Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor

Position Summary & Responsibilities

The Kansas Department for Children and Families is hiring innovators and leaders to support individuals with disabilities in achieving employment as the avenue to self-sufficiency, independence, inclusion, economic equality, and integration into society. The position supports individuals with disabilities to identify their job-related goals and develop individual plans for employment. The counselor provides or purchases a comprehensive variety of services, including training, physical/mental restoration, assistive technology, supported employment, and job placement. This position also provides significant counseling and guidance to help persons served identify their strengths and abilities; adjust to disability; exercise informed choice; maintain progress through their individual plans; and understand labor market trends and employment opportunities.

Qualifications

• Education: A bachelor’s degree in a field of study reasonably related to vocational rehabilitation, indicating a level of competency and skill demonstrating basic preparation in a field such as vocational rehabilitation counseling, social work, psychology, disability studies, business administration, human resources, special education, supported employment, customized employment, economics, or another field that reasonably prepares individuals to work with consumers and employers. Demonstrated paid or unpaid experience, for not less than one year, consisting of—(i) Direct work with individuals with disabilities in a setting such as an independent living center; (ii) Direct service or advocacy activities that provide such individual with experience and skills in working with individuals with disabilities; or (iii) Direct experience in competitive integrated employment environments as an employer, as a small business owner or operator, or in self-employment, or other experience in human resources or recruitment, or experience in supervising employees, training, or other activities.
• Additional education requirement for minimum Standards: Candidates selected under the Minimum Standards will be required to complete additional graduate level courses within five years of their employment start date, as follows: (minimum of SEVEN graduate courses): Priority to complete: ONE integrated OR TWO separate graduate courses with the primary focus on Theories of Counseling AND Techniques of Counseling; Priority to complete (medical and psychosocial aspects): TWO with the individual or combined primary focus on 1) Medical Aspects of Disabilities; 2) Psychosocial Aspects of Disabilities; AND 3) Multicultural Issues; ONE on Foundations of Rehabilitation Counseling; ONE on Assessment; ONE on Occupational Information OR Job Placement; ONE on Case Management AND Rehabilitation Services.
• Standard #3: A master’s or doctorate degree in Counseling, Rehabilitation Psychology, Counseling Psychology, or Clinical Social Work plus the additional education requirements described below: or Standard #4: A master’s or doctorate in one of the following closely related fields, majors or disciplines plus the additional education requirements described below: Behavioral Health, Behavioral Science, Business Administration, Clinical Social Work, Counseling, Counseling Psychology, Disability Studies, Education, Human Relations, Human Resources, Human Services, Law, Management, Marriage and Family Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Psychology, Psychometrics, Public Administration, Rehabilitation Administration/Services, Rehabilitation Psychology, Social Work, Special Education, Vocational Assessment/Evaluation. Additional education requirements for Standard #3 and #4: Candidates selected under Standards 3 and 4 will be required to complete additional graduate level courses within three years of their employment start date, as follows: One integrated or two separate courses in the Theories of Counseling and the Techniques of Counseling; and One integrated or two separate courses in the Medical Aspects of Disability and the Psychosocial Aspects of Disability.

Qualifications

• Minimum Qualifications: A valid Driver License throughout employment.

Post-Offer, Pre-employment Requirements

• Security Clearance: A background check (KBI - criminal background, welfare fraud, driver's license and Child/Adult Abuse and Neglect Central Registry) is required for all positions with the Department for Children and Families (DCF) as a condition of employment, which may include fingerprinting and FBI check. Security clearance must be obtained prior to employment with DCF. Must maintain security clearance throughout employment.
• Kansas Tax Clearance Certificate: A valid Kansas Tax Clearance Certificate is a condition of employment for all employees of the State of Kansas. Applicants (including non-residents) who receive a formal job offer for a State job, are required to obtain a valid Tax Clearance within ten (10) days of the job offer. A Tax Clearance can be obtained through the Kansas Department of Revenue who reviews individual accounts for compliance with Kansas Tax Law.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The State of Kansas is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, political affiliation, disability or any other factor unrelated to the essential functions of the job. If you wish to identify yourself as a qualified person with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and would like to request an accommodation, please address the request to the agency recruiter.