Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist II - ASL Required Frederick - DHHU

About the role

The Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Specialist provides services to increase employment and advancement opportunities for individuals with disabilities. The Specialist assists consumers so that they may maintain, prepare for and obtain gainful employment consistent with their interest, skills, capacities, strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, and informed choices. The Specialist position ensures the application of federal and state regulations and division policy, completes initial interviews, determines applicant eligibility for services, determines the nature and scope of services necessary to address disability barriers, addresses employment readiness, and ensures identified services are provided and/or coordinated with various partners. This position will serve deaf and hard of hearing consumers in Region I. This Specialist must be fluent in American Sign Language.

Responsibilities

• Coordinates services to assist deaf and hard of hearing consumers in preparing for or obtaining employment.
• Determines eligibility of vocational rehabilitation services.
• Provides individual career counseling to deaf and hard of hearing consumers.
• Reviews medical, psychological and vocational records to evaluate the nature and extent of the disability.
• Obtains services from other community agencies for deaf and hard of hearing consumers.
• Provides job placement, post-employment, and follow-up services.
• Apply federal/state regulations, as well as DORS policies and procedures, regarding eligibility for vocational rehabilitation or Pre-ETS program.

Qualifications

Education: Possession of a Bachelor's degree.

Experience: Two years of professional experience in a behavioral or social science-related field or one year of professional experience as a Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist I providing rehabilitation counseling or vocational evaluation services to clients with physical or behavioral disabilities, or teaching services to clients with partial or total visual impairment.

Note: A master's degree and one year of experience in a behavioral or social science-related field may be substituted for two years of the required experience.

Selective qualification

• Must be fluent in American Sign Language

Preferred qualifications

• Professional experience working with the deaf or hard of hearing population.
• Using an electronic case management system.
• Experience in a Human Services field.
• Experience providing career counseling.
• Skill in adaptive and assistive technologies.

Pay

Grade ASTD15

Schedule

Hybrid schedule may be available after completion of training (up to 3 telework days permitted each week)

Benefits

STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS