DSHS DVR Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services; Wenatchee (WA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services DVR seeks a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor 1-3 in Training to support students, youth, and adults with disabilities in achieving employment goals.

You will learn to assess needs, arrange testing, and help participants develop an Employment Plan while collaborating with providers and employers in the community.

Qualifications

• CRCC certification or relevant master’s degree with supervised VR coursework.
• Legal eligibility determination and case management experience.
• Knowledge of disability-related barriers to employment and VR practices.
• Ability to coordinate with healthcare and employment partners.

Responsibilities

• Learn to manage a caseload of 50-110 DVR participants.
• Determine eligibility for vocational rehabilitation services.
• Provide counseling and support to participants.
• Conduct assessments to identify disability-related barriers.
• Interpret diagnostic results to inform VR planning.
• Assist participants in developing an Individual Plan for Employment and monitor progress.

Skills

Medical knowledge

Psychological aspects

Labor market information

Assistive technology

Job modifications

Counseling techniques

Education

CRCC certification

Master's in rehabilitation counseling

Bachelor's with master's progress plan

Job description

Description

DVR Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor 1-3 In Training in Wenatchee The job of Vocational Rehabilitation Counseloris suited for the person that has a commitment to the economic prosperity of students, youth and adults with disabilities who are seeking good-paying jobs and advancement in their careers. You provide vocational rehabilitation counseling and case management services to assist people with disabilities in obtaining and maintaining employment. Join the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) and our hard-working team of professionals as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor 1-3 in Training.

Some Of What You Will Be Doing

• You will learn to serve a caseload of 50-110 DVR participants
• Determine each participant's eligibility for vocational rehabilitation services necessary to achieve their employment goal
• Provide vocational rehabilitation counseling and support
• Conduct comprehensive assessments of participant needs identifying the disability-related barriers to employment that require VR services
• Arrange and interpret results of diagnostic testing and other vocational rehabilitation assessment tools; obtain benefit reports and interpret results to assist and counsel participants
• Assist participants in developing and implementing an Individual Plan for Employment and monitor progress toward completion of employment goals
• Maintain close working relationships with those who jointly serve DVR participants; promote DVR programs to the public and employers and conduct outreach in the community to share information about DVR services
• Lead group orientations, workshops, and related activities to facilitate informed choices and prepare participants for employment

Who should apply

• 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 people with disabilities)
• Or a master's degree with at least 18 quarter or 12 semester credit hours of rehabilitation counseling courses, plus 6 months of paid/unpaid vocational counseling, job placement, vocational assessment, or other areas of rehabilitation counseling experience

Or

• Bachelor's degree in vocational rehabilitation counseling or reasonably related field, and accepted or enrolled in a rehabilitation counseling or related master's program that will be completed within two years, plus one year paid/unpaid experience consisting of:
• Direct work with people with disabilities in a setting such as an independent living center
• Or direct service or advocacy activities that provide you with experience and skills in working with persons with disabilities
• Or direct experience as an employer, as a small business owner or operator, or in self-employment, or other experience in education, human resources, recruiting, or experience in supervising employees, training, or other activities that provide experience in integrated employment environments or in areas that assist others find employment (i.e. WorkSource)

If you are currently enrolled (or accepted to an accredited vocational rehab master’s program), you may qualify for tuition reimbursement. Please discuss this at the time of interview.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Apply technical knowledge of medical and psychological aspects of disabling conditions, labor market information, transferable skills evaluations, assistive technology, and job modifications
• Assist participants in exercising informed choices to make collaborative decisions that are consistent with appropriate vocational rehabilitation practice
• Support participants in developing a wide variety of social, educational, and financial resources to reach their employment goals by applying multiple counseling techniques to meet the varied needs of participants
• Manage multiple and competing priorities within prescribed time limits
• Negotiate with vendors and collaborate with other rehabilitation professionals

The goal class for this role described above is for a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor 3 . We may consider applicants at the VRC1 or VRC2 level, with a training plan to advance to a VRC3. Education and experience are the difference between qualifications at each level and evaluated by the hiring team. Starting salary depends on your qualifications. Thoroughly submitted application documents will assist in determining your experience and education in this area.

Questions?

Please contact Grant Grady at [e-mail] and reference project number 06267.

The Department of Social and Health Services’ (DSHS) vision that people find human services to shape their own 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 vision that you bring a fairness, access, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to support all Washingtonians, 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.

Relationship and Reporting Structure (Neb) Disclosure

If you are selected for hire, you must disclose whether you have a relative, household member, close friend, or romantic partner within your potential supervisory chain of command. DSHS has a Relationships and the Reporting Structure policy that prohibits nepotism and can be reviewed here . Applicants whose appointment would result in a prohibited reporting relationship are not eligible for appointment to that position.

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.

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