DSHS DVR Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor

State of Washington; Wenatchee (WA); On-site; USD 58,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

DSHS - Division of Vocational Rehabilitation in Washington state is seeking a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor 1-3 in Training to support students, youth and adults with disabilities toward meaningful employment.

You will manage a caseload, assess eligibility, provide counseling, conduct assessments, arrange testing, and help develop an Individual Plan for Employment while partnering with employers and community organizations. Starting salary is dependent on qualifications.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to manage a caseload of DVR participants and determine eligibility for services.
• Provide vocational rehabilitation counseling and support to participants.
• Conduct comprehensive assessments to identify barriers to employment.
• Arrange and interpret diagnostic testing and benefit reports for counseling.
• Assist participants in developing an Individual Plan for Employment and monitor progress.
• Maintain outreach and collaboration with DVR partners and employers.

Responsibilities

• Learn to serve a caseload of 50-110 DVR participants.
• Determine eligibility for vocational rehabilitation services.
• Provide counseling and support for employment goals.
• Conduct assessments to identify disability-related barriers to employment.
• Arrange/testing interpretion of results for VR services.
• Help develop and monitor an Employment Plan.
• Engage community and employers to promote DVR services.
• Lead orientations and workshops.

Skills

Case management

Counseling

Assessments

Outreach

Group facilitation

Vendor negotiation

Job description

Description

The job of Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor is 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.

We are seeking motivated people committed to providing vocational rehabilitation services to clients with disabilities.

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

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.

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.