State of Connecticut Executive Branch

Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Specialist (40 Hour) (9154EQ)

$41.18-$54.26 Hourly / $3,294.14-$4,340.77 BiWeekly /
$85,977.00-$113,294.00 Yearly

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Aging and Disability Services, Bureau of Rehabilitation Services this class is accountable for performing the most complex duties related to locating, investigating and determining the eligibility of individuals with disabilities in need of vocational rehabilitation services.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Works independently with limited supervision of a Vocational Rehabilitation Supervisor or an employee of higher grade.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

May assist in the training and supervision of counselors of a lower grade.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

  • Performs all levels of professional rehabilitation services to individuals with disabilities presenting difficult and complex rehabilitation needs; 
  • Provides professional rehabilitation planning for and services to individuals with disabilities and rehabilitation needs; 
  • Actively locates, investigates and interviews individuals with disabilities to explain functions, services and eligibility requirements of the agency; 
  • Counsels individuals and assists in planning, selecting, preparing for and achieving a vocational goal; 
  • Obtains significant information from the individual and necessary information from schools, employers, Social Security Administration and other public and private agencies and medical facilities; 
  • Arranges for services within the agency or other community agencies; 
  • Provides consultative services to community agencies; 
  • Conducts presentations and speaks before lay and professional groups; 
  • Prepares written reports to document decisions and assesses vocational rehabilitation potential; 
  • Establishes community referral sources; 
  • Prepares case histories and other case records as components of a large sized caseload with signoff approval using an electronic system; 
  • Coordinates and delivers presentations; 
  • Performs at the supervisory level in the absence of the supervisor; 
  • Recommends training needs; 
  • May administer vocational tests; 
  • Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

  • Considerable knowledge of
    • the principles and techniques of vocational rehabilitation counseling and interviewing; 
    • community resources; 
    • disability and resulting functional limitation and medical terminology; 
  • Considerable
    • interpersonal skills; 
    • oral and written communication skills; 
  • Considerable ability to
    • gather, analyze and evaluate significant information pertinent to the rehabilitation of an individual; 
    • use innovative thinking and to take initiative in resolving difficult rehabilitation issues with consumers; 
    • establish and maintain an effective counseling relationship with individuals; 
    • write complete and concise reports; 
  • Ability to
    • manage a large caseload and independently handle complex cases; 
    • relate to different cultural and economic backgrounds; 
    • organize time, set priorities and manage workload using an electronic system; 
  • Supervisory ability.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

A Master's degree from an accredited college with a major course of study in vocational rehabilitation counseling, psychology, special education, related behavioral or social sciences and four (4) years of experience in the vocational rehabilitation career series in a state/public vocational rehabilitation program.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

Two (2) years must have been with the Connecticut Department of Aging and Disability Services, Bureau of Rehabilitation Services as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor 2.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Incumbents in this class are required to maintain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator's license or Identification Card.
  • Incumbents in this class may be required to travel with or without an accommodation.

JOB CLASS DESIGNATION

Unclassified

OCCUPATIONAL GROUP

(06)-Counseling

BARGAINING UNIT

(14)-EDUCATION B (P-3B)

EEO

(2)-Professional

SALARY INFORMATION

EQ 25

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.

CANCELLATION CLAUSE

This replaces the existing specification for the class of Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Specialist (40 Hour) in Salary Group EQ 25 approved effective July 1, 2022. (Reviewed in accordance with Connecticut General Statute § 5-200a. Revised to modernize format and add Acknowledgement section) Final No. 24-107

EFFECTIVE DATE

07/24/2024
CLASS: 9154EQ; EST: 7/1/1948; REV: 7/26/2024;