Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist

March of Dimes; Langford; On-site; CAD 52,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

March of Dimes is seeking a Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist to support people with disabilities facing employment barriers. You will assess eligibility, conduct intake, and develop employment plans, coordinating services and monitoring progress.

A hybrid role in Langford, BC combines in-office collaboration with field opportunities. The role emphasizes motivation assessment, labour market research, and collaboration with referral sources to achieve vocational goals.

Qualifications

• Diploma in a related field with demonstrated experience working with service users who are seeking employment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, Windows; database skills are a plus.

Responsibilities

• Assess and explore vocational options with service users; develop detailed employment plans.
• Manage case progress, document evidence and address barriers to success.
• Coordinate program administration and ensure confidential service user records.
• Purchase and manage services, monitor progress and report outcomes.
• Communicate with service users and referral sources to align goals.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Organizational skills

Problem-solving

Negotiation

Bilingualism

Education

Diploma in related field

Registered Rehabilitation Professional (asset)

Tools

MS Word

Excel

Windows

Database skills

Job description

BASIC FUNCTION:

The Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist provides support to people with disabilities who face employment barriers. They accept referrals from various sources and oversee assessment and vocational exploration to help service users identify multiple viable career goals. This role involves evaluating service user’s motivation and disability-related employment challenges, offering supportive measures to promote their success. The specialist creates detailed employment plans outlining the steps needed to achieve vocational goals and manages the selection and purchase of necessary services. Additionally, they case manage and monitor client progress, address issues, and develop solutions to prevent setbacks or failure.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Assessment & Vocational Exploration

• Confirm referral details, objectives, and eligibility criteria.
• Communicate guidelines and expectations clearly, orient new users to the program, conduct intake interviews and complete required forms.
• Perform a comprehensive evaluation covering:
• 1. Physical and psychomotor capacities
• 2. Intellectual abilities
• 3. Emotional stability
• 4. Interests and aptitudes
• 5. Personal, work, and social history
• 6. Work skills and tolerance
• 7. Transferable skills
• 8. Work habits and barriers
• 9. Job-seeking skills
• 10. Potential for other services and needed adaptive aids
• Use various assessment methods, including interviews, questionnaires, self-assessments, and work trials to assess and to gauge motivation.
• Conduct labour market research to assess job availability and target wages.
• Build relationships with service users to assess their motivation and eagerness to enter the workforce.
• Discuss goals, target labour markets, and other relevant factors.
• Interpret and communicate assessment results and vocational options to service users.
• Develop the employment plan collaboratively with the service user and referral source, ensuring timely completion.

Case Management & Reporting

• Develop employment plans with Service Users, meeting referral source requirements and deadlines
• Purchase services for service users and ensure external services are effective and cost-efficient.
• Monitor progress, document evidence, and address barriers.
• Provide or coordinate counseling and professional support as needed.
• Complete reports as per MODC and referral source requirements.
• Communicate effectively with service users and referral sources.

Program Administration

• Integrate feedback into service delivery with guidance from the Employment Services Manager.
• Address complaints promptly and maintain comprehensive, confidential service user records.
• Adhere to MODC and contract data requirements.
• Foster effective communication and teamwork while following MODC policies and professional standards.
• Manage programs, workload, and work area safely and constructively handle change.
• Follow Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) laws, regulations, and MODC policies.
• Complete required mandatory training and stay updated on vocational rehabilitation developments and/or continuing education credits as required.
• Adhere to Occupational Health & Safety laws, March of Dimes Canada policies, funder mandates, and government regulations.
• Work safely, report hazards and injuries to a supervisor

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Diploma in a related field with demonstrated experience working with service users who are seeking employment
• Registered Rehabilitation Professional, or equivalent certification is an asset
• Two years in job placement and vocational rehabilitation is preferred.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, Windows; database skills are a plus.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving abilities.
• Effective negotiation skills.
• Sensitivity to barriers faced by individuals with disabilities.
• Ability to complete internal training (e.g., case management).
• Bilingualism in both official languages is an asset.
• In-depth knowledge of local labor markets.

Important Details:

• Salary: $58,000 per annum
• Full-time role
• Hybrid role: The successful candidate will need to be in the Langford office a few days a week