Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor 1

Are you creative in your approach to challenges? Are you skilled in building relationships? Does helping job seekers with disabilities or work-related injuries obtain the necessary skills for lasting employment success excite you? If so, we need your help to make an impaCT in the lives of CT residents by joining our team as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor 1! 

The State of Connecticut, Department of Aging and Disability Services (ADS) is seeking candidates for several Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor 1 positions located throughout the State. Selected candidates will join our team of professionals whose collective mission is to maximize opportunities for the independence and well-being of people with disabilities and older adults in Connecticut.

These Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor 1 positions will be responsible for providing vocational rehabilitation services to individuals with disabilities that are monolingual Spanish speaking. These positions will be responsible for managing referrals from general intake, Latino community organizations, school systems and other community referrals, providing vocational rehabilitation services to individuals with a wide variety of disabilities.

Please Note: 

• Candidates for these positions will be responsible for providing services to both Bilingual and English speaking consumers
• The term of appointment of candidates to positions in this class shall be for a maximum period of not more than three (3) years

Are you interested in joining our team as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor 1? We encourage you to apply today! The current available positions will be located in Bridgeport and Windsor. Future vacancies to be posted may be located in Bridgeport, Danbury, East Hartford, Killingly (Danielson), Manchester, Middletown, Montville, New Britain, New Haven, Stamford, Torrington, Waterbury, Windham (Willimantic) and Windsor. These are unclassified positions in the Education Professions (P-3B) bargaining unit. The anticipated work schedule is first shift, Monday through Friday, 35 hours per week. Each Counselor is assigned to a specific region within which travel is required. 

We offer a competitive benefits package, excellent health care, generous leave policies, retirement plan, and more!  We also encourage a healthy work-life balance to all employees!

The possibilities are endless! We also encourage you to grow with us; Based on your experience and training, your career progression opportunities could include Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor 2 and even Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Specialist.

The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.

This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application.  

Due to the volume of applications anticipated, we are unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process. Updates will be provided through your JobAps portal account. 

Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience most closely meet the preferred requirements of the position. Applicants invited to interview may be required to submit additional documentation, which supports their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include: performance reviews, supervisory references, college transcripts, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency. 

In addition to the checking of references and of facts stated in the application, a thorough background investigation of each candidate may be made before individuals are certified for appointment. 

Please Note: You will be unable to make revisions once you submit your application for this posting to the JobAps system.

This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs) which will be sent to you via email after the closing date. The email notification will include an expiration date by which you must submit (Finish) your responses. Please regularly check your email for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders, as emails could end up there in error. 

The immediate vacancy is listed above, however applications to this recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies in the job classification.

Should you have questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Chelsea Moore at Chelsea.Moore@ct.gov

In the Department of Aging and Disability Services, Bureau of Rehabilitation Services this class is accountable for performing professional rehabilitation services for individuals with disabilities.

Performs a limited range of professional rehabilitation planning for and services to individuals with disabilities and rehabilitation needs; conducts interviews and explains functions, services and eligibility requirements of the agency; counsels individuals and assists in planning, selecting, preparing for and achieving a vocational goal; obtains sufficient case 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; 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 an assigned caseload using an electronic system; coordinates and delivers presentations; may administer vocational tests; performs related duties as required.

Knowledge of the principles and techniques of vocational rehabilitation counseling and interviewing; some knowledge of disability and resulting functional limitation and medical terminology; some knowledge of community resources; interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills; ability to relate to different cultural and economic backgrounds; ability to organize time, set priorities and manage workload using an electronic system; some ability to gather, analyze and evaluate significant information pertinent to the rehabilitation of an individual; some ability to establish and maintain an effective counseling relationship with individuals; some ability in report writing.

A Master's degree from an accredited college with a major course of study in vocational rehabilitation counseling, psychology, special education or related behavioral or social sciences.

• Experience fluently speaking, reading and writing in Spanish
• Experience with case management
• Experience with community outreach and establishing community referral sources
• Working experience with individuals with disabilities
• Possession of a Master’s degree in Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling

1. Incumbents in this class will be required to obtain the educational qualification for the Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor 1 and meet the most current national standard for Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) as specified by the Commissioner on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC).
2. Incumbents in this class are required to maintain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator's license or Identification Card.
3. Incumbents in this class may be required to travel with or without accommodation.

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.