Vocational Rehabilitation Spec

State of Oklahoma • Muskogee, OK

1d • $49,297 - $68,702 • Onsite

About The Position

Positions in this job family are assigned responsibilities for performing complex professional work in program consultation and monitoring; in guidance and counseling; client training; and specialized job placement for the vocational rehabilitation of individuals with physical or mental disabilities, blindness or visual impairments. Assigned responsibilities also include evaluating client work capacities, providing assistive technology services and administering tests to determine vocational aptitudes, interests, abilities, and potential of clients. The functions performed in this job family will vary by level, unit and organization, but may include providing services to clients in meeting problems of personal, social, and vocational adjustment. Interpreting and analyzing applicant’s physical or mental condition, social and economic situation, attitudes and aptitudes, work experiences, functional limitations, educational background and personality traits to determine kind and extent of disability and rehabilitation possibilities. Consulting with physicians, psychologists and other appropriate disability professionals regarding findings of examinations; administering and interpreting psychological tests when indicated; determining eligibility for rehabilitation services on the basis of law and policy; and assisting individuals in formulating a suitable rehabilitation plan. Planning and arranging for rehabilitation services; approving expenditures within specified limits for planned rehabilitation services. Conferring with public and private employers to establish job opportunities for rehabilitation clients; aiding clients in securing employment consistent with their capabilities; monitoring client progress. Providing program monitoring and consultation; keeping appropriate case records and controls case service expenditures. Assisting employers and businesses with guidelines for accommodating people with disabilities according to the Americans with Disabilities Act and other laws, regulations, policies, and procedures pertaining to persons with disabilities. Administering and/or developing work samples and situational assessments. Reviewing and assessing medical, psychological, neuropsychological, legal, educational and social information concerning clients who have been referred for vocational evaluation; determining need for additional diagnostic information. Preparing individual written vocational evaluation plans; acting as consultant to Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors in making vocational decisions. Orienting clients to the evaluation process; administering and interpreting test results to determine learning capacity, work-related aptitudes, abilities and limitations, behavioral factors affecting vocational performance and rehabilitation potential of clients; making objective observations of all behaviors essential to the world of work; and recommending specific goals and services to clients. Teaching basic vocational skills and leading groups that are composed of individuals with vastly diverse cultural, educational, emotional, physical and mental abilities and backgrounds; developing and administering appropriate job samples to determine learning ability, reaction to supervision, work with peers, work tolerances, physical tolerances and endurance. Assisting individuals with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of assistive technology devices(s). Preparing vocational evaluation reports detailing test results and their implications, job sample evaluation, summary of observations, work ethics and attitudes, physical capabilities, clients expressed and displayed vocational interest. The position is located in the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation in Muskogee (VR18). The caseload is made up of adults and transition aged youth. The covered area for adults and youth is Okmulgee County. The position consults with physicians, psychologists and other disability professionals regarding the functional limitations, treatment and prognosis of eligible applicants; utilizes knowledge of principles and practices of vocational rehabilitation counseling to determine eligibility, completes comprehensive assessments; helps clients develop their Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE); provides vocational counseling and guidance in the effective delivery of case services; participates in job readiness, job search, and job placement activities to ensure a successful case outcome for the client and follows agency record documentation guidelines throughout the vocational rehabilitation process.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in vocational rehabilitation, vocational evaluation, or counseling; OR a bachelor's degree and one year of experience in a disability related field (for Level I)
• Master's degree in rehabilitation counseling or human resources with a rehabilitation counselor major, psychology, Behavioral Science, Marital and Family Therapy, School Counseling, Special Education, a Master in Education in School Counseling or Special Education or a counseling related field, OR any master's degree and is eligible to sit for the certification/licensure exam specific to the professional job duties such as the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC), the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Certified Vocational Evaluator (CVE), or the Professional Vocational Evaluator (PVE) certification the Licensed Behavioral Practitioner (LBP), the Licensed Marital and Family Therapist (LFMT), School Counselor Certification (Traditional) or Certification in Special Education (for Level II, III, and IV)
• Two years of professional experience in counseling, job placement, vocational evaluation or rehabilitation (for Level III)
• Four years of professional experience in counseling, job placement, vocational evaluation or rehabilitation (for Level IV)
• Knowledge of disabilities
• Knowledge of human relations and conditions
• Knowledge of community services, resources and interventions
• Knowledge of case management principles and practices
• Knowledge of job information and placement practices
• Knowledge of basic computer and software operations
• Ability to interact with persons having significant disabilities
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships
• Ability to interpret and apply administrative policies, program guidelines and rules
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Ability to operate and maintain office equipment
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of vocational counseling and vocational evaluation techniques
• Knowledge of emotional and psychological problems of persons with physical or mental disabilities
• Knowledge of assistive technology needs
• Knowledge of occupational testing and placement
• Knowledge of available community resources
• Knowledge of laws and regulations pertinent to the rehabilitation of persons with disabilities, including the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act, as amended
• Knowledge of agency policies and procedures
• Ability to understand the impact of diagnosis and interpret diagnostic results
• Ability to administer vocational testing
• Ability to analyze data and situations accurately
• Ability to develop and implement effective plans for vocational placements
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships within the organization and the community
• Knowledge of a specialty area (for Level III and IV)
• Knowledge of project management (for Level IV)
• Ability to provide consultation (for Level III and IV)
• Ability to provide training and guidance to others (for Level IV)
• Proficiency in the American Sign Language (for some positions)
• Willingness and ability to perform all job-related travel normally associated with this position
• Must be authorized to work in the U.S. now and in the future without employer sponsorship

Nice To Haves

• Current LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor) or CRC (Certified Rehabilitation Counselor), LBP (Licensed Behavioral Practitioner, LFMT (Licensed Marital and Family Therapist), School Counselor Certification (traditional) or certification in Special Education credentials
• Experience in counseling

Responsibilities

• Performing complex professional work in program consultation and monitoring
• Providing guidance and counseling
• Client training
• Specialized job placement for the vocational rehabilitation of individuals with physical or mental disabilities, blindness or visual impairments
• Evaluating client work capacities
• Providing assistive technology services
• Administering tests to determine vocational aptitudes, interests, abilities, and potential of clients
• Provides services to clients in meeting problems of personal, social, and vocational adjustment
• Interprets and analyzes applicant’s physical or mental condition, social and economic situation, attitudes and aptitudes, work experiences, functional limitations, educational background and personality traits to determine kind and extent of disability and rehabilitation possibilities
• Consults with physicians, psychologists and other appropriate disability professionals regarding findings of examinations
• Administers and interprets psychological tests when indicated
• Determines eligibility for rehabilitation services on the basis of law and policy
• Assists individuals in formulating a suitable rehabilitation plan
• Plans and arranges for rehabilitation services
• Approves expenditures within specified limits for planned rehabilitation services
• Confers with public and private employers to establish job opportunities for rehabilitation clients
• Aids clients in securing employment consistent with their capabilities
• Monitors client progress
• Provides program monitoring and consultation
• Keeps appropriate case records and controls case service expenditures
• Assists employers and businesses with guidelines for accommodating people with disabilities according to the Americans with Disabilities Act and other laws, regulations, policies, and procedures pertaining to persons with disabilities
• Administers and/or develops work samples and situational assessments
• Reviews and assesses medical, psychological, neuropsychological, legal, educational and social information concerning clients who have been referred for vocational evaluation
• Determines need for additional diagnostic information
• Prepares individual written vocational evaluation plans
• Acts as consultant to Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors in making vocational decisions
• Orients clients to the evaluation process
• Administers and interprets test results to determine learning capacity, work-related aptitudes, abilities and limitations, behavioral factors affecting vocational performance and rehabilitation potential of clients
• Makes objective observations of all behaviors essential to the world of work
• Recommends specific goals and services to clients
• Teaches basic vocational skills and leads groups that are composed of individuals with vastly diverse cultural, educational, emotional, physical and mental abilities and backgrounds
• Develops and administers appropriate job samples to determine learning ability, reaction to supervision, work with peers, work tolerances, physical tolerances and endurance
• Assists individuals with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of assistive technology devices(s)
• Prepares vocational evaluation reports detailing test results and their implications, job sample evaluation, summary of observations, work ethics and attitudes, physical capabilities, clients expressed and displayed vocational interest
• Supports the maintenance of a caseload
• Assists with providing vocational counseling and vocational evaluations
• Provides information about DVR/DVS process, services and consumer rights and responsibilities
• Provides community referrals
• Assists with initial interviews
• Requests and collects consumer records and data
• Determines eligibility
• Analyzes and assesses consumers strengths and barriers to employment
• Completes comprehensive assessments of consumer functional limitations and abilities
• Analyzes and interprets medical, psychological and financial records/data
• Assists in the development of IPE
• Assists and provides job referrals and placement activities
• Assists with coordinating services as identified in plan
• Monitors and evaluates consumer progress toward employment goal/outcome
• Completes annual reviews and other case documentations/narratives
• Performs job-related travel and other duties deemed and approved by supervisor for consumers with physical and/ or mental disabilities
• Serves as a subject matter resource person and consultant
• Performs additional functions as a subject matter expert regarding: American Indian VR, Workforce/Navigator, Specific Disabilities, Multi-Cultural Competence, Home/Vehicle/Worksite Modifications, Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Acts, Transition, Public Agency Resources, Independent Living, Community Resources, Outreach, Mentoring, Job Placement/Job Development, Disability Legislation, Self-Employment/Entrepreneurship, Assistive Technology Services, and others
• Acts as a team leader
• Assigns work and supervises lower-level vocational rehabilitation professionals and/or rehabilitation technicians
• Develops new initiatives and serves as project manager
• Consults with physicians, psychologists and other disability professionals regarding the functional limitations, treatment and prognosis of eligible applicants
• Utilizes knowledge of principles and practices of vocational rehabilitation counseling to determine eligibility
• Completes comprehensive assessments
• Helps clients develop their Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE)
• Provides vocational counseling and guidance in the effective delivery of case services
• Participates in job readiness, job search, and job placement activities to ensure a successful case outcome for the client
• Follows agency record documentation guidelines throughout the vocational rehabilitation process

Benefits

• Generous state paid benefit allowance to help cover insurance premiums
• A wide choice of health insurance plans with no pre-existing condition exclusions or limitations
• Flexible spending accounts for health care expenses or dependent care
• Employee assistance programs and health and fitness programs
• 11 paid holidays
• 15 days of vacation and 15 days of sick leave for the first year
• Retirement Savings Plan with a generous match
• Longevity Bonus for years of service
• 5% additional pay for the possession of an appropriate professional certification or licensure
• Training opportunities to help meet CEU requirements

What This Job Offers

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