Transition Services Specialist (VR Service or Rehabilitation Specialist)

About the role

The work we do matters! This position involves visits to high schools to provide career exploration services and work readiness skills training to high school students with disabilities. The role also includes attending IEP meetings, developing Individualized Plans for Employment (IPEs), and maintaining relationships with students, parents, teachers, and other educational entity staff.

Responsibilities

• Visits high schools to provide career exploration services and work readiness skills training to high school students with disabilities.
• Demonstrates beneficial soft skills and advises students in informed decision making, interpersonal, and vocational skills.
• Assists students with strengthening their self-advocacy skills related to their disabilities.
• Arranges job exploration activities such as informational interviews, job shadows, work-based learning experiences, etc.
• Develops and maintains relationships with students, parents, teachers, other educational entity staff, and businesses or employers to ensure quality services for each student and provide information about Nebraska VR services.
• Attends Individual Educational Plan (IEP) meetings to gain understanding of student needs and update school staff on VR involvement.
• Records accurate documentation and case notes on all interaction with students to inform school staff and parents or guardians, as well as other VR staff.
• Maintains regular & reliable attendance, possesses a valid driver’s license and travels independently, and works in a variety of settings.
• For Rehabilitation Specialists: Prepares and approves cases for client eligibility, priority groups, job goal, and plan for employment by analyzing and synthesizing medical and psychological reports, social, education, and employment information. Develops, manages, and approves Individualized Plans for Employment (IPEs), and employment outcome determinations.

Requirements / Qualifications

• Service Specialist: Bachelor’s degree in a related field and at least one year of work experience related to the essential functions of the position.
• Rehabilitation Specialist: Master’s degree with emphasis in one of the following areas: Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling, Counseling and Guidance, or another field that reasonably provides competence in the employment sector, in a disability field, or both.
• Preferred Qualifications: Experience working with, and advocating for, people with disabilities. Experience working with high school students and understanding of secondary school systems. Ability to manage high volume of cases and provide case management services while collaborating with teachers and other school staff. Bilingual in English/ Spanish.

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.

Pay

The available salary rate for this position is dependent on education and is based upon available budget funds; any offer will be made at this rate.

• Service Specialist: Bachelor’s degree – Pay Grade 5: $25.603/hour
• Rehabilitation Specialist: Master’s degree – Pay Grade 7: $30.979/hour

Schedule

This position requires approximately 40% of work time spent in an office environment; the remaining 60% is spent traveling or working in alternative sites within the community. Employees may be asked, within reason, to use their own personal vehicles for travel. There is also approximately 2 days of overnight travel per year.