DOE/DVR - SENIOR VOCATIONAL REHAB COUNSELOR - 48004460 - TAMPA

About the role

This position performs advanced-level work under the limited supervision of the Vocational Rehabilitation Supervisor in Area 4 - Unit 15B in Tampa, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. Position is responsible for providing independent professional vocational rehabilitation counseling to identified individuals with disabilities, which may include those identified as potentially eligible Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) youth customers ages 14-21, to support the overall goal of employment.

Responsibilities

• Maintains active and meaningful engagement throughout the life of the VR case.
• Makes referrals and completes the application and Initial Interview for VR services in compliance with federal regulations.
• Affirms medical, psychological, and vocational information to determine eligibility for services.
• Accurately determines and documents eligibility for VR Services, at the earliest point possible, in compliance with the federal regulations, unless an extension is completed per policy.
• Provides information to assist individuals with disabilities in making informed choices, consistent with federal requirements, regarding services, service providers and employment outcomes.
• Supports and provides services to assist VR customers in obtaining successful and quality employment outcomes.
• Authorizes, coordinates and/or negotiates services leading to successful employment outcomes.
• Collaborates with VR Customers regarding plan development.
• Engages customers timely in their planning process to identify an appropriate vocational goal and services to develop an IPE, in compliance with the federal regulations, unless an extension of time is completed per policy.
• Documents the comprehensive assessment in compliance with policy requirements.
• Manages resources to ensure all activities, including programmatic counseling and financial, are tracked and occur according to state and federal regulations and policies.
• Develops job placement opportunities through job placement activities, including job analysis, job development, and labor market information to assist individuals with disabilities to obtain appropriate employment outcomes.
• Serves as liaison with employers.
• Utilizes the resources of community rehabilitation providers in securing appropriate job placement for eligible individuals with disabilities.
• Collaborates with community partners to assure appropriate use of available resources.
• Participates in training experiences designed to enhance professional competency in vocational rehabilitation.

Requirements

• Knowledge of the theories and practices in vocational rehabilitation guidance and counseling.
• Knowledge of medical and psychological aspects of disability groups.
• Knowledge of employment resources and vocational rehabilitation resources.
• Knowledge of program requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 and state and federal laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Skilled in interviewing techniques.
• Skilled in administering tests and analyzing results.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to be productive under tight timeframes, balance multiple and competing priorities and maintain goal-directed behavior and performance sometimes under stressful conditions.
• Ability to interact courteously with others.
• Ability to work and perform under stressful conditions.
• Ability to demonstrate consideration of the workload concerns of others and must not negatively affect productivity and morale of the unit.
• Ability to work independently and perform tasks and responsibilities with limited guidance and direction.
• Ability to gather, analyze and organize information into logical format for presentation in reports, documents, and other written materials.
• Ability to provide counseling and guidance in career planning.
• Proficient in using Microsoft Office software, such as Access, Excel, PowerPoint, Word.
• Ability to provide excellent customer service.
• Ability to maintain work area in an organized and clean manner.
• Ability to understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to use and analyze information from the management information system.
• Ability to interpret state and federal vocational rehabilitation regulations and policies.
• Ability to devise employment strategies for individuals with disabilities.
• Ability to use automated systems.
• Ability to demonstrate reliable and consistent attendance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree: Attainment of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in a field of study reasonably related to vocational rehabilitation, to indicate a level of competency and skill demonstrating basic preparation in a field of study such as: - vocational rehabilitation counseling - psychology - disability studies - business administration - human resources - special education - supported employment - customized employment - economics - another field that reasonably prepares individuals to work with consumers and employers
• Two (2) years of experience consisting of: - Direct work with individuals with disabilities in a setting such as an independent living center - Direct service for advocacy activities that provide such individuals with experience working with individuals with disabilities - Direct experience as an employer - Direct experience as a small business owner or operator - Direct experience in self-employment - Experience in human resources - Experience in recruitment - Experience in supervising employees - Experience in training - Experience in other activities that provide experience in competitive integrated employment environments
• Master’s Degree: Attainment of a master's or doctoral degree from an accredited college or university in field of study such as: - Vocational rehabilitation counseling - Law - Psychology - Disability studies