HOME SERVICES PROGRAM COUNSELOR TRAINEE (UMP)

Agency: Department of Human Services

About the role

The Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) is the state’s lead division serving people with disabilities, committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and racial justice. The mission of the Division is to assist individuals with disabilities in achieving their goals of employment, education, and independent living.

This position coordinates customer case records and documents in a field office pertaining to the service delivery activities for customers in the Bureau of Customer and Community Field Services/Home Services Program. The role includes formal and informal training (not to exceed twelve months) to learn the rules, regulations, and policies of the Home Services Program, ultimately managing a caseload to provide services that help individuals with disabilities remain independent in their homes and communities. The position also involves interpreting and translating information into Spanish for limited English-speaking individuals.

The Division seeks a self-motivated, detail-oriented individual with strong communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a Home Services Program Counselor Trainee in the Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS), Bureau of Customer and Community Field Services/Home Services Program, receiving on-the-job training (not to exceed twelve months) to learn rules, federal and state regulations, policies, and procedures for providing services under the Persons with Disabilities (PWD) Waiver, Brain Injury (BI) Waiver, and/or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) Waiver for individuals at risk of nursing home placement.
• Study and become proficient in utilizing the Division's case management system.
• Attend and participate in staff meetings, conferences, workshops, and in-service training related to rehabilitation counseling and the Home Services Program.
• Interpret and translate information into Spanish for limited English-speaking individuals.
• Travel to individuals' homes to interview applicants, determine initial eligibility, and monitor and reevaluate services for the DRS Home Services Program.
• Physically access and visually assess home environments for suitability and service planning.
• Perform other duties as assigned or required within the scope of the role.

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 social work, sociology, gerontology, nursing, 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 to individuals' homes for interviews, eligibility determinations, and service monitoring.
• Ability to physically access and visually assess home environments.

Pay

Anticipated salary: $5,328–$7,480/month ($63,936–$89,760/year) plus bilingual pay differential.

Schedule

Full-time, Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–5:00 PM (1-hour unpaid lunch).

Benefits

• Pension program.
• Competitive group insurance benefits, including health, life, dental, and vision.
• 3 paid personal business days annually.
• 12 paid sick days annually (carry over from year to year).
• 10–25 paid vacation days annually (10 days in the first year of employment).
• 13 paid holidays annually (14 in even-numbered years).
• 12 weeks of paid parental leave.
• Deferred compensation program (supplemental retirement plan).
• Optional pre-tax programs: Medical Care Assistance Plan (MCAP) and Dependent Care Assistance Plan (DCAP).
• Eligibility for the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
• GI Bill® Training/Apprenticeship Benefits eligibility for qualifying veterans.
• 5% salary differential for bilingual positions.
• Commuter Savings Program (Chicago only).

Location

Headquarters: 888 S Edgelawn Dr, Aurora, Illinois, 60506 (Kane County).