SENIOR VOCATIONAL REHAB COUNSELOR - 48004929

State of Florida • North Miami, FL

1d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is responsible for providing independent professional vocational rehabilitation counseling to identified individuals with disabilities, which may include those identified as potentially eligible Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) youth customers ages 14-21, to support the overall goal of employment. This includes providing and coordinating complex services and providing technical assistance on vocational rehabilitation internal and external stakeholders and requires accessing client information, maintaining case records, tracking open authorizations and other case-specific activities and reviewing caseload data regularly. Provides technical assistance to internal and external stakeholders. The employee must be productive under tight timeframes, balance multiple and competing priorities and maintain goal-directed behavior and performance sometimes under stressful conditions. The employee must provide quality customer service and exhibit the positive qualities of teamwork, responsive communication, initiative, flexibility, and adaptability. The employee’s performance and behavior must demonstrate consideration of the workload concerns of others and must not negatively affect productivity and morale of the unit. Attendance at work is an essential job function.

Requirements

• Attainment of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in a field of study reasonably related to vocational rehabilitation, to indicate a level of competency and skill demonstrating basic preparation in a field of study such as: vocational rehabilitation counseling, psychology, disability studies, business administration, human resources, special education, supported employment, customized employment, economics, another field that reasonably prepares individuals to work with consumers and employers
• Two (2) years of experience consisting of: Direct work with individuals with disabilities in a setting such as an independent living center, Direct service for advocacy activities that provide such individuals with experience working with individuals with disabilities, Direct experience as an employer, Direct experience as a small business owner or operator, Direct experience in self-employment, Experience in human resources, Experience in recruitment, Experience in supervising employees, Experience in training, Experience in other activities that provide experience in competitive integrated employment environments
• Must be productive under tight timeframes, balance multiple and competing priorities, and maintain goal-directed behavior and performance sometimes under stressful conditions.
• Must interact courteously with others.
• Performance and behavior must demonstrate consideration of the workload concerns of others and must not negatively affect productivity and morale of the unit.
• Attendance is an essential function.
• Must be registered with the Selective Service System (SSS) before their 26th birthday, or have a Letter of Registration Exemption from the SSS if male and born on or after October 1, 1962.

Nice To Haves

• Applicants who have both professional and educational experience.
• Applicants who have direct experience with case management and the ability to manage high-volume caseload efficiently.
• Applicants who complete application information and hire requirements listed in the advertisement to completion.
• Attainment of a Master’s or doctoral degree from an accredited college or university in field of study such as: Vocational rehabilitation counseling, Law, Psychology, Disability studies, Business administration, Human resources, Special education, Management, Public administration, Another field that reasonably provides confidence in: The employment sector, In a disability field, Or in both business-related and rehabilitation-related fields.

Responsibilities

• Maintains active and meaningful engagement throughout the life of the VR case.
• Meets with the individual to review referrals and complete the application and Initial Interview for VR services in compliance with federal regulations and/or documents a good faith effort to meet the requirements.
• Assesses medical, psychological, and vocational information to determine eligibility for services.
• Accurately determines and documents eligibility for VR Services, at the earliest point possible, in compliance with the federal regulations, unless an extension is completed per policy.
• Provides information to assist individuals with disabilities in making informed choices, consistent with federal requirements, regarding services, service providers and employment outcomes.
• Provides support and services to assist VR customers in obtaining successful and quality employment outcomes.
• Authorizes, coordinates and/or negotiates services leading to successful employment outcome.
• Actively collaborates with VR Customers regarding plan development.
• Engages customers timely in their planning process to identify an appropriate vocational goal and services to develop an IPE, in compliance with the federal regulations, unless an extension of time is completed per policy.
• Documents the comprehensive assessment in compliance with policy requirements.
• Provides reasonable and necessary planned services.
• Demonstrates quality standards in implementation of the customer’s Individualized Plan for Employment.
• Manages resources to ensure all activities, including programmatic counseling and financial, are tracked and occur according to state and federal regulations and policies.
• Devises job placement opportunities through job placement activities, including job analysis, job development, and labor market information to assist individuals with disabilities to obtain appropriate employment outcomes.
• Develops employer contacts and serves as liaison with employers.
• Utilizes the resources of community rehabilitation providers in securing appropriate job placement for eligible individuals with disabilities.
• Coordinates or collaborates with others in other placement activities.
• Provides support to guide customers appropriately to and through the credential attainment process to support quality employment outcomes.
• Provides timely follow up and monitoring in employment phase leading to successful outcomes.
• Documents and tracks post-employment support and services.
• Closes cases in alignment with policy.
• Manages VR Services and applies sound decision making and best value purchasing principles to customer purchases.
• Ensures that all purchases align with purchasing policies.
• Tracks and communicates regulations, laws, and rules specific to financial and payment timelines and requirements like period of performance, open authorizations, allowable expenditures, appropriate use of coding for authorizations, etc.
• Collaborates with community partners to assure appropriate use of available resources.
• Participates in training experiences designed to enhance professional competency in vocational rehabilitation.
• Travel may be required to perform assign duties.
• Performs other duties as required.

Benefits

• State Group Insurance coverage options+(health, life, dental, vision, and other supplemental option)
• Retirement plan options, including employer contributions
• Nine paid holidays and a Personal Holiday each year
• Annual and Sick Leave Benefits
• Student Loan Forgiveness Program (Eligibility required)
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Tuition Fee Waivers (Accepted by major Florida colleges/universities)
• Ongoing comprehensive training provided
• Career Growth
• Highly skilled, professional environment
• Maternity and Parental Leave Benefits

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior