Description

• Provide vocational rehabilitation counseling to deliver vocational rehabilitation services to a caseload of 50-110 customers with varying types of disabilities that are barriers to employment
• Develop an effective VR counseling relationship that is responsive to the unique needs of each customer and necessary to achieve their employment goal
• Determine customer eligibility for DVR services by obtaining and analyzing relevant medical information, and identifying the disability-related barriers to employment that require VR services
• Provide vocational rehabilitation counseling to support, guide, and foster customers' insight and understanding of their strengths, capabilities, and disability-related barriers to employment
• Arrange and interpret results of diagnostic testing and other vocational rehabilitation assessment tools
• Approve each customer's Individualized Plan for Employment, and revise or amend the plan when needed
• Manage and spend an allotment of case service funds to authorize and pay for vocational rehabilitation services required by customers
• Assess and support the client's progress throughout the rehabilitation process and addresses any newly identified disabilities or barriers to employment
• Close cases when customers achieve employment or are ineligible for DVR services, are no longer available or participating in DVR services, or request case closure

• Ability to apply technical knowledge of medical and psychological aspects of disabling conditions, labor market information, transferable skills analysis, assistive technology, job modifications
• Ability to assist customers in exercising informed choice to make collaborative decisions that are consistent with appropriate vocational rehabilitation practice.
• Ability to apply multiple counseling techniques to meet the varied needs of customers
• Ability to manage multiple and competing priorities within prescribed timeframes
• Ability to support customers in developing a wide variety of social, educational, and financial resources to reach their employment goals
• Preference will be granted to applicants who are fluent in American Sign Language (ASL)

• Current Certification as a Rehabilitation Counselor by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC)
• Or, a Master's degree in rehabilitation counseling, psychology, counseling, or a field related to vocational rehabilitation (such as one that promotes the physical, psychosocial, or vocational well-being of persons with disabilities)
• Or, a Master's degree with at least 18 quarter or 12 semester credit hours specified as follows:

• 
  One graduate course with a primary focus on the Theories and Techniques of Counseling

And
2. Three graduate courses, each with a primary focus on one of the following areas:
a. Occupational Information
b. Job Development and Placement
c. Medical Aspects of Disabilities
d. Foundations of Rehabilitation
e. Psychological Aspects of Disabilities
f. Personal and Vocational Adjustment, and
3. Two graduate courses, each with a primary focus on one of the following areas:
a. Assessment
b. Research Methodology
c. Vocational and Career Development
d. Community Resources
e. Case Management
f. Delivery of Rehabilitation Services,

OR

A Bachelor’s degree in a field of study reasonably related to vocational rehabilitation,
AND
At least one year of paid or unpaid experience, consisting of:
a) direct work with individuals with disabilities in a setting such as an independent living center;
b) direct service or advocacy activities that provide such individuals with experience and skills in working with individuals with disabilities; or
c) direct experience as an employer, as a small business owner or operator, or in self-employment, or other experience in human resources, recruitment, or experience in supervising employees, training, or other activities that provide experience in competitive integrated employment environments.
Incumbents must be currently accepted or enrolled in an accredited graduate school to obtain one of the Master’s degrees specified below). Upon obtaining one of these degrees or Certification as a Rehabilitation Counselor by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC).

The goal class for this role is Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor 3. We may consider applicants at the VRC1 or 2 levels, with a training plan to advance to a VRC3. The VRC1 will promote to a VRC2 based on successful completion of the VRC1 Training Plan, the VRC2 will promote directly to a VRC3 if they have three years’ qualifying experience. Experience and education are the difference between qualifications at each level and will be evaluated by the hiring team.

Click here for a complete list of alternate desirable qualifications. Starting salary depends on your qualifications.

Please include the following materials:

• A letter of interest
• Resume
• Provide as attachments: proof of acceptance or enrollment in a rehabilitation counseling or related master's program and bachelor's degree transcript/coursework OR master's degree diploma and complete transcript of coursework OR CRCC certificate.

Our Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) mission to Transform Lives requires that we come together with a sense of belonging, common purpose, shared values, and meaningful work. It is crucial to our agency’s mission that you bring equity, anti-racism, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to create greater access and affirming representation of the communities we serve, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, people with physical, behavioral health, and intellectual disabilities, elders, LGBTQIA+ individuals, immigrants and refugees, and families building financial security.

NOTE:

Employees of the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. Any offer of employment is contingent upon verification of your vaccine status. Please note medical or religious accommodation may be available once an offer of employment is made.

Questions? Please contact DSHS Recruiter by email and reference #04136.

Supplemental Information

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history may be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the job. This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver's license. Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle.

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any area of employment, its programs or services on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, marital status, race, creed, color, national origin, religion or beliefs, political affiliation, military status, honorably discharged veteran, Vietnam Era, recently separated or other protected veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, equal pay or genetic information. Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruiter at (360) 725-5810. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.

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