VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION COUNSELOR II

State of careers Rhode Island

9d • $76,460 - $86,474 • Onsite

About The Position

This position performs complex assessment duties to achieve employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities within a statewide vocational rehabilitation program. The role involves reviewing, evaluating, and interpreting medical, vocational, educational, and psychological data to make accurate eligibility and planning decisions. The position specifically serves the specialized blind service region (region 7) and operates statewide, working with individuals who have employment barriers due to vision impairments. This includes individuals who may experience challenges with adjustment to blindness, independence, education, employment, transportation, personal care, communication, and access to information. The work involves intake, eligibility determination, assessment, counseling, guidance, referral, case planning, and service coordination with individuals who are blind or significantly visually impaired, potentially deaf-blind, and English language proficient. The role also serves populations of blind & visually impaired adults and students in high school and post-secondary education, as well as those with behavioral, intellectual, developmental disabilities, mental health conditions, and/or other co-occurring physical and/or medical conditions. Additionally, potentially eligible transition-age students in secondary education programs will be served. The individual hired will work at an E-Verify site and must have their employment eligibility validated through E-Verify.

Requirements

• A thorough knowledge of approved methods and procedures used in vocational rehabilitation including the various related laws, rules and regulations.
• A thorough knowledge of educational and vocational training opportunities, community rehabilitation and treatment facilities, labor market analysis, employment strategies, and economic trends.
• The ability to conduct personnel fact-finding interviews, evaluate data, and make accurate and appropriate eligibility decisions.
• The ability to prepare complete and accurate reports.
• Graduation from a graduate school of recognized standing with a Master’s Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling.
• Employment as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor in a private or public rehabilitation agency.
• Any combination of education and experience that shall be substantially equivalent to the above education and experience.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with individuals who experience employment barriers due to vision impairments.
• Experience working with individuals who are blind or significantly visually impaired, potentially deaf-blind.
• Experience working with individuals with behavioral, intellectual and developmental disabilities, mental health conditions, and/or other co-occurring physical and/or medical conditions.
• Experience working with transition-age students in secondary education programs.

Responsibilities

• Perform complex assessment duties resulting in employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities in connection with a statewide program of vocational rehabilitation.
• Review, evaluate, and interpret medical, vocational, educational, and psychosocial data to make accurate eligibility and planning decisions.
• Identify types of disabilities and the functional limitations associated with such disabilities.
• Effectively utilize community resources, support services, and rehabilitation technology as they relate to persons with disabilities.
• Perform job development, job analysis, and labor market analysis activities and apply those skills to achieving employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities.
• Provide responsible vocational counseling and guidance to eligible clients.
• Develop, in partnership with clients, effective employment plans with realistic employment goals and monitor progress towards those goals.
• Ascertain economic trends through statistical and demographic research and determinations.
• Assist in reviewing cases from a clinical and technical perspective to monitor for compliance with laws, rules, and regulations.
• Keep accurate records and make detailed written reports.
• Participate in activities of various committees, councils or commissions as required.
• Do related work as required.

Benefits

• Information regarding benefits available to State of Rhode Island employees can be found at the Office of Employee Benefits' website.
• Direct deposit for all employees is required for new hires after September 30, 2014.

What This Job Offers

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