Employment Specialist Jobs in Pennsylvania
Employment Specialist jobs in Pennsylvania are consistently active, with strong demand concentrated in workforce development agencies, county human services departments, and vocational rehabilitation programs. Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Harrisburg anchor most of the hiring, with well-established employers such as the Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, Goodwill Keystone Area, and JEVS Human Services maintaining ongoing employment specialist openings. The most sought-after specializations in Pennsylvania are vocational rehabilitation counseling, job coaching for individuals with disabilities, and workforce reentry services. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
Find Employment Specialist JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 45+ Employment Specialist jobs
UPMC Western Behavioral Health at Safe Harbor is excited to welcome a passionate and driven Supported Employment Specialist to our Early Onset Recovery team!
The Early Onset Recovery Program serves individuals ages 15 to 35 and is uniquely designed to provide comprehensive support through therapy, medication management, education, and employment services. This innovative program has demonstrated outstanding outcomes and plays a vital role in helping participants build successful futures.
In this role, you will provide supported employment and education services, helping individuals obtain and maintain competitive employment and pursue educational goals that align with their interests, strengths, and recovery objectives. Working as part of a multidisciplinary treatment team, you will collaborate closely with therapists and medical providers to support each participant's progress and overall well-being.
Key responsibilities include assisting clients with job searches, career exploration, educational planning, workplace success strategies, and ongoing employment support. You will advocate for participants, build relationships with community employers and educational institutions, and empower individuals to develop the skills and confidence needed to achieve greater independence and long-term recovery.
Responsibilities:
- Partner with individuals to explore career goals, develop job opportunities, and secure competitive employment aligned with their strengths and interests.
- Provide hands-on support in the community, including job coaching, interview preparation, employer outreach and workplace accommodation assistance.
- Collaborate with treatment teams, families, employers, and community partners to integrate vocational services into each individual recovery journey.
- Deliver ongoing employment support and follow-along services to help individuals maintain long-term job success and independance3.
Maintain program documentation, individualized employment plans, and compliance with state, federal, and payer requirements.
- Bachelors Degree from an accredited college or university, preferably in Counseling, Psychology, Vocational Rehabilitation, or other human service field, including at least 12 credit hours in human services related education.
- 1 year of related experience working with individuals with disabilities or mental health related experience.
Experience with people with severe mental illness, experience with vocational services, and knowledge of the work world are preferred.
ATTENTION: BACHELOR LEVEL TRANSCRIPTS MUST BE ATTACHED WIHT APPLICATION FOR CONSIDERATION.
Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances:
- Basic Life Support (BLS) OR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
- Comprehensive Crisis Management (CCMC)
- Driver's License
- Act 31 Child Abuse Reporting with renewal
- Act 33 with renewal
- Act 34 with renewal
- Act 73 FBI Clearance with renewal
UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran
UPMC Western Behavioral Health at Safe Harbor is excited to welcome a passionate and driven Supported Employment Specialist to our Early Onset Recovery team!
The Early Onset Recovery Program serves individuals ages 15 to 35 and is uniquely designed to provide comprehensive support through therapy, medication management, education, and employment services. This innovative program has demonstrated outstanding outcomes and plays a vital role in helping participants build successful futures.
In this role, you will provide supported employment and education services, helping individuals obtain and maintain competitive employment and pursue educational goals that align with their interests, strengths, and recovery objectives. Working as part of a multidisciplinary treatment team, you will collaborate closely with therapists and medical providers to support each participant's progress and overall well-being.
Key responsibilities include assisting clients with job searches, career exploration, educational planning, workplace success strategies, and ongoing employment support. You will advocate for participants, build relationships with community employers and educational institutions, and empower individuals to develop the skills and confidence needed to achieve greater independence and long-term recovery.
Responsibilities:
- Partner with individuals to explore career goals, develop job opportunities, and secure competitive employment aligned with their strengths and interests.
- Provide hands-on support in the community, including job coaching, interview preparation, employer outreach and workplace accommodation assistance.
- Collaborate with treatment teams, families, employers, and community partners to integrate vocational services into each individual recovery journey.
- Deliver ongoing employment support and follow-along services to help individuals maintain long-term job success and independance3.
Maintain program documentation, individualized employment plans, and compliance with state, federal, and payer requirements.
- Bachelors Degree from an accredited college or university, preferably in Counseling, Psychology, Vocational Rehabilitation, or other human service field, including at least 12 credit hours in human services related education.
- 1 year of related experience working with individuals with disabilities or mental health related experience.
Experience with people with severe mental illness, experience with vocational services, and knowledge of the work world are preferred.
ATTENTION: BACHELOR LEVEL TRANSCRIPTS MUST BE ATTACHED WIHT APPLICATION FOR CONSIDERATION.
Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances:
- Basic Life Support (BLS) OR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
- Comprehensive Crisis Management (CCMC)
- Driver's License
- Act 31 Child Abuse Reporting with renewal
- Act 33 with renewal
- Act 34 with renewal
- Act 73 FBI Clearance with renewal
UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran
See All 45 Employment Specialist Jobs in Pennsylvania
Find roles in Pennsylvania that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Employment Specialist JobsEmployment Specialist Jobs by City in Pennsylvania
Where Pennsylvania roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Employment Specialist Job Market in Pennsylvania
A snapshot from current Pennsylvania openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What Pennsylvania Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in employment specialist jobs across Pennsylvania.
- Active Pennsylvania certification or registration through a recognized vocational rehabilitation or workforce credentialing body
- Bachelor's degree in rehabilitation counseling, social work, psychology, or a closely related human services field
- Experience conducting job development, job coaching, or career counseling with diverse client populations
- Knowledge of Pennsylvania's workforce development system including PA CareerLink and county human services programs
- Proficiency with case management software and documentation of client progress toward employment goals
- Strong communication skills for coordinating with employers, clients, and community partner organizations
Employment Specialist Jobs in Pennsylvania: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a employment specialist in Pennsylvania?
Most employment specialist positions in Pennsylvania require at minimum a bachelor's degree in rehabilitation counseling, social work, human services, or psychology. Roles within the Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation or county-funded programs often favor candidates who have completed coursework aligned with vocational rehabilitation standards. While Pennsylvania does not issue a single mandatory state license for the title, many employers prefer or require the Certified Employment Support Professional credential or a comparable certification recognized by the Association of People Supporting Employment First.
Which companies hire employment specialists in Pennsylvania?
Companies currently hiring employment specialists in Pennsylvania include Community Options, Merakey, and ACHIEVING TRUE SELF, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Pennsylvania's dense network of county human services boards, nonprofit disability service providers, and state-contracted workforce agencies means hiring is spread across both major metros and mid-sized communities throughout the commonwealth.
Which Pennsylvania cities have the most employment specialist jobs?
The Pennsylvania cities with the most employment specialist openings are Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and Bethlehem. Philadelphia drives the largest share through its concentration of nonprofit human services organizations, county assistance offices, and vocational rehabilitation centers, while Pittsburgh's community health systems and Allegheny County human services agencies sustain strong ongoing demand, and Harrisburg reflects hiring tied directly to state government workforce programs.
Are there remote employment specialist jobs in Pennsylvania?
Yes, but they're limited. Employment specialist work is inherently relationship-driven and often requires in-person job site visits, client meetings, and employer outreach, which keeps most roles on-site or hybrid. About 33% of employment specialist openings tied to Pennsylvania are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, with remote options most common for intake coordination, case documentation, and virtual job coaching roles that do not require direct field support.
How can I get hired as a employment specialist in Pennsylvania with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying for job coach or employment support technician roles at Pennsylvania disability service providers or county human services agencies, which routinely hire candidates without prior specialist experience and provide on-the-job training. Organizations like Goodwill Keystone Area, NHS Human Services, and Community Integrated Services in southeastern Pennsylvania regularly post entry-level openings. Lateral moves from case manager assistant, benefits counselor, or workforce development aide positions are common stepping stones, and pursuing the Certified Employment Support Professional credential while working in an entry role strengthens your candidacy considerably.
Where can I find and apply to employment specialist jobs in Pennsylvania?
You can find and apply to employment specialist jobs in Pennsylvania on Migrate Mate, which lists current Pennsylvania openings across the state. Search the listings for roles that match your experience and location, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 45 Employment Specialist Jobs in Pennsylvania
Find roles in Pennsylvania that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Employment Specialist Jobs