VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION COUNSELOR 3

About the role

The Department of Employment, Training & Rehabilitation is recruiting for Rehabilitation Counselor 3 vacancies in the Carson City area. The Rehabilitation Counselor 3 makes eligibility decisions for program services; provides eligible individuals with sufficient counseling and guidance to assist them to complete an adequate assessment of vocational needs; develops Individual Plans for Employment (IPE); manages cases in a manner that ensures timely case movement and delivery of services; ensures that accurate case documentation is in case files; ensures case expenditures are appropriate; completes required actions with sufficient written documentation and justification as needed to obtain the required number of employment outcomes. The incumbent will also act as a mentor to the Rehabilitation Counselor 2, handle challenging cases, and participate in special projects as assigned by their supervisor/management.

Responsibilities

• Manage the caseload budget; project and authorize expenditures to assess applicants and meet client needs for physical and mental restoration, training or other vocational rehabilitation services; establish priorities of case spending; track caseload expenses according to prevailing federal, State and agency policies and guidelines; identify and utilize other available financial resources to maximize the use of agency funds.
• Interview applicants to establish case histories to include family background, social characteristics, education, work experience, health history and financial status; identify appropriate diagnostics, consultations, medical and psychological records needed to determine eligibility or ineligibility; schedule applicants for medical, psychological and vocational assessments; make referrals to other social services as appropriate.
• Analyze data gathered to establish the existence of a disabling condition; determine physical and psychological limitations which are impediments to employment; determine the applicants’ need for, and ability to benefit from, vocational rehabilitation services to obtain employment for eligibility purposes and plan development.
• Determine and document ineligibility based on clear and convincing evidence which may include trial work periods.
• Assess vocational rehabilitation needs of clients; identify medical, psychological, social, vocational, educational and other needs including unique strengths, resources, priorities and interests.
• Develop an IPE; determine a realistic vocational goal with the informed choice of clients; identify specific intermediate objectives and strategies; determine evaluation criteria and schedules; identify service providers and coordinate service delivery; evaluate the effectiveness of services provided; ensure clients utilize available benefits and entitlements; provide required services; review and modify goals and strategies as needed.
• Provide ongoing service coordination and advocacy on behalf of clients to facilitate the IPE; perform a variety of counseling to include adjustment, family, individual and group, and career and job readiness counseling; coordinate job placement services.
• Assess job readiness; provide job seeking skills training; develop job placement resources by contacting local employers and private vendors to become familiar with the job market; provide information to local employers regarding agency program goals and State and federal employment incentives; advise and assist employers with appropriate work station modification to accommodate specific disabilities; provide on-the-job training, supportive work, selective job placement and follow-up.
• Consult with doctors, psychologists, therapists, prosthesis manufacturers, hospital staffs and dentists to plan and coordinate delivery of physical and mental restoration services; refer clients to training programs in high schools, universities, vocational schools and arrange for mobility and independent living instruction as appropriate; authorize and monitor vocational assessment and vocational adjustment services to evaluate clients' physical and mental limitations, level of vocational functioning, attitude, motivation and work tolerance; consult with coworkers and service providers such as social workers, veterans' representatives and school officials to coordinate areas of overlapping services.
• Maintain case files and document all activities and expenditures to include development of IPE, progress notations, correspondence, diagnostic and evaluative reports, case histories and budget status reports; collect, analyze, and report statistical and budget data related to caseloads.
• Represent client and agency interests by attending meetings and community events and interacting with employers, other agencies, members of the community and local facilities and institutions; serve on committees and agency staffing to explore issues that impact the agency and its clientele.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Master's degree from an accredited university in vocational rehabilitation counseling, health or social sciences, business administration, education, or closely related field, and two years of professional experience in vocational rehabilitation counseling which included making eligibility, ineligibility and employment outcome determinations by applying federal, state and agency regulations, policies and procedures for a public vocational rehabilitation program; negotiating and resolving conflicts; and performing community outreach public relations activities for an assigned program; OR
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in vocational rehabilitation counseling, health or social sciences, business administration, education, or closely related field and three years of professional experience as described above; OR
• One year of experience as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor II in Nevada State service; OR
• An equivalent combination of education and experience above the Bachelor's degree level as described above.

Qualifications

• Master's degree from an accredited university in vocational rehabilitation counseling, health or social sciences, business administration, education, or closely related field, and two years of professional experience in vocational rehabilitation counseling which included making eligibility, ineligibility and employment outcome determinations by applying federal, state and agency regulations, policies and procedures for a public vocational rehabilitation program; negotiating and resolving conflicts; and performing community outreach public relations activities for an assigned program; OR
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in vocational rehabilitation counseling, health or social sciences, business administration, education, or closely related field and three years of professional experience as described above; OR
• One year of experience as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor II in Nevada State service; OR
• An equivalent combination of education and experience above the Bachelor's degree level as described above.

Skills

• Working knowledge of: federal, State and agency regulations, policies, procedures and programs; provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Workforce Investment and Opportunity Act; strategies for negotiation and conflict resolution.
• General knowledge of: marketing strategies and techniques for vocational rehabilitation services.
• Ability to: function effectively in a public relations role to include public speaking in order to foster community understanding of disability issues.

Benefits

• Health Insurance: Medical, dental, life, and disability insurance programs for employees and their dependents/family are offered through the Public Employees’ Benefits Program (PEBP).
• Vacation: Accrual of three weeks of annual leave each year.
• Sick Leave: Accrual of three weeks of sick leave each year.
• Holidays: 12 paid holidays per year.
• Retirement: Participation in the Nevada Public Employees Retirement System (PERS).
• Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC): Available to eligible employees.
• Deferred Compensation: The State offers a voluntary Deferred Compensation Program.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness: Eligible due to public sector employment.
• Longevity Payments Eligibility: Employees who have received a performance rating of “standard” or better and have completed eight (8) or more years of continuous service are eligible for longevity pay.

Pay

Salary range: $67,000 - $85,000 annually, commensurate with experience.

Schedule

Full-time, 40 hours per week.