Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR JOB POSTING

Position Number:  00262700

Description Activated On:  3/5/2026 8:16:20 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. 

 Under the direct supervision of the Social Security, Supported Employment, and Collaboration Section Administrator, the Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist is responsible for creation/revision of statewide policy, programs, procedures, case management system requirements, and training related to the provision of OVR’s state supported employment program and other key Section related program areas. Specifically, this position will maintain leadership over the specific statewide policies and programs noted below along with providing statewide guidance, direction, technical assistance, training, outreach, and direct support to OVR staff, community rehabilitation providers (CRPs) and other stakeholders (ex. DHS, RCPA, PAR, etc.).

This specialist will work with the other specialists as needed. This position will maintain leadership over the creation, revision, and oversight of the following statewide policies, initiatives, and programs:
1. State Supported Employment Policy and Provider Agreement
2. OVR/ODP Joint Bulletin and Standard Operating Procedures
3. Ticket to Work Policy and Benefits Planning Provider Agreement
4. Partnership Plus Agreement
5. Implementation of Individual Placement and Support (IPS)

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.

This position is responsible for the leadership and support of the creation, revision, and oversight of the statewide policies, initiatives, and programs identified in the position purpose above. This position is also responsible for providing statewide guidance, direction, technical assistance, training, outreach, and direct support to OVR staff, community rehabilitation providers (CRPs) and other stakeholders (ex. DHS, RCPA, PAR, etc.). Responsibilities and duties include the following:
1. Writes and develops policies in accordance with agency procedure and with approval from the Section Administrator, OVR Executive Leadership, and the State Board of VR.
2. Writes and develops guidance and standard operating procedures as assigned by the Section Administrator.
3. Works directly with the Federal Rehabilitation Services Administration and VR Technical Assistance Center partners to inform policy and program development, state plan development, and other initiatives as assigned by the Section Administrator.
4. Creates and facilitates statewide labor-management workgroups necessary for the creation of policy and programming. This position is responsible for the program related Labor Management Workgroups.
5. Writes statements of work, provider agreements, Inter-Governmental Agency agreements (IGAs), draft memos for executive leadership, joint agency bulletins, and others as assigned.
6. Develops provider agreements in accordance with agency procedure and with approval from
the Section Administrator and OVR Executive Leadership
7. 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.
8. Contributes to the creation, maintenance, and updating of section publications and resources as assigned by the Section Administrator.
9. Works with Systems & Evaluation Division staff and OIT partners to develop requirements for, and test CWDS-related functions to support program improvement and new functionality for policy revisions.
10.Provides oversight and guidance to the temporary clerical assigned to Section to assist the Bureau Manager and Section Administrator.
11.Evaluates OVR's Section policies and related initiatives in order to develop and improve effective service delivery. This includes conducting research on effective and best practices in other VR agencies and within the rehabilitation literature.
12.Contributes to the WIOA state plan and state plan modifications in the areas related to Supported Employment and as assigned.
13.Gathers and contributes information for statewide reporting as assigned by the Section Administrator.
14.Plans and implements statewide trainings and technical assistance calls for CRPs and OVR staff.
15.Creates program-specific materials including but not limited to forms, flyers, provider agreements, report templates, scripts, standard operating procedures, and training presentations.
16.Outreaches to and onboards SE providers throughout the Commonwealth
17.Serves as the statewide lead for supported employment programming as defined in the position purpose above. In this capacity, duties include:
a. Coordination of SE coordinator meetings.
b. Develops coordinates, and implements in-service trainings locally, regionally, and statewide.
c. Provides guidance and direction to OVR District Office managers and field staff on the proper implementation of assigned policies and programs.
d. Develops draft memos for the OVR Executive Director and Section Administrator.
e. Maintains communication with the SE LISTSERV containing over 500 provider contacts.
18. Serves as the Statewide lead for Ticket to Work Policy, Benefits Planning Provider Agreement, and Partnership Plus Agreement
a. Function as Statewide lead and Benefits Coordinator for OVR; Certified Work Incentives Practitioner
b. Organize and facilitate Statewide Monthly SSA-Coordinator Meeting that initiated the inclusion of SSA Partner Topic presented by SSA at each meeting; Quarterly meeting with Partner Employment Networks
c. Facilitate Partnership Plus Program on behalf of OVR in collaboration with Local District Offices, SSA and Ticket Program Manager
d. Liaison to the SSA and its contractors for Work Incentive Planning Assistance Programs to assist Ticket to Work beneficiaries, as well as, SSA Public Affairs Specialist and Statewide AWICs
e. Liaison with OVR District Offices SSA-Coordinators on all issues pertaining to Benefits program areas
f. Provide technical assistance, guidance and direction to OVR Local District Offices and field staff on the proper implementation of policies and procedures
g. Liaison for Benefits Planning Providers including outreach and training, as needed
h. Develop and provide presentations and trainings at Statewide, Committee, and Local District Office level, as well as, OLTL, PARC, RCPA, and specific youth SSA presentations
i. Collaborate with Cost Reimbursement VR Specialist, Systems & Evaluation, Office of Administration (OA) and Deloitte to assist with Fiscal 2.0 Migration as it relates to CWDS
j. Direct the work of the Administrative Officer 2, along with Cost Reimbursement Specialist
19. Performs all other duties as assigned by the Section Administrator, BCO 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 laws, regulations, policies, literature, national practices, etc. in order to determine the content and language for draft policies, procedures, statements of work, IGAs, provider agreements, joint bulletins, MOUs, etc. for Section Administrator and OVR Executive Leadership review.
2. Determines standard operating process and procedure for assigned projects, programs, and policies.
3. Directs OVR District Office managers and field staff on the proper implementation of assigned policies and programs.
4. Independently schedules meetings with statewide employers, providers, stakeholders, and other Commonwealth agency personnel.
5. Independently develops regional and statewide technical assistance trainings. This is done through effective analysis of needs/issues, and appropriate decision making for solutions.
6. Establishes timeframes and schedules for statewide workgroup meetings related to assigned policies.
7. Independently schedules and plans in-person and virtual events based on the assessed needs of the assigned region and/or state.
8. Seeks input and approval from the Section Administrator and/or OVR Executive Leadership when needed. This position will assess and determine when that level of input is required and act accordingly.
9. Analyzes complex problems and provides uniform guidance and direction to OVR staff and providers.

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. Experience in Vocational Rehabilitation is required.

Licenses, registrations, or certifications:

1.   N/A
 
2.   N/A
 
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. Writes and develops statewide policy, procedures, programs, and performance standards.
 2. Facilitates committees and statewide labor-management workgroups.
 3. Creates statewide and regional programming.
 4. Writes and develops statements of work, provider agreements, and MOUs.
 5. Interprets and applies state and federal laws and policies.
 6. Travels to events, employers, providers, and district offices.
 7. Develops and presents statewide and regional trainings and conferences.
 8. Develops and maintains partnerships with employers, providers, OVR staff, etc.
 9. Investigates or responds to inquiries.
 10. Uses computer software to track data, write documents, and present on information.