Vocational and Career Counselor - Framingham

Commonwealth of Massachusetts • Framingham, MA

7d • Onsite

About The Position

MassAbility is seeking dedicated and compassionate individuals who desire a rewarding career making a difference in the lives of individuals with disabilities to obtain and maintain employment. The Vocational and Career Counselor will coordinate vocational rehabilitation services from intake through plan development and placement as mandated by federal statutes and guidelines. The ideal candidate will administer functional skills analysis, review, analyze assessment tests, interview, and conduct observations, develop plans, partner with service providers, and provide access to successful job placement.
At MassAbility, we are driven by a fundamental belief that we are all different but connected – individuals who share a common purpose and who bring our own talents, ingenuity, and perspective to achieve our vision. That belief puts diversity, equity, and inclusion at the center of everything we do. We are keenly aware of the barriers that many of us face as we strive to live life on our own terms. That’s why, as a community, we are committed to always being part of the solution. This work is essential to who we are as an organization. Together, we are making a better state possible for everyone. As a team member, you’ll join an agency that values a learning and participatory performance culture with an emphasis on high-performance teams, individual contribution/impact, and engagement in activities to promote and support programs, divisions, and the overall agency vision and mission.
Candidates with a Masters Degrees in designated relevant areas may be eligible for a higher grade entry-level QVRC position.

Requirements

• Knowledge of evaluation methods and techniques to determine inaptitude skills and occupational preferences.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of assisting people in coping with physical and/or mental disabilities to meet their vocational, social and independent living needs.
• Ability to gather information through questioning and observing individuals and by examining records and documents to assess consumer needs.
• Ability to use a computer to conduct research, manage databases and produce written documents.
• Ability to communicate information and ideas so others will understand; ability to appropriately document case activities and represent the agency in a professional manner.
• Ability to interact effectively and establish rapport with diverse teams and groups of people.
• Ability to maintain a calm manner and interact appropriately with others in emotionally charged or stressful situations.
• Ability to analyze and determine the applicability of data, draw conclusions and make appropriate recommendations.
• Ability to exercise discretion in handling confidential information.
• A (A) Bachelor’s degree or higher in Rehabilitation Administration/Services, Disability Studies, Vocational Assessment/Evaluation, Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Sociology, Rehabilitation Counseling, Social Work, Education, Special Education, Occupational Therapy, Criminal Justice, Legal or Substance Use, or other related human services degrees
• Four (4) years of full-time or equivalent part-time experience in vocational counseling, job placement, career counseling and guidance, assessment and vocational evaluation, job development, services for employers, community outreach, advocacy, and other related work experience within the disability community. Relevant internship experience may be considered for the (B) required experience.
• Based on assignment, travel is required; incumbents who elect to use a motor vehicle for travel must have a current and valid motor vehicle driver's license at a class level specific to assignment.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of counseling and job placement of persons with vocational/occupational barriers, including physical, emotional, psychological, and intellectual disabilities.
• Familiarity with utilizing psychological tests and other evaluative techniques.
• Commitment to lifelong learning in relationship to their own professional development.
• Outstanding organizational, written, and oral communications skills; attention to detail.
• Responsible for learning and staying up to date on MassAbility’s diversity, equity, inclusion and racial equity skills, results, and expectations specific to Vocational Rehabilitation programs.
• Experience working in a team culture that values inclusivity, performance, transparency, and authenticity.
• Knowledge of and experience in diversity, equity, inclusion, and racial equity and effective engagement across differences.
• Experience working in a team culture that values inclusivity, performance, transparency, and authenticity.
• Proficient usage of Microsoft Office products including Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Outlook as well as technologies supporting a remote workplace (e.g., Zoom, Microsoft Teams).
• Solid written and oral communication skills and proficiency establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with a variety of diverse consumers, families, staff, and organizations.
• A Master's degree or higher in Rehabilitation Counselling or other related human services field may be substituted for the (B) required experience.
• Twenty (20) credits towards a Master's degree in Rehabilitation Counselling or other related human services field may be substituted for one (1) year of the (B) required experience.
• Forty (40) credits towards a Master's degree in Rehabilitation Counselling or other related human services field may be substituted for two (2) years of the (B) required experience.
• A non-related Bachelor’s degree plus six (6) years of full-time or part-time equivalent experience in vocational counseling, job placement, career counseling and guidance, assessment and vocational evaluation, job development, services for employers community outreach, advocacy and other related work experience within the disability community. Relevant internship experience may be considered for the (B) required experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide professional vocational counseling within a continuum of services to help clients achieve success and to remove barriers by identifying unique strengths, resources, and abilities related to planning and achieving employment outcomes.
• Administer residual functional capacities assessments, interest tests, aptitude tests, transferable skills analysis, and other vocational assessment tools.
• Develop, implement, and monitor Individualized Plans for Employment (IPE) through onsite visits, job fairs and career seminars.
• Engage clients in activities of employment preparedness, job seeking and development; Facilitate appropriate concepts, individually or in group settings, to improve skills necessary for all stages of vocational development.
• Monitor, evaluate, and track client progress with respect to relevant goals in an accurate and timely manner.
• Establish, maintain, and monitor close and cooperative relationships with providers and employers in carrying out supportive services.
• Monitor on-site job coaching and recommend assistive devices for program and/or service use; Partner with agency regional/district staff, vendor organizations and other constituents in the role and scope of service delivery.
• Participate in training experiences designed to enhance professional competency in vocational rehabilitation.

Benefits

• Comprehensive Benefits
• outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package
• work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future

What This Job Offers

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