities in our state by joining our team today!
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 30-minute lunch.
• Telework: You will have the opportunity to work from home (telework), part-time. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in Harrisburg.
• Salary: Most employees will start at the beginning level of the advertised salary.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY
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 . 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.

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.employment.pa.gov/Additional%20Info/Pages/default.aspx and click the Veterans' Preference tab or contact us at ra-cs-vetpreference@pa.gov.

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.

Learn more about our Total Rewards by watching this short !
Health & Wellness
We offer multiple health plans so our employees can choose what works best for themselves and their families. Our comprehensive benefits package includes health coverage, vision, dental, and wellness programs.*
Compensation & Financial Planning
We invest in our employees by providing competitive wages and encouraging financial wellness by offering multiple ways to save money and ensure peace of mind including multiple retirement and investment plan options.
Work/Life Balance
We know there's more to life than just work! Our generous paid leave benefits include paid vacation, paid sick leave, eight weeks of paid parental leave, military leave, and paid time off for most major U.S. holidays, as well as flexible work schedules and work-from-home opportunities.*
Values and Culture
We believe in the work we do and provide continual opportunities for our employees to grow and contribute to the greater good. As one of the largest employers in the state, we provide opportunities for internal mobility, professional development, and the opportunity to give back by participating in workplace charitable giving.
Employee Perks
Sometimes, it is the little "extras" that make a big difference. Our employees receive special employee-only discounts and rates on a variety of services and memberships.
For more information on all of these Total Rewards benefits, please visit and click on the benefits box.
*Eligibility rules apply.
01
Do you possess two or more years of full-time professional experience in rehabilitation work, vocational guidance, employment counseling or placement, psychology, or social work in the field of Vocational Rehabilitation?

• Yes
• No

02
If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N/A in the text box below.
03
How many years of full-time professional experience in rehabilitation work, vocational guidance, employment counseling or placement, psychology, or social work do you possess?

• 3 years or more
• 2 but less than 3 years
• 1 but less than 2 years
• Less than 1 year
• None

04
If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N/A in the text box below.
05
How much graduate coursework have you completed in the behavioral sciences?If you are claiming credits/degree, you must upload a copy of your college transcript(s) for this education to be considered in the eligibility decision. You must attach your transcript(s) prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add transcript(s) to the application after it has been submitted.If you answer this question based on education acquired outside of the United States, you must also upload a copy of your foreign credential evaluation. For more information on foreign education credentials, please visit and click on Other Information.

• 30 credits or more
• Less than 30 credits
• None

06
You must complete the supplemental questions below. These supplemental questions are the exam and will be scored. They are designed to give you the opportunity to relate your experience and training background to the major activities (Work Behaviors) performed in this position. Failure to provide complete and accurate information may delay the processing of your application or result in a lower-than-deserved score or disqualification. You must complete the application and answer the supplemental questions. Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position or to determine your score.
All information you provide on your application and supplemental questions is subject to verification. Any misrepresentation, falsification or omission of material facts is subject to penalty. If requested, you must provide documentation, including names, addresses, and telephone numbers of individuals who can verify the validity of the information you provide in the application and supplemental questions.
Read each question carefully. Determine and select which "Level of Performance" most closely represents your highest level of experience/training. List the employer(s)/training source(s) from your Work or Education sections of the application where you gained this experience/training. The "Level of Performance" you choose must be clearly supported within the description of the experience and training information entered in your application or your score may be lowered. In order to receive credit for experience, you must have worked in a job for at least six months in which the experience claimed was a major function.
If you have read and understand these instructions, please click on the "Yes" button and proceed to the exam questions.
If you have general questions regarding the application and hiring process, please refer to our

• Yes

07
WORK BEHAVIOR 1 - PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT
Develops and implements Vocational Rehabilitation programs. Promotes programs including services available to specialized disability groups, organizations, or facilities.
Levels of Performance
Select the Level of Performance that best describes your claim.

• A. I have experience developing AND implementing Vocational Rehabilitation programs.
• B. I have experience implementing Vocational Rehabilitation programs that someone else developed.
• C. I have successfully completed college-level coursework related to program development.
• D. I have NO experience or training related to this work behavior.

08
In the text box below, please describe your experience as it relates to the level of performance you claimed in this work behavior. Please be sure your response addresses the items listed below which relate to your claim. If you indicated you have no work experience related to this work behavior, type N/A in the box below.

1. The name(s) of the employer(s) where you gained this experience
2. The actual duties you performed related to program development
3. The type(s) of programs you...