Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist

State of Nebraska • Lincoln, NE

13d • $66,823 - $73,808 • Onsite

About The Position

Do you care about making a tangible difference in people's lives? Do you have experience in vocational rehabilitation, disability, or employment counseling? The Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court is seeking a dedicated and skilled Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist to join our team. If you're looking for a rewarding role that combines professional challenge with a great work-life balance, this is your opportunity! As a Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist, you'll be instrumental in guiding injured workers back to suitable employment. You will manage a caseload, monitor case progress, and review proposed return to work plans with the goal of returning injured employees to employment after work injuries. We're looking for someone who is detail-oriented, enjoys variety, and has a strong desire to help others achieve their full potential after a work injury. Location: Lincoln, Nebraska Must reside in the State of Nebraska. Work is performed on-site in downtown Lincoln during normal business hours (Monday - Friday).

Requirements

• Masters degree in vocational rehabilitation counseling or a closely related field and 1 year of experience providing vocational rehabilitation case management, case supervision, or related services. Or a Bachelors of Science in vocational rehabilitation counseling or closely related field and 2 years of experience providing vocational rehabilitation case management, case supervision, or related services.
• Knowledge of medical and legal aspects of rehabilitation, principles of rehabilitation counseling, essential activities of disability case management, and occupational and labor market information.
• Ability to create and maintain a positive working environment.
• Ability to maintain a high order of discipline and responsibility in carrying out assigned duties as a representative of the court.
• Ability to comply with ethical standards for vocational rehabilitation counselors.
• Ability to exercise initiative and independent judgment within a broad framework of existing policies and procedures.
• Ability to effectively utilize the court’s computer system, and to implement information technology solutions, processes, and procedures.
• Ability to make and implement decisions effectively.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to interpret court policies and objectives for outside parties and the public.
• Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality.
• Ability to plan, organize, and prioritize individual work assignments and communicate the status of assignments.
• Ability to perform effectively under stress.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with court and/or state personnel at all levels, and with the public.
• Ability to follow established policies and procedures.
• Ability to comply with established work schedules.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate proposed vocational rehabilitation plans submitted for approval by certified vocational rehabilitation counselors.
• Make a determination as to whether the proposed plan is likely to result in suitable employment, and approve or deny the proposed plan as appropriate.
• Monitor approved plans, ensure that required actions and submissions are completed, review and process mileage and expense reimbursements, and close the court file when services are completed.
• Track the progress of all cases opened in the vocational rehabilitation section for both vocational services and loss of earning analysis, review and process all reports for open cases, and input data onto statistical spreadsheets.
• Authorize payments from the Workers’ Compensation Trust Fund if vocational rehabilitation is voluntarily offered by the employer and accepted by the employee, consistent with applicable statute and court rules. Monitor payments from the fund.
• Review and act on requests for change of vocational rehabilitation counselor.
• Monitor performance of vocational rehabilitation services providers, and if necessary make recommendations to the Vocational Rehabilitation Manager for corrective action. Maintain the directory of certified providers.
• Respond to inquiries from court staff and the public regarding vocational rehabilitation or related issues.
• Provide assistance to other vocational rehabilitation specialists in their absence. Serve as a resource to other specialists by staffing difficult and unusual cases and making recommendations.
• Provide back up to the Vocational Rehabilitation Manager in reviewing and acting on requests for appointment of vocational rehabilitation counselor.
• Provide backup to the Vocational Rehabilitation Manager in evaluating applications for vocational rehabilitation service provider certification. In the absence or unavailability of the Vocational Rehabilitation Manager recommend approval or denial of certification to the Court Administrator. Record, file, and maintain records and documents pertaining to certification.
• Provide backup to the Vocational Rehabilitation Manager in performing database queries and searches to monitor litigation status on vocational rehabilitation cases, enter information in case notes, and refer critical information to the appropriate Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist. Refer issues requiring representation of the Nebraska Attorney General to the Court Administrator. Establish review dates to monitor Orders and Awards for appeal dates and contact dates.
• Verify immigration status of vocational rehabilitation service recipients through the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlement (SAVE) Program of the U. S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
• Assist in the review and development of statutes and rules relating to vocational rehabilitation and policies and procedures for the vocational rehabilitation section. Continuously analyze vocational rehabilitation section procedures and processes to ensure the system works in an efficient manner and best serves the people using the system. Make recommendations to the Vocational Rehabilitation Manager if there are ways to improve the system. Assist in maintaining policies and procedures in the vocational rehabilitation section database. Assist in training new staff. Prepare and present information relating to vocational rehabilitation to various groups, agencies, or organizations.

Benefits

• We offer a comprehensive package of pay, benefits, paid time off, retirement and professional development opportunities to help you get the most out of your career and life.
• Your paycheck is just part of your total compensation.
• Check out all that the State of Nebraska has to offer!
• Benefit eligibility may vary by position, agency and employment status.
• For more information on benefits, please visit: https://statejobs.nebraska.gov/index.html#benefits

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees