Vocational Development Specialist

DC Government; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 54,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

The District of Columbia Government's Department of Human Services, Office of Performance Monitoring, seeks a vocational rehabilitation caseworker to interview clients, assess needs, and coordinate services that foster job readiness and placement within the ESA.

The role involves counseling, training, and collaboration with community partners to address barriers to employment and support financial independence.

Qualifications

• Undergrad/grad education in vocational rehab, vocational counseling, or related fields.
• Or specialized experience directly related to vocational rehab for the disabled or disadvantaged.
• Examples include identifying resources and guiding clients to services.

Responsibilities

• Interviews and assesses customers to determine services and supports.
• Provides training programs, counsels and motivates individuals, assists job readiness.
• Coordinates with community partners to address barriers to employment and supports.
• Manages follow-up and placement services to help financial independence.

Education

Vocational Rehab Education

Job description

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The mission of the D.C. Department of Human Services is to provide meaningful and equitable services, supports, and access to resources for District residents to realize their goals. This position is located in the Office of Performance Monitoring (OPM), within the Economic Security Administration (ESA), Department of Human Services (DHS).

Duties and Responsibilities

Interviews and assesses customers to obtain information on vocational, educational, environmental, social, family development, and behavioral health history to determine appropriate services and support to meet the customer's individual needs. Provides training programs; counsels and motivates identified individuals and assists them in adjusting successfully to the training or work situations; conducts follow- up and post-closure services to enhance job readiness; manages case through the coordination of services for identified individuals; and provides job readiness and placement services.

Works closely with community partnerships such as community-based organizations, governmental agencies, TANF Employment Providers, landlords, emergency shelter staff, and others, on barrier remediation intervention issues such as homeless services, behavioral health, children's education, family engagement, and financial support. Evaluates information and its relationship and impact on customers' current potential vocational and educational status. Determines when supplemental supports are needed to address customers overall success toward financial independence and arranges for such training.

Qualifications and Education

Undergraduate and Graduate Education: Major study - vocational rehabilitation, vocational or educational counseling, or other fields related to the position.

OR

Specialized experience is experience which is directly related to the position and has equipped the individual with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position.To be creditable, one (1) year of specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression.Examples of Specialized Experience is experience that demonstrated knowledge of the vocational rehabilitation problems characteristic of the disabled, including familiarity with available resources and skill in identifying, evaluating, and making effective use of such resources to serve individuals with disabilities; or of the disadvantaged, including knowledge of adjustment problems of the educationally or culturally disadvantaged, familiarity with available adult education and training resources, and ability to recognize problem areas needing special attention.

Licenses and Certifications

None

Working Conditions/Environment

Work is performed in a normal office setting.

Other Significant Facts

Tour of Duty: Monday – Friday; 8:15 AM – 4:45 PM

Pay Plan, Series and Grade: CS-1715-11

Promotion Potential: None

Collective Bargaining Unit: This position is covered under a collective bargaining agreement represented by AFSCME 2401 and you may be required to pay an agency service fee through direct payroll deduction.

Emergency Designation: This position has been designated as Emergency.Employees occupying positions designated as Emergency are required to:

Provide advice, recommendations, and/or specific functional support necessary for the continuity of operations during a declared emergency.

Remain at their duty station, or alternate work location (approved by their supervisor), if activated, when a situation or condition occurs and results in early dismissal for nonessential/non-emergency employees.

Report to their duty station, when activated, on time and as scheduled when a situation or condition occurs during non-work hours, and results in the late arrival or closing of District government offices for non-essential/non-emergency employees.

Telework during a declared emergency, instead of remaining or reporting to his or her duty station, if directed by the agency head (or designee), supervisor or manager.

Position Designation: This position has been designated as security sensitive therefore the incumbent of this position will be subject to enhanced suitability screening pursuant to Chapter 4 of DC Personnel Regulations, Suitability and as such, incumbents of this position shall be subject to criminal background checks, background investigations, and mandatory drug and alcohol testing, as applicable.

EEO Statement

The District of Columbia Government does not discriminate or retaliate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, gender identity and expression, national origin, family responsibilities, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, homeless status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, participation in a legally protected activity, parental status, matriculation, personal appearance, credit information, status as a victim or family member of a victim of domestic violence, sexual offense, or stalking, military service, or other non‑merit factor.