Vocational Evaluator

JVS; East Orange (NJ); On-site; USD 55,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

JVS is seeking a Vocational Evaluator to conduct comprehensive assessments for individuals with disabilities, developing objective employment recommendations and timely reports. The role requires strong written and interpersonal skills, plus travel to various evaluation locations in New Jersey.

Responsibilities include coordinating with counselors, schools, and partners, using standardized tools, and ensuring compliance with confidentiality and program requirements.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling, vocational evaluation, counseling, psychology, special education, social work, or a related field.
• Experience conducting vocational assessments or evaluations and working with individuals with disabilities.
• Knowledge of vocational assessment instruments, evaluation methodologies, career development, and vocational rehabilitation practices.
• Strong written communication skills with the ability to prepare clear, objective, and comprehensive evaluation reports.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with participants, NJDVRS counselors, schools, community organizations, and other professionals.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple evaluations and meet required documentation deadlines.
• Ability to maintain confidential records and comply with applicable program, funding, and regulatory requirements.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel to JVS, community, school, and other evaluation locations as required.

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive vocational evaluations using interviews, standardized assessments, interest and aptitude measures, academic assessments, work samples, situational observations, and other appropriate evaluation tools.
• Assess participants’ vocational interests, skills, abilities, work behaviors, functional capabilities, employment preferences, transferable skills, support needs, and barriers to employment.
• Provide reasonable accommodations and modify evaluation methods as appropriate to ensure assessments are accessible and responsive to individual needs.
• Observe and document participant performance, including attendance, punctuality, productivity, task comprehension, work quality, interpersonal skills, communication, response to supervision, and ability to learn new tasks.
• Incorporate participant choice, informed decision-making, cultural considerations, and individual preferences throughout the evaluation process.
• Use current labor-market information to evaluate occupational goals and identify appropriate employment opportunities, career pathways, training programs, accommodations, and supportive services.
• Conduct community-based or situational vocational assessments when authorized and appropriate.
• Prepare comprehensive evaluation reports summarizing assessment results, observations, participant input, vocational implications, and individualized recommendations.
• Complete evaluation reports and submit required documentation to referral sources within contractual timelines, generally within two weeks of completing the evaluation unless otherwise specified.
• Ensure recommendations are objective, supported by evaluation findings, and responsive to the referral questions and participant’s vocational goals.
• Maintain complete, accurate, timely, and confidential participant records in SetWorks and other required systems, including participant contacts, assessments, accommodations, case consultations, services, and outcomes.
• Maintain assessment protocols, scoring records, consent forms, authorizations, reports, testing materials, and related documentation in accordance with JVS confidentiality, security, and record-retention requirements.
• Track evaluation authorizations and due dates and promptly communicate circumstances that may affect timely completion of services or reports.
• Collaborate with referral sources, schools, rehabilitation professionals, JVS staff, and community partners to coordinate referrals, services, resources, and participant supports.
• Provide vocational guidance based on evaluation findings to assist participants in identifying realistic employment and training goals.
• Assist with grant and program reporting, including service data, progress updates, and outcome metrics.
• Participate in fee-for-service activities and other program initiatives supporting successful employment outcomes.
• Maintain knowledge of vocational evaluation practices, applicable regulations, contractual requirements, and professional standards through ongoing training and professional development.
• Perform other duties consistent with program and organizational needs.

Skills

Written communication

Interpersonal skills

Time management

Travel

Documentation

Assessment administration

Education

Master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling, vocational evaluation, counseling, psychology, special education, social work, or related field

Job description

Job Title: Vocational Evaluator

Department: Disability Services

Reports to: Director of Vocational Rehabilitation Services

Location: Montclair & East Orange, New Jersey, with community travel as needed

Salary: $55,000 - $60,000

Job Overview

The Vocational Evaluator conducts comprehensive vocational evaluations for individuals with disabilities and other barriers to employment. Using interviews, standardized assessments, work samples, observations, and other appropriate evaluation methods, the evaluator identifies participants’ strengths, interests, abilities, employment preferences, support needs, and potential barriers to employment.

The Vocational Evaluator develops objective, individualized recommendations for employment, training, accommodations, supportive services, and vocational rehabilitation services; prepares timely evaluation reports; and collaborates with participants, NJDVRS counselors, schools, community partners, and the JVS service team. This is a grant-funded position.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive vocational evaluations using interviews, standardized assessments, interest and aptitude measures, academic assessments, work samples, situational observations, and other appropriate evaluation tools.
• Assess participants’ vocational interests, skills, abilities, work behaviors, functional capabilities, employment preferences, transferable skills, support needs, and barriers to employment.
• Provide reasonable accommodations and modify evaluation methods as appropriate to ensure assessments are accessible and responsive to individual needs.
• Observe and document participant performance, including attendance, punctuality, productivity, task comprehension, work quality, interpersonal skills, communication, response to supervision, and ability to learn new tasks.
• Incorporate participant choice, informed decision-making, cultural considerations, and individual preferences throughout the evaluation process.
• Use current labor-market information to evaluate occupational goals and identify appropriate employment opportunities, career pathways, training programs, accommodations, and supportive services.
• Conduct community-based or situational vocational assessments when authorized and appropriate.
• Prepare comprehensive evaluation reports summarizing assessment results, observations, participant input, vocational implications, and individualized recommendations.
• Complete evaluation reports and submit required documentation to referral sources within contractual timelines, generally within two weeks of completing the evaluation unless otherwise specified.
• Ensure recommendations are objective, supported by evaluation findings, and responsive to the referral questions and participant’s vocational goals.
• Maintain complete, accurate, timely, and confidential participant records in SetWorks and other required systems, including participant contacts, assessments, accommodations, case consultations, services, and outcomes.
• Maintain assessment protocols, scoring records, consent forms, authorizations, reports, testing materials, and related documentation in accordance with JVS confidentiality, security, and record-retention requirements.
• Track evaluation authorizations and due dates and promptly communicate circumstances that may affect timely completion of services or reports.
• Collaborate with referral sources, schools, rehabilitation professionals, JVS staff, and community partners to coordinate referrals, services, resources, and participant supports.
• Provide vocational guidance based on evaluation findings to assist participants in identifying realistic employment and training goals.
• Assist with grant and program reporting, including service data, progress updates, and outcome metrics.
• Participate in fee-for-service activities and other program initiatives supporting successful employment outcomes.
• Maintain knowledge of vocational evaluation practices, applicable regulations, contractual requirements, and professional standards through ongoing training and professional development.
• Perform other duties consistent with program and organizational needs.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling, vocational evaluation, counseling, psychology, special education, social work, or a related field.
• Experience conducting vocational assessments or evaluations and working with individuals with disabilities.
• Knowledge of vocational assessment instruments, evaluation methodologies, career development, and vocational rehabilitation practices.
• Strong written communication skills with the ability to prepare clear, objective, and comprehensive evaluation reports.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with participants, NJDVRS counselors, schools, community organizations, and other professionals.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple evaluations and meet required documentation deadlines.
• Ability to maintain confidential records and comply with applicable program, funding, and regulatory requirements.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel to JVS, community, school, and other evaluation locations as required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC), Certified Vocational Evaluation Specialist (CVE), or another relevant professional credential.