Senior Rehabilitation Specialist

State of Missouri; Missouri; On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Missouri seeks a Senior Rehabilitation Specialist (Job Development Specialist) to advance employment opportunities for blind and visually impaired individuals. Base location is negotiable; positions listed in Springfield and Kansas City, MO, with statewide impact.

The role includes training counselors, engaging employers, and coordinating statewide job listings while ensuring ADA compliance and effective placement strategies. Competitive benefits and professional growth offered.

Qualifications

• Two years of professional experience in rehabilitation counseling, job placement, rehabilitation teaching, or related areas.
• Substitution: graduate study may replace one year of experience on a year-for-year basis.
• E.g. experience in public or private rehabilitation agencies for blind and visually impaired persons may count toward eligibility.

Responsibilities

• Develops employment opportunities for blind and visually impaired individuals across the state.
• Trains vocational rehabilitation counselors in placement contacts and job-seeking skills.
• Provides information to employers about accommodations and ADA considerations.

Skills

Job development

Employer relations

Training delivery

Education

Accredited four-year college or university degree (specialization in job placement, rehabilitation counseling, rehabilitation teaching, counseling and guidance, behavioral sciences, education, business or public administration)

Job description

The Family Support Division, Rehabilitation Services for the Blind, is seeking applications for the position of a Senior Rehabilitation Specialist (Job Development Specialist). The base location for this position is negotiable dependent on the selected applicant and office capacity.

See below the base locations:

• 149 Park Central Sq., Room 640, Springfield, Missouri 65806 (Greene County)
• 615 E. 13th St. Room 409, Kansas City, Missouri 64106 (Jackson County)

This is professional work in the Family Support Division/Rehabilitation Services for the Blind in developing employment opportunities for blind and visually impaired individuals and in providing in-service training to agency staff in the area of job placement skills.

Skills

An employee in this class is responsible for the development of employment opportunities at all levels of employment for blind and visually impaired individuals throughout the state. Work also includes training vocational rehabilitation counselors in methods of working with prospective employers and in how to instruct clients in job seeking skills. Employees exercise independence in the formulation of procedures and performance of work, however, unusual problems and matters affecting general policy are referred to the supervisor. Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Surveys placement possibilities for individuals who are blind and visually impaired in various occupations, analyzing specific processes to determine the adaptations required and demonstrates to employers how these adaptations would be completed.
• Develops employment opportunities for individuals who are blind and visually impaired in all areas of the state through employer contacts.
• Provides training for vocational rehabilitation counselors in making effective placement contacts and in developing employment opportunities and job seeking skills.
• Serves as resource for vocational rehabilitation counselors on employment possibilities and in the preparation of rehabilitation plans for individuals.
• Provides employers with descriptions and demonstrations of available equipment that allow for individuals who are blind and visually impaired to perform job duties traditionally thought to require sight.
• Works with employers to provide information regarding the abilities of individuals who are blind and visually impaired
• Serves as a resource to employers regarding employer responsibilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
• Establishes an automated statewide listing of available jobs for individuals who are blind and visually impaired.
• Analyzes difficulties experienced by individuals who are blind and visually impaired seeking employment and makes recommendations for solving the problems presented.
• Maintains necessary case records and employer contact files.
• Performs other related work as assigned.

Two years of professional experience in rehabilitation counseling, job placement, rehabilitation teaching, vocational counseling and guidance, employment services for individuals with disabilities or related areas; and graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with specialization in job placement, rehabilitation counseling, rehabilitation teaching, counseling and guidance, behavioral sciences, education, business or public administration or related areas.

(Graduate study in the areas listed above may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for one year of the stated experience.)

OR One year of experience in a public or private rehabilitation agency for blind and visually impaired persons or in the Family Support Division/Rehabilitation Services for the Blind at or above the level of Rehabilitation Counselor for the Blind II, Rehabilitation Teacher for the Blind, or Area Coordinator, Business Enterprises for the Blind.

Individual(s) selected for this position may receive a higher rate based on a pay differential (e.g. shift, or time-of-service pay).

Recruitment Area: Accepting applications from all qualified applicants.

The State of Missouri is an equal opportunity employer.

The State of Missouri offers an excellent benefits package that includes a defined pension plan, generous amounts of leave and holiday time, and eligibility for health insurance coverage. Your total compensation is more than the dollars you receive in your paycheck. To help demonstrate the value of working for the State of Missouri, we have created an interactive Total Compensation Calculator. This tool provides a comprehensive view of benefits and more that are offered to prospective employees. The Total Compensation Calculator and other applicant resources can be found here.

[e-mail]