Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor 2-Underfill

State of Nevada•Ely, NV

2d•Onsite

About The Position

This recruitment is for a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor 2, underfill for Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor 3 in the Ely office of the Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation. The incumbent makes eligibility decisions for program services; provides eligible individuals with sufficient counseling and guidance to assist them in completing an adequate assessment of vocational needs; develops Individual Plans for Employment (IPE); manages cases in a manner that ensures timely case movement and delivery of services; ensures that accurate case documentation is in case files; ensures case expenditures are appropriate; completes required actions with sufficient written documentation and justification as needed to obtain the required number of employment outcomes; consults and collaborates with management when dealing with significant issues; provides feedback to lower level VR employees in a productive, consistent and timely manner; and provides quality customer service.

Requirements

Master's degree from an accredited university in vocational rehabilitation counseling, health or social sciences, business administration, education, or closely related field, and one year of professional experience in vocational rehabilitation counseling which included making eligibility, ineligibility and employment outcome determinations by applying federal, state and agency regulations, policies and procedures for a public vocational rehabilitation or similar program; negotiating and resolving conflicts; and performing community outreach public relations activities for an assigned program
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in vocational rehabilitation counseling, health or social sciences, business administration, education, or closely related field, and two years of professional experience as described above
One year of experience as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor I in Nevada State service
An equivalent combination of education and experience above the Bachelor's degree level as described above
Working knowledge of: diagnoses and treatment processes sufficient to analyze and interpret medical and psychological reports; theories and practices related to work assessment, work adjustment and work readiness; medical and psychological reference texts, medical fee schedules and vocational reference materials and how to use them effectively; medical, social and psychological problems unique to persons with disabilities; career counseling and assessment techniques; theories and practices related to disability counseling; vocational consultation and employer services.
General knowledge of: incentive programs designed to promote employment of persons with disabilities; vocational evaluation instruments used in evaluating characteristics, skills and aptitudes of persons with disabilities; vocational rehabilitation technology and equipment; barriers to independent living and assessment resources.
Ability to: develop and implement individualized vocational rehabilitation plans; project, authorize and prioritize expenditures associated with vocational rehabilitation services; motivate and persuade employers to hire people with disabilities; synthesize and summarize complex technical and medical information into verbal and written expression for presentation to clients, employers and service providers; apply federal and State regulations, policies and procedures to make eligibility and ineligibility determinations and employment outcomes; manage a caseload budget; assess the availability of comparable services and benefits; work as part of a team and across disciplines.
Skill in: conducting job modification and restructuring assessments; conducting labor market surveys; presenting job seeking skills training; conducting job analysis and transferable skills analysis for selective placement of persons with disabilities.

Responsibilities

Manage the caseload budget; project and authorize expenditures to assess applicants and meet client needs for physical and mental restoration, training or other vocational rehabilitation services; establish priorities of case spending; track caseload expenses according to prevailing federal, State and agency policies and guidelines; identify and utilize other available financial resources to maximize the use of agency funds.
Interview applicants to establish case histories to include family background, social characteristics, education, work experience, health history and financial status; identify appropriate diagnostics, consultations, medical and psychological records needed to determine eligibility or ineligibility; schedule applicants for medical, psychological and vocational assessments; make referrals to other social services as appropriate.
Analyze data gathered to establish the existence of a disabling condition; determine physical and psychological limitations which are impediments to employment; determine the applicants’ need for, and ability to benefit from, vocational rehabilitation services to obtain employment for eligibility purposes and plan development.
Determine and document ineligibility based on clear and convincing evidence which may include trial work periods.
Assess vocational rehabilitation needs of clients; identify medical, psychological, social, vocational, educational and other needs including unique strengths, resources, priorities and interests.
Develop an IPE; determine a realistic vocational goal with the informed choice of clients; identify specific intermediate objectives and strategies; determine evaluation criteria and schedules; identify service providers and coordinate service delivery; evaluate the effectiveness of services provided; ensure clients utilize available benefits and entitlements; provide required services; review and modify goals and strategies as needed.
Provide ongoing service coordination and advocacy on behalf of clients to facilitate the IPE; perform a variety of counseling to include adjustment, family, individual and group, and career and job readiness counseling; coordinate job placement services.
Assess job readiness; provide job seeking skills training; develop job placement resources by contacting local employers and private vendors to become familiar with the job market; provide information to local employers regarding agency program goals and State and federal employment incentives; advise and assist employers with appropriate work station modification to accommodate specific disabilities; provide on-the-job training, supportive work, selective job placement and follow-up.
Consult with doctors, psychologists, therapists, prosthesis manufacturers, hospital staffs and dentists to plan and coordinate delivery of physical and mental restoration services; refer clients to training programs in high schools, universities, vocational schools and arrange for mobility and independent living instruction as appropriate; authorize and monitor vocational assessment and vocational adjustment services to evaluate clients' physical and mental limitations, level of vocational functioning, attitude, motivation and work tolerance; consult with coworkers and service providers such as social workers, veterans' representatives and school officials to coordinate areas of overlapping services.
Maintain case files and document all activities and expenditures to include development of IPE, progress notations, correspondence, diagnostic and evaluative reports, case histories and budget status reports; collect, analyze, and report statistical and budget data related to caseloads.
Represent client and agency interests by attending meetings and community events and interacting with employers, other agencies, members of the community and local facilities and institutions; serve on committees and agency staffing to explore issues that impact the agency and its clientele.
Perform related duties as assigned.
Manage a caseload and make independent case decisions related to the vocational rehabilitation process and encumber funds for case services and participate in formal case reviews; however, eligibility determinations, individual plans, progress and case closure decisions are subject to supervisory review through case records and statistical printouts and formal case reviews.
May assign and review work performed by support staff.