State of Connecticut Executive Branch

In the Commission on the Deaf and Hearing Impaired this class is accountable for independently providing either personal, group, family and/or marital counseling or vocational guidance counseling to a caseload of deaf and hearing impaired clients.

Works under the general supervision of the CDHI Supervisor of Counseling Services or other employee of higher grade.

PERSONAL, GROUP, FAMILY AND/OR MARITAL COUNSELOR: Provides counseling relating to special language, communication and socio-economic problems unique to deaf and hearing impaired clients/and or their families; assists in maintaining a functioning referral system with cooperation from state, local and voluntary agencies; maintains an effective liaison with statewide deaf and hearing impaired community through their organization; maintains required records; prepares reports; performs related duties as required.

VOCATIONAL GUIDANCE COUNSELOR: Assists in providing suitable employment guidance and counseling to deaf and hearing impaired clients; identifies and screens job ready clients for skill training, vocational rehabilitation, referral and placement; provides information about occupations, job training opportunities and support services; matches client with appropriate employment opportunities including transitional and supported job sites; cooperates with state, private and local agencies to implement employability plans; reviews client progress; maintains cooperative working relationship with public and private agencies; maintains required records; prepares reports; performs related duties as required.

Considerable knowledge of psychosocial implications of deafness and hearing impairment; knowledge of counseling, interviewing, referral and/or placement techniques; knowledge of vocational rehabilitation process; some knowledge of Americans with Disabilities Act for the deaf and hearing impaired; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable oral and written communication skills; ability to communicate comfortably and effectively through interpreters with deaf and hearing impaired individuals who may possess varying degrees of hearing loss or have an oral education background.

One (1) year of the General Experience must have been in an organization, agency or institution engaged in programs serving the deaf and hearing impaired.

College training in the behavioral sciences may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equaling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.

1. Incumbents in this class must be able to communicate fluently in American Sign Language.
   
2. Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

This replaces the existing specification for class of CDHI Counselor For The Deaf And Hearing Impaired in Salary Group SH 22 approved effective April 15, 1996. (2009 SCOPE Review)