Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Assistant II (#MDDT02)
$31,546.00 Yearly Min / $39,433.00 Yearly Mid / $47,320.00 Yearly Max

A class incumbent performs all assigned duties under close professional supervision and is responsible for providing complex rehabilitation services to blind and visually-impaired persons. A class incumbent interviews persons applying for vocational rehabilitation services to determine eligibility when needed, collects relevant vocational, educational and other pertinent information, and provides significant input to supervising vocational rehabilitation counselors for development of individualized rehabilitation plans and authorization for expenditure of case service funds. Other significant aspects of the class include job coaching, counseling and referring consumers to various public/private agencies for rehabilitation services and other assistance and monitoring consumer problems and progress.

Essential functions are fundamental, core functions common to all positions in the class series and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties for any one position in the class. Since class specifications are descriptive and not restrictive, incumbents can complete job duties of similar kind not specifically listed here.

• Conducts interviews of applicants for vocational rehabilitation services to determine eligibility, as assigned. Makes recommendations to professional staff on consumer needs and assists in developing rehabilitation plans.
   
• Requests, reviews and compiles relevant medical, educational and vocational information used in determining eligibility for vocational rehabilitation services.
   
• Conducts low vision screening tests and determines need for adaptive aids. Maintains inventory of low vision adaptive equipment.
   
• Develops and maintains close working relationships with medical, treatment and training facilities, other agencies, and employers to coordinate the procurement of rehabilitation services or employment, and to follow up on consumer progress.
   
• Maintains close contact with consumers throughout the rehabilitation process. Provides job coaching, vocational and supportive counseling and crisis intervention to motivate consumers, as needed. Provides follow-up contact in post-closure cases.
   
• Develops job leads and refers to appropriate person for development.
   
• Provides information to consumers on the availability and utilization of community resources for financial aid, housing, transportation and job search assistance.
   
• Prepares case documentation and required reports.
   
• Conducts quality control and case closure audits. Ensures compliance with applicable regulations.
   
• Attends educational planning meetings for students in transition to provide input for services in absence of counselor.

The intent of the listed knowledge, skills and abilities is to give a general indication of the core requirements for all positions in the class series; therefore, the KSA’s listed are not exhaustive or necessarily inclusive of the requirements of every position in the class.

• Knowledge of applicable laws, rules, regulations and procedures.
• Knowledge of community resources.
• Knowledge of casework procedures.
• Knowledge of principles and techniques of counseling.
• Knowledge of job coaching, job modification and crisis intervention techniques.
• Knowledge of adaptive aids and equipment for the visually-impaired.
• Skill in conducting interviews.
• Skill in oral and written communication.
• Skill in assessing visual acuity problems and determining needs for adaptive aids and equipment.
• Ability to analyze and interpret medical and vocational data.
• Ability to maintain working relationships with facilities, families and medical community.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and to prepare reports.
• Ability to deal with people of all educational levels.

1. Six months experience in interviewing which includes using structured or unstructured interview techniques to obtain facts, explore issues and identify courses of action. 
2. Six months experience in record keeping.
3. Six months experience in applying laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies and procedures. 
4. Knowledge of career counseling which includes assisting hard to serve job seekers to develop realistic and achievable employment goals; interviewing to obtain facts and explore issues; identifying obstacles or barriers to employment and jointly formulating employability development plans directed at employment outcomes.
5. Knowledge of vocational rehabilitation.