Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Trainee (UMP)
About The Position
The Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS), the state’s lead division serving people with disabilities, is hiring a self-motivated and detail-oriented Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Trainee with good communication skills. DRS assists individuals with disabilities in achieving employment, education, and independent-living goals. This position coordinates customer case records and service-delivery documentation in a field office for the Bureau of Customer and Community Blind Services/Vocational Rehabilitation Program. The role includes interpreting and translating information into Spanish for individuals with limited English proficiency. For up to twelve months, the trainee receives formal and informal training in Vocational Rehabilitation Program rules, regulations, policies, and counseling practices. The position prepares the trainee to manage a caseload and provide services that help individuals with disabilities obtain competitive integrated employment. This is a union position subject to the applicable collective bargaining agreement. It is an Upward Mobility Program credential title. The position is based at the headquarters in Chicago, Illinois. The anticipated work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with a one-hour unpaid lunch. Hybrid work may be available, but the employee must report to headquarters as needed, depending on operational requirements. Travel is required, including overnight stays when appropriate.
Requirements
- Master’s degree from a college or university program accredited by the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE), or a master’s degree from an accredited college or university in rehabilitation counseling, rehabilitation administration, clinical psychology, counseling psychology, deaf education, special education, or a closely related field.
- Ability to speak, read, and write Spanish at a colloquial skill level.
- Ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate.
Responsibilities
- Serve as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Trainee for up to twelve months and receive orientation in the principles, techniques, procedures, and policies related to rehabilitating people with disabilities in a general vocational rehabilitation, transition, Secondary Transition Experience Program (STEP), or specialty caseload.
- Coordinate customer case records and documents related to service-delivery activities in the field office.
- Study and become proficient in using the Division’s case management system.
- Travel to attend and participate in staff meetings, conferences, workshops, and in-service training related to rehabilitation counseling.
- Interpret and translate information into Spanish for individuals with limited English proficiency.
- Perform other duties as assigned or required that are reasonably within the scope of the listed duties.
Benefits
- Pension program
- Competitive group insurance benefits, including health, life, dental, and vision insurance
- Three paid personal business days annually
- Twelve paid sick days annually, with unused sick days carrying over from year to year
- Ten to twenty-five days of paid vacation annually, with ten days in the first year of employment
- Thirteen paid holidays annually, and fourteen in even-numbered years
- Flexible work schedules when available and dependent on the position
- Twelve weeks of paid parental leave
- Deferred compensation supplemental retirement plan
- Optional pre-tax Medical Care Assistance Plan and Dependent Care Assistance Plan
- Eligibility for the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
- Eligibility for GI Bill training and apprenticeship benefits for qualifying veterans
- Five percent salary differential for bilingual positions
- Commuter Savings Program for Chicago employees
- Bilingual pay
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
