Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor 1 (35 Hour)
About The Position
Ready to empower individuals with disabilities and guide them towards meaningful employment? Join our team and make a lasting impact by helping individuals achieve their career goals and independence! The State of Connecticut, Department of Aging and Disability Services (ADS), Bureau of Rehabilitation Services (BRS) is seeking a qualified individual to join our team as Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor 1. Discover an exciting opportunity to deliver vital vocational rehabilitation services to individuals. Individuals in their final semester of a Master's degree program may apply. Candidate cannot be appointed until all degree requirements are complete. This position offers a hybrid work environment, including office-based, community-based, and remote work responsibilities. The role involves providing vocational rehabilitation services to individuals with disabilities, dealing with the public, and conducting community outreach. There are three functional areas: General Counselors focus on intakes, eligibility determination, assessments, career counseling, and developing partnerships. Level Up Counselors assist high school students with disabilities by providing pre-vocational services and resources for transition. Workforce Counselors build relationships with employers, market BRS services, educate employers on hiring clients with disabilities, and secure placement and training opportunities.
Requirements
- A Master's degree from an accredited college with a major course of study in vocational rehabilitation counseling, psychology, special education or related behavioral or social sciences.
- Incumbents in this class will be required to obtain the educational qualification for the Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor 1 and meet the most current national standard for Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) as specified by the Commissioner on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC).
- Incumbents in this class are required to maintain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator's license or Identification Card.
- Knowledge of the principles and techniques of vocational rehabilitation counseling and interviewing
- Knowledge of disability and resulting functional limitation and medical terminology
- Knowledge of community resources
- Interpersonal skills
- Oral and written communication skills
- Ability to relate to different cultural and economic backgrounds
- Ability to organize time, set priorities and manage workload using an electronic system
- Ability to gather, analyze and evaluate significant information pertinent to the rehabilitation of an individual
- Ability to establish and maintain an effective counseling relationship with individuals
- Ability to write reports
Nice To Haves
- Individuals in their final semester of a Master's degree program may apply. Candidate cannot be appointed until all degree requirements are complete.
- Experience working with high school students or adults with disabilities
- Experience providing outreach and conducting presentations to community agencies
- Experience with an electronic case management system, Outlook, and video conferencing platforms.
- Experience working with population diversity or underserved populations
- Experience managing competing priorities while meeting deadlines
- Experience communicating with internal and external stakeholders
- Incumbents in this class may be required to travel with or without accommodation.
Responsibilities
- Providing vocational rehabilitation services to individuals with disabilities
- Dealing with the public and conducting community outreach
- Managing referrals from general intake, community organizations, school systems and other community referrals
- Conducting intakes, gathering and reviewing records for eligibility determination
- Performing assessments
- Providing career counseling and individualized services to eligible transition age youth and/or adults with disabilities regarding their employment options
- Developing effective partnerships through community outreach
- Collaborating with schools, students and families to provide pre-vocational services, resources, and information for high school students with disabilities transitioning from high school into the work force
- Building relationships with employers and marketing BRS services
- Educating employers on the benefits of employing qualified clients
- Securing placement and training opportunities for job seekers based on current labor market trends
- Performing a limited range of professional rehabilitation planning for and services to individuals with disabilities and rehabilitation needs
- Conducting interviews and explaining functions, services and eligibility requirements of the agency
- Counseling individuals and assisting in planning, selecting, preparing for and achieving a vocational goal
- Obtaining sufficient case information from schools, employers, Social Security Administration and other public and private agencies and medical facilities
- Arranging for services within the agency or other community agencies
- Preparing written reports to document decisions and assessing vocational rehabilitation potential
- Establishing community referral sources
- Preparing case histories and other case records as components of an assigned caseload using an electronic system
- Coordinating and delivering presentations
- Administering vocational tests
Benefits
- Professional growth and development opportunities.
- A healthy work/life balance to all employees.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
