Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist

EPSI•Austin, TX

2d•$65,000 - $72,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist supports EPSI’s mission of providing employment opportunities to individuals with disabilities. The position supports EPSI’s disability employment and compliance programs by identifying and documenting qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable AbilityOne, SourceAmerica, WorkQuest, and EPSI requirements. The Specialist works with candidates selected by hiring managers to determine and document disability eligibility and collaborate with Human Resources, hiring managers, employees, and external program partners to maintain required documentation, identify available resources, and address barriers that may affect employment and retention. The position also ensures required employee and disability-program data is accurate, complete, appropriately maintained, and provided timely to support applicable reporting and compliance requirements.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in rehabilitation counseling, vocational rehabilitation, psychology, social work, human services, disability studies, or a related field; equivalent relevant education and experience may be considered.
Experience working with individuals with disabilities in vocational rehabilitation, supported employment, workforce development, human services, disability services, or a related environment.
Ability to review and interpret disability-related documentation, apply established eligibility criteria, and maintain appropriate confidentiality of medical and disability-related information.
Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively and respectfully with individuals with a wide range of disabilities and backgrounds.
Strong organizational, documentation, and data-management skills, including maintaining accurate records, identifying information requiring follow-up, and meeting established deadlines.
Ability to work collaboratively with Human Resources, Operations, management, employees, external program partners, and community organizations while exercising sound judgment and recognizing when matters require appropriate referral or escalation.
Ability to travel for on-site contract start-ups and vocational rehabilitation support for EPSI project management, as needed.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling, vocational rehabilitation, social work, psychology, or a related field.
Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) credential or other relevant professional certification.
Experience with AbilityOne, SourceAmerica, WorkQuest, state-use programs, or similar disability employment programs.
Experience with vocational rehabilitation agencies, workforce development organizations, supported employment programs, or community disability service providers.
Knowledge of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), workplace accommodations, and the interactive process.
Bilingual skills are a plus.

Responsibilities

Work with applicants selected by hiring managers to determine and document disability eligibility under applicable AbilityOne, SourceAmerica, WorkQuest, and other qualifying program requirements.
Conduct interviews and review available documentation to identify and verify qualifying disabilities in accordance with applicable program and EPSI requirements.
Assist applicants and employees in obtaining additional documentation when needed to establish or maintain program eligibility.
Maintain accurate, complete, and confidential disability eligibility records and supporting documentation, ensuring disability-related information is maintained separately and in accordance with applicable requirements.
Monitor documentation requirements and follow up when updated or additional information is needed.
Serve as a resource for employees with disabilities by identifying vocational rehabilitation services, community programs, transportation, assistive services, and other resources that may support successful employment.
Assist Human Resources in identifying potential workplace accommodations and resources and participate in the interactive accommodation process as assigned.
Identify barriers that may affect successful employment and retention and connect employees with appropriate internal or external resources.
Develop and maintain relationships with vocational rehabilitation agencies, workforce programs, disability service organizations, and other community resources.
Work closely with Human Resources, Operations, and external program partners to support applicable AbilityOne, SourceAmerica, WorkQuest, and other disability employment program requirements.
Collect, review, maintain, and update employee and disability-program information necessary for reporting, compliance, audits, and program monitoring.
Maintain an organized tracking system for eligibility documentation, reporting requirements and deadlines, outstanding information, and required follow-up.
Regularly review disability-program records and promptly follow up with employees, Human Resources, management, or other appropriate parties regarding missing, incomplete, outdated, or inconsistent information.
Prepare required reports and ensure necessary information and supporting documentation are accurate, complete, and provided within applicable reporting deadlines.
Remain knowledgeable of applicable AbilityOne, SourceAmerica, WorkQuest, and other disability employment program requirements and assist management in understanding documentation and compliance requirements while maintaining appropriate confidentiality.
Perform other vocational rehabilitation, disability employment, reporting, and compliance-related duties as assigned.