Employment Services Specialist Senior - #ARS00513

DHRM•Harrisonburg, VA

About The Position

The Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS), Field Rehabilitation Services Division, is seeking an Employment Services Specialist Senior to help individuals with disabilities achieve meaningful employment and greater independence through personalized support, advocacy, and partnership. The division works with individuals with disabilities, including students, to support informed employment choices through coordinated services and partnerships with local school divisions and the Workforce Network. The position works closely with counselors and/or evaluators and partners with people with physical, mental, or emotional disabilities. It provides case management assistance with comprehensive vocational rehabilitation services intended to support employment and enhanced independent living. The role requires access to personally identifiable and confidential information about agency consumers and/or staff. The specialist has daily contact with customers, employers, the public, Employment Service Organizations, and educational organizations. Employer services include information about rehabilitation technology and job accommodations, consultation, and referrals of qualified applicants for open positions. The position also supports public education and awareness, agency service marketing, referrals, and coordination of services. Other duties and projects may be assigned by or completed as directed by the supervisor.

Requirements

Experience in human service delivery methods.
Considerable working knowledge of social, economic, medical, and psychological factors that affect individuals with disabilities.
Considerable working knowledge of interviewing, evaluation, and counseling techniques, and methods and tools used for career counseling and exploration.
Working knowledge of ADA compliance requirements.
Working knowledge of Windows-based computer software or comparable word-processing programs.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with individuals from varied social and economic environments.
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
Ability to interpret and apply established policies and procedures in providing services.
Ability to monitor employment opportunities through contacts with businesses and other organizations in the community.
Ability to organize and manage multiple, sometimes unrelated responsibilities in a timely manner; prioritize duties; and exercise good judgment while following established policies and procedures.
Knowledge of interviewing and data-collection techniques.
Ability to facilitate group activities related to employment preparation and career readiness.
A fingerprint-based criminal history check is required of the finalist because the position is designated sensitive under Virginia Code § 2.2-1201.1.

Responsibilities

Manage caseloads and support employment services.
Document service provision concisely and appropriately, reflecting maximum customer input into the decision-making process.
Provide assistance to customers with vocational rehabilitation services.
Interact with employers to provide information about rehabilitation technology and job accommodations, offer consultation, and refer qualified applicants for open positions.
Educate and inform the public about the agency, market agency services, and handle referrals.
Coordinate services and consult about customers with Employment Service Organizations and educational organizations.
Complete other duties and special projects as needed or directed by the supervisor.