Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor II (#MDDU02)
$45,798.00 Yearly Min / $57,248.00 Yearly Mid / $68,698.00 Yearly Max

• Initiate, authorize and encumber funds not to exceed amount determined by the Division Director.

This is rehabilitation counseling work at the full performance level, working with general supervision from an administrative superior. This class is differentiated from the next lower class by serving an increased number of severely disabled clients, authority to initiate specified rehabilitation plans, authorize and encumber funds and make certain casework decisions independent of supervisor review. Significant aspects of the work will be obtaining and evaluating relevant information to determine eligibility for vocational rehabilitative services, establishing individualized rehabilitation plans, and coordinating a variety of necessary services. In addition, the incumbent will provide specialized counseling and guidance, job development and placement services, establish and maintain employers accounts and serve as liaison with related agencies and institutions.

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.

• Obtains, reviews and analyzes relevant medical, psychological, psychiatric, social, educational and vocational data to determine eligibility for vocational rehabilitation services.
   
• Provides specialized counseling to clients and family members to aid in achieving satisfactory vocational adjustment.
   
• Formulates individualized written rehabilitation plans to meet clients needs.
   
• Coordinates services with other agencies, hospitals, clinics, schools and other community resources to meet the needs of the client, and monitor client progress.
   
• Initiates rehabilitation plans, authorize and encumber funds for plans, not to exceed amount determined by DVR Director.
   
• Provides job development and placement services to include establishment and maintenance of employer accounts and follow-up to insure satisfactory adjustment to the job.
   
• Serves as a liaison for division with related agencies and institutions.
   
• Prepares case documentation and reports to justify expenditures and monitor client progress and outcome.

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 the organization, development, and objectives of vocational rehabilitation programs.
• Considerable knowledge of principles and techniques of counseling and crisis intervention, and casework management.
• Knowledge of transferable skills, job modification, adaptive devices, labor market analysis and job placement of the handicapped.
• Considerable knowledge of disabling conditions and associated functional restrictions/limitation.
• Skill in analyzing and interpreting medical, psychiatric, psychological, educational and vocational information.
• Ability to learn state and community resources, their components and criteria for assessing same.
• Ability to learn and apply applicable division regulations, policies and procedures, and federal guidelines on vocational rehabilitation.
• Ability to influence and modify client behavior and attitude with respect to acceptance of disability, appropriate goal setting, vocational planning, etc.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with medical community, public and private agencies, clients' family and employers.
• Ability to effectively manage case service funds.

JOB REQUIREMENTS for Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor II
Applicants must have education, training and/or experience demonstrating competence in each of the following areas:

1. Possession of a Masters degree or higher in Rehabilitation Counseling, Social or Behavioral Science or related field OR Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) designation.
2. At least one year experience in vocational rehabilitation.
3. Six months experience in analyzing and interpreting medical, psychiatric, psychological, psycho-social, educational and vocational reports from medical, psychological, and other experts to determine eligibility or an individuals vocational rehabilitation needs.
4. Six months experience in case management which includes assessing, planning, developing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating options and services to meet an individuals human service needs.
5. Six months experience in health or human services work which includes applying theories, principles, laws and practices of health or human services programs and services that assist with and improve life for individuals, families, or communities such as financial support, employment, unemployment, housing, health care, disease prevention, substance abuse, child protective services, physical/mental health treatment and prevention or rehabilitation.
6. Six months experience in interpreting vocational rehabilitation laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies and procedures.