Blind Services Associate Counselor

State of Vermont•Burlington, VT

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Vermont Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired (DBVI) is looking for a Blind Services Associate Counselor to provide counseling and casework duties at an entry level. These duties include consumer interviews, consultation on case plans, Independent Living, and employment assistance. This is a great opportunity to join the DBVI Burlington team. Experience gained in this position can lead to many different career paths in the human services field. It is an opportunity to assist individuals who are blind or visually impaired to meet their employment and independent living goals. The Blind Services Associate Counselor receives information from Counselors or outside agencies, and conducts interviews with consumers to gain information required for determination of eligibility. When needed, you’ll request medical documentation of disabilities. The position assists, advises and guides consumers in development of Individual Plan for Employment (IPE) and Independent Living Plans (ILP) for customers. You will also prepare eligibility and IPE documents for supervisory review and signature. Through regular reviews, you will monitor customer progress toward completion of training or employment and Independent Living goals. You will also authorize normal expenditures for training, equipment, or other consumer needs, provide training and assistance to consumers in developing resumes, help complete employment applications, assist with conducting job searches, assist with job interviews, maintain detailed case notes on assigned caseload, process required paperwork to document case openings and closings, refer consumers to other organizations for needed services, and assist the regional office with administrative duties including a significant amount of bill paying and office organization. A person in this position cares about helping people meet their goals and has great communication and interpersonal skills. Proficiency with productivity software and software for case management are essential. Experience working with people who are blind or visually impaired is preferred.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree or higher AND two (2) years or more experience at or above a paraprofessional or technical level in a human services program, involving direct client contact.
Proficiency with productivity software.
Proficiency with software for case management.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with people who are blind or visually impaired.
Bachelor's degree or higher in a human services field.
Successful applicants will be required to make a written commitment to secure a Master's degree in a field approved by the Department within five years of hire.

Responsibilities

Conduct consumer interviews to gain information required for determination of eligibility.
Request medical documentation of disabilities when needed.
Assist, advise, and guide consumers in the development of Individual Plan for Employment (IPE) and Independent Living Plans (ILP).
Prepare eligibility and IPE documents for supervisory review and signature.
Monitor customer progress toward completion of training or employment and Independent Living goals through regular reviews.
Authorize normal expenditures for training, equipment, or other consumer needs.
Provide training and assistance to consumers in developing resumes.
Help complete employment applications.
Assist with conducting job searches.
Assist with job interviews.
Maintain detailed case notes on assigned caseload.
Process required paperwork to document case openings and closings.
Refer consumers to other organizations for needed services.
Assist the regional office with administrative duties including bill paying and office organization.