Position Description

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR JOB POSTING
Position Number: 00100022	Description Activated On: 3/17/2026 8:53:12 AM

Position Purpose: Describe the primary purpose of this position and how it contributes to the organization’s objectives. Example: Provides clerical and office support within the Division to ensure its operations are conducted efficiently and effectively.

WIOA sec. 116(b)(2)(A)(i)(VI) requires state VR agencies to measure effectiveness in serving employers. Under the direct supervision of the Business Services Section Administrator, 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. Serves as the regional business services point of contact for specific district offices and territories assigned by the business services sectional administrator.

Description of Duties: Describe in detail the duties and responsibilities assigned to this position. Descriptions should include the major end result of the task. Example: Types correspondence, reports, and other various documents from handwritten drafts for review and signature of the supervisor.

1. 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.
2. Develops and coordinates integrated service strategies that align employer operational needs with OVR’s full continuum of services, including student work-based learning, adult placement services, provider engagement, and school partnerships, ensuring cohesive implementation across stakeholders.
3. 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.
4. Provides 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.
5. Leads development, revision, and regional implementation of assigned statewide business services policies, special programs, and provider agreements in accordance with agency procedures, which may include but are not limited to:
• On-the-Job Training (OJT) Policy
• Work Experience for Adults (WEXA) Program and Provider Agreement
• Small Business Policy
• Business Accessibility and ADA Review Policy
• Disability Awareness Training initiatives
• Justifacts
• PWDA
• Standardized Operations for Internal Commonwealth Employment OJTs
• Single point of contact for Bureau of Workforce Partnership & Operations (BWPO)
6. Writes and develops policies in accordance with agency procedure and with approval from the Business Services and Outreach Section Administrator, OVR executive leadership, and the Statewide Board of Vocational Rehabilitation.
7. Writes and develops guidance and standard operating procedures related to business services as assigned by the Business Services and Outreach Section Administrator.
Writes statements of work, provider agreements, Inter-Governmental Agency agreements (IGAs), draft memos for executive leadership, joint agency bulletins, and others as assigned.
8. Develops and delivers presentations on statewide policy, programming, guidance, etc. for OVR executive leadership, the Statewide Board of Vocational Rehabilitation, the PA Rehabilitation Council, other commonwealth agency leaders, employer coalitions, and others as assigned.
9. Works with Systems & Evaluation Division staff and OIT partners to develop requirements for, and test CWDS-related functions to support business services improvement.
10. Provides training and technical assistance to district offices regarding interpretation and implementation of assigned initiatives.
11. Uses CWDS and other tracking software to track and report on OVR services to employers on a statewide and regional level.
12. Analyzes regional labor market information to inform employer engagement strategy and sector alignment.
13. Serves as the point of contact for the assigned region of district offices and territories. In this capacity, duties include:
a) Coordinates employer outreach activities with district offices and facilitates business connections aligned with high-demand industry sectors and regional labor market priorities.
b) Assesses regional employer workforce needs and develops sector-based employer engagement strategies that support sustainable talent pipeline development and repeat hiring.
c) Maintains active partnership with Local Workforce Development Areas to ensure alignment with the Combined WIOA State Plan and sector-driven workforce initiatives.
d) Provides guidance to district office managers and field staff regarding implementation of assigned business services policies and regional employer engagement strategies.
e) Represents OVR in regional meetings, employer forums, industry associations, and workforce partner events.
f) Provides training and technical assistance to district offices to strengthen sector-aligned employer engagement and talent referral efforts.
g) Conducts ADA and accessibility consultations and facilitates disability awareness activities as appropriate.
h) Shares employment and workforce development resources and opportunities regionally and statewide.
14. Travels throughout the assigned geographical region and statewide as necessary, including overnight travel, which may comprise up to 50% of work time.
15. Performs all other duties as assigned by the Business Services and Outreach Section Administrator, Bureau of Central Operations Manager, and/or OVR Executive Director.

Decision Making: Describe the types of decisions made by the incumbent of this position and the types of decisions referred to others. Identify the problems or issues that can be resolved at the level of this position, versus those that must be referred to the supervisor. Example: In response to a customer inquiry, this work involves researching the status of an activity and preparing a formal response for the supervisor’s signature.

1. Researches and interprets federal and state laws, regulations, policies, and national best practices to develop draft business services procedures, provider agreements, and related documents for review by the Business Services and Outreach Section Administrator and OVR Executive Leadership.
2. Independently determines appropriate employer engagement strategies, partnership approaches, and sector-based initiatives based on analysis of workforce needs, labor market information, and employer priorities.
3. Manages complex, multi-stakeholder employer initiatives involving schools, providers, district offices, and workforce partners, balancing competing priorities and resolving conflicts to ensure successful implementation of coordinated service strategies.
4. Independently determines appropriate employer engagement strategies, partnership approaches, and sector-based initiatives based on analysis of workforce needs, labor market information, and employer priorities.
5. Exercises discretion in representing OVR with stakeholders to determine when issues can be resolved at the regional level and when consultation with the Business Services and Outreach Section Administrator or Executive Leadership is required.
6. Determines standard operating procedures and implementation strategies for assigned programs and initiatives and provides guidance to district office managers and field staff regarding proper application of policies.
7. Establishes timelines and priorities for assigned projects, workgroups, and regional initiatives, independently scheduling meetings and coordinating activities as necessary.
8. Seeks input and approval from the Business Services and Outreach Section Administrator and/or OVR Executive Leadership when decisions involve significant policy changes, fiscal implications, high-profile stakeholder concerns, or matters with potential statewide impact.

Requirements Profile: Identify any specific experience or requirements, such as a licensure, registration, or certification, which may be necessary to perform the functions of the position. Position-specific requirements should be consistent with a Special Requirement or other criteria identified in the classification specification covering this position. Example: Experience using Java; Professional Engineer License

Experience:

This position shall meet the required experience as agreed by OVR and determined/posted by HR.

Licenses, registrations, or certifications:

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3.   N/A

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Essential Functions: Provide a list of essential functions for this position. Example: Transports boxes weighing up to 60 pounds.

1.	Builds and sustains strategic employer partnerships that support sector-based talent pipelines and repeat hiring.
2.	Coordinates multi-stakeholder workforce initiatives requiring strategic planning, conflict resolution, and cross-system communication.
3.	Writes and develops policies, provider agreements, and related business services documentation and initiatives.
4.	Implements assigned statewide business services policies and initiatives.
5.	Provides technical assistance and functional guidance to district offices on program implementation.
6.	Represents OVR in meetings with executive stakeholders, workforce partners, and employer groups.
7.	Analyzes labor market information to inform employer engagement and sector alignment strategies.
8.	Facilitates workgroups, trainings, and regional initiatives to strengthen employer engagement efforts.
9.	Travels throughout Central region and statewide, including overnight travel as required.
10.	Uses computer software to track employer engagement activities and develop reports and presentations.