Vocational Rehabilitation Senior Counselor

Recruitment #090122-MDDU03-350800

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Introduction

Make a Difference with DHSS

Our mission at the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) is to improve the quality of life of Delaware citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations. We prioritize personal and family independence by assisting individuals and families in a variety of life areas.

We offer numerous career opportunities and are dedicated to attracting and retaining highly talented individuals who are ready to make a difference in their community today. DHSS is a great place to kick-start your profession.

For more information, please visit https://dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/ today!

Summary Statement

The incumbent in this position will navigate the vocational rehabilitation process for blind and visually impaired consumers, leading to competitive integrated employment on an independent basis. Duties include performing the most advanced level work with the most complex caseloads, while providing services in a manner consistent with the goals of the consumer and the requirements of the governing laws, rules, regulations, and policy. This position will perform tasks reserved for qualified vocational rehabilitation counselors under the law, including training

Essential Functions

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.

  • Determine eligibility for vocational rehabilitation program services by applying complex statutory and regulatory standards to relevant medical, psychological, psychiatric, social, educational and vocational data regarding the individual applicant.
     
  • Provide specialized vocational rehabilitation counseling and guidance to enable clients to make informed choices about goals and services, develop plans for employment, select appropriate services, and motivate the client to effect a change in attitude, abilities, and to grow from dependence to independence through employment.
     
  • Develop and approve individualized plan for employment which identifies services and performance measures to achieve an employment goal consistent with the clients abilities, capabilities, priorities, and consistent with the individual's informed choices.
     
  • Determine the availability of comparable services and benefits available without cost from other public and private organizations and utilize such services and benefits when appropriate according to complex statutory standard.
     
  • Coordinate and integrate services provided by other agencies, medical providers, educational institutions, and community resources in order to achieve vocational rehabilitation goals identified in the individualized plan for employment. Locates, develops and maintains referral sources of individuals with disabilities.
     
  • Implement approved individualized plans for employment by procuring identified goods and services, authorizing and encumbering funds, and monitoring clients' progress in achieving identified performance measures.
     
  • Periodically review the individualized plan for employment, monitor clients progress in achieving plan goals, targeted time lines and performance measures, and amend individualized plan for employment to meet changing circumstances and individual needs.
     
  • Provide job development and placement services to include developing relationships with employers and follow up to ensure satisfactory adjustment to job.
     
  • Provides expert testimony in legal proceedings.
     
  • Participates in extended employment reviews of rehabilitation facilities.

Job Requirements

JOB REQUIREMENTS for Vocational Rehabilitation Senior Counselor
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 two years experience in vocational rehabilitation.
  3. Three years 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. Three years 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 such as 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.

Additional Posting Information

Due to a new requirement from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) the following mandate is effective January 27, 2022: As a condition of employment, employees providing health care services and/or support services in covered facilities must show proof that they have received the dose of a single J&J dose or the 1st dose of Moderna/Pfizer two-dose vaccine effective date January 27, 2022, and proof of the single J&J dose or the 2nd dose of Moderna/Pfizer two-dose vaccine by February. 28, 2022. Employees may not provide any care, treatment, or other services until proof is provided.  Based on CMS guidance, the date for compliance may extend into March due to the health care facilities high vaccination rate of staff.  If you accept a position with the facility, your Human Resources representative can provide more guidance.  The only exception to these requirements is for those employees granted medical or religious exemptions from the COVID-19 vaccine as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which may require weekly COVID-19 testing. This will be in effect until further notice.  More information can be found here. 

Conditions of Hire

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. The State of Delaware participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. For more information refer to our Job Seeker Resources.

DHSS does not provide employment-based sponsorship.

Benefits

To learn more about the comprehensive benefit package please visit our website at https://dhr.delaware.gov/benefits/

Selection Process

The application and supplemental questionnaire are evaluated based upon a rating of your education, training and experience as they relate to the job requirements of the position.  It is essential that you provide complete and accurate information on your application and the supplemental questionnaire to include dates of employment, job title and job duties.  For education and training, list name of educational provider, training course titles and summary of course content.   Narrative information supplied in response to the questions must be supported by the information supplied on the application including your employment, education and training history as it relates to the job requirements.

Once you have submitted your application on-line, all future correspondence related to your application will be sent via email.  Please keep your contact information current.  You may also view all correspondence sent to you by the State of Delaware in the “My Applications” tab at StateJobs.Delaware.gov.

Accommodations

Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities in all phases of the application and employment process.  To request an auxiliary aid or service please call (302) 739-5458. TDD users should call the Delaware Relay Service Number 1-800-232-5460 for assistance.

The State of Delaware is an Equal Opportunity employer and values a diverse workforce. We strongly encourage and seek out a workforce representative of Delaware including race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.