STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Candidate (35 Hour)

Hybrid

Recruitment #240314-9152EB-001

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Introduction


Ready to empower individuals with disabilities and guide them towards meaningful employment?
Join our team and make a lasting impact by helping individuals achieve their career goals and independence!

The State of Connecticut, Department of Aging and Disability Services (ADS) is seeking qualified individuals to join our team with the Bureau of Rehabilitation Services (BRS) as Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Candidates located statewide. We are seeking applicants that are interested in a career path that focuses on assisting individuals with disabilities to prepare for, obtain and maintain competitive integrated employment.  Individuals in these roles will work as part of a team and provide valuable support to our vocational rehabilitation counselors who are assigned to a variety of roles, including adult general, Level Up (working with high school students), Transition (youth) and other specialty roles.

These are entry-level training classes responsible for learning and practicing the range of duties in Vocational Rehabilitation. After successful completion of this one-year role, individuals who seek progression to the next classification in the Vocational Rehabilitation series will be required, at the expense of ADS/BRS, to become a matriculated student in a graduate course of studies leading to a master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling.

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS:
Please note that you will not be considered for vacancies in locations you do not select on your application. If you are interested in multiple locations, to ensure opportunity, please check all locations on your application. 

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU:
State of Connecticut employees participate in a competitive comprehensive benefits plan that includes:
  • A Platinum Healthcare Plan, the nation’s best for state employees and dependents, according to a report by Georgetown’s Center on Health Insurance Reform and article by Ellen Andrews, Ph.D
  • Generous paid time off, include 13 paid holidays per calendar year
  • Extensive pension plan and supplemental retirement offerings
  • Retirement healthcare offerings
  • Professional growth and development opportunities
  • State of Connecticut is an eligible Public Service Loan Forgiveness employer, meaning you may be eligible to have qualifying student loans forgiven after 10 years of service. Click here for more information.
  • A healthy work/life balance!
You'd be able to work for a Forbes top company: 'Forbes' State of Connecticut Ranked One of the Best Employers of 2023 - State of CT Receives National Recognition for Offering Job Growth, Competitive Benefits, and Flexible Schedule.

MORE ABOUT THE AGENCY AND FACILITIES:

The Mission of the Department of Aging and Disability Services is to maximize opportunities for the independence and well-being of people with disabilities and older adults in Connecticut. Our programs, policies and practices are designed to:

  • Deliver aging and disability services responsive to the needs of Connecticut citizens
  • Provide leadership on aging and disability issues statewide
  • Provide and coordinate aging and disability programs and services in the areas of employment, education, independent living, accessibility and advocacy
  • Advocate for the rights of Connecticut residents with disabilities and older adults
  • Serve as a resource on aging and disability issues at the state level
The Bureau of Rehabilitation Services (BRS), which is a division of the Department of Aging and Disability Services (ADS), assists individuals with significant physical and/or mental disabilities prepare for, find, keep, or advance in a job. BRS strives to create opportunities to help these individuals to work in competitive and integrated settings.

BRS has helped thousands of Connecticut residents with disabilities. Our Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Counselors have the knowledge and experience to help people with disabilities explore work opportunities and make good choices related to employment.

We offer individualized services for persons with disabilities who are eligible for VR and provide supports in planning for and achieving their job goals.

Selection Plan

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:
Please read or watch our Applicant Tips on How to Apply!
  • Applicants interested in the Hartford area location please select Windsor as the town/city on your application. Hartford will not show up as an option.
  • Applicants interested in the Uncasville location please select Montville as the town/city on your application. Uncasville will not show up as an option.
Please note that you will not be considered for vacancies in locations you do not select on your application.  
If you are interested in multiple locations, to ensure opportunity, please check all locations on your application. 
To Apply:
  • In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening. The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
  • In order to receive educational credits toward qualification for this job posting, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the recruiter listed on this job posting.
  • You must specify your qualifications on your application. You will be unable to make revisions once you submit your application for this posting to the JobAps system.
  • In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process.
  • All application materials must be received by the recruiting agency by the time specified on the job opening for the position for which you are applying. Late applications may not be submitted and will not be considered. Exceptions are rare and limited to documented events that incapacitate a candidate during the entire duration of the job posting time period. It is the candidate’s obligation and responsibility to request an exception and provide a legally recognized justification to accommodate such exception. Requests should be made to DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.
  • This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules.
Important Next Step Information for After You Apply:
  • Although applicants will receive correspondence via email, as a backup they are also encouraged to sign on to their Personal Status Board on a daily basis to monitor their status, view all emailed notices and complete tasks required in the recruitment process.
  • This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs). You can access these RQs via an email that will be sent to you after the posting's closing date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section). Your responses to these RQs must be submitted by the question's expiration date. Please regularly check your email and JobAps Personal Status Board for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders on a daily basis in the event an email provider places auto-notification emails in a user's spam.
  • Note: At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency.
  • The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
  • Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience and training most closely meet the requirements of the position.
  • Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State Employees which is available at www.ct.gov/ethics.
  • For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other.
Connect With Us:
  • Due to the large volume of applications received, we are unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process.
  • Updates will be available through your JobAps portal account. If you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment please contact Joseph K. Fried at Joseph.Fried@ct.gov, 860-924-7053.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Aging and Disability Services, Bureau of Rehabilitation Services receives intensive training and close supervision in providing rehabilitation services for individuals with disabilities.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Receives intensive training in rehabilitation planning and services for individuals with disabilities and rehabilitation needs; receives training in agency procedures, policies, program guidelines and legal reporting requirements; 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 case information from schools, employers, the Social Security Administration, and other public and private agencies and medical facilities; arranges for services within the agency or other community agencies; assesses vocational rehabilitation potential; elicits information and establish community referral sources; prepares case histories and other case records as components of a small assigned caseload; maintains a larger caseload as skills are acquired during training program; may administer psychological tests; performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Some knowledge of the principles and techniques of interviewing and occupational testing; some knowledge of disability and resulting functional limitations; some knowledge of 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; some ability to gather, analyze, 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.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college with major courses of study in vocational rehabilitation, counseling, psychology, special education, or related behavioral or social science.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Experience working with individuals with disabilities
  • Experience managing confidential information
  • Experience applying organizational and time-management skills to meet deadlines
  • Experience communicating with internal and external stakeholders
  • Experience working as part of a team environment
  • Experience working with individuals from diverse populations
  • Experience in a work environment with changing priorities

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

1. To obtain the position of Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor 1 within time frames specified by the Bureau incumbents in the class are required to obtain the educational qualification for the Rehabilitation Counselor I and meet the most current national standard for Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) as specified by the Commission on Rehabiliation 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.

Conclusion

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.





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