Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist

Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist

Positions in this job family are assigned responsibilities for performing complex professional work in program consultation and monitoring; in guidance and counseling; client training; and specialized job placement for the vocational rehabilitation of individuals with physical or mental disabilities, blindness or visual impairments. Assigned responsibilities also include evaluating client work capacities, providing assistive technology services and administering tests to determine vocational aptitudes, interests, abilities, and potential of clients.

The functions performed in this job family will vary by level, unit and organization, but may include the following:

• Provides services to clients in meeting problems of personal, social, and vocational adjustment.
• Interprets and analyzes applicant's physical or mental condition, social and economic situation, attitudes and aptitudes, work experiences, functional limitations, educational background and personality traits to determine kind and extent of disability and rehabilitation possibilities.
• Consults with physicians, psychologists and other appropriate disability professionals regarding findings of examinations; administers and interprets psychological tests when indicated; determines eligibility for rehabilitation services on the basis of law and policy; and assists individuals in formulating a suitable rehabilitation plan.
• Plans and arranges for rehabilitation services; approves expenditures within specified limits for planned rehabilitation services.
• Confers with public and private employers to establish job opportunities for rehabilitation clients; aids clients in securing employment consistent with their capabilities; monitors client progress.
• Provides program monitoring and consultation; keeps appropriate case records and controls case service expenditures.
• Assists employers and businesses with guidelines for accommodating people with disabilities according to the Americans with Disabilities Act and other laws, regulations, policies, and procedures pertaining to persons with disabilities.
• Administers and/or develops work samples and situational assessments.
• Reviews and assesses medical, psychological, neuropsychological, legal, educational and social information concerning clients who have been referred for vocational evaluation; determines need for additional diagnostic information.
• Prepares individual written vocational evaluation plans; acts as consultant to Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors in making vocational decisions.
• Orients clients to the evaluation process; administers and interprets test results to determine learning capacity, work-related aptitudes, abilities and limitations, behavioral factors affecting vocational performance and rehabilitation potential of clients; makes objective observations of all behaviors essential to the world of work; and recommends specific goals and services to clients.
• Teaches basic vocational skills and leads groups that are composed of individuals with vastly diverse cultural, educational, emotional, physical and mental abilities and backgrounds; develops and administers appropriate job samples to determine learning ability, reaction to supervision, work with peers, work tolerances, physical tolerances and endurance.
• Assists individuals with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of assistive technology devices(s).
• Prepares vocational evaluation reports detailing test results and their implications, job sample evaluation, summary of observations, work ethics and attitudes, physical capabilities, clients expressed and displayed vocational interest.

Position may be filled at Level I, II, III, or IV.

Position is located in the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation in Tulsa (VR80).

Essential Functions: Caseload is made up of transition aged youth. The covered area for youth is Tulsa and/or Creek County. Position consults with physicians, psychologists and other disability professionals regarding the functional limitations, treatment and prognosis of eligible applicants; utilizes knowledge of principles and practices of vocational rehabilitation counseling to determine eligibility, completes comprehensive assessments; helps clients develop their Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE); provides vocational counseling and guidance in the effective delivery of case services; participates in job readiness, job search, and job placement activities to ensure a successful case outcome for the client and follows agency record documentation guidelines throughout the vocational rehabilitation process.

Applicant must be willing to perform all job-related travel.

Trial period (if applicable) is required.

Preference may be given to applicants with current LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor) or CRC (Certified Rehabilitation Counselor), LBP (Licensed Behavioral Practitioner, LFMT (Licensed Marital and Family Therapist), School Counselor Certification (traditional) or certification in Special Education credentials and with experience in counseling.

Application must include transcript which shows master's degree has been awarded and any current Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), or Professional Vocational Evaluator (PVE) certification, Licensed Behavioral Practitioner (LBP), the Licensed Marital and Family Therapist (LFMT), School Counselor Certification (Traditional) or Certification in Special Education or documentation of eligibility to sit for above certifications.

Background Check: The Department of Rehabilitation Services will conduct a criminal background check on new hires as part of an offer of employment that is made contingent upon a successful criminal background check.

*Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. now and in the future without employer sponsorship.

Benefit Highlights: The Department of Rehabilitation Services provides a comprehensive benefits package designed to support our employees and their dependents.

Benefits Include:

• Generous state paid benefit allowance to help cover insurance premiums
• A wide choice of health insurance plans with no pre-existing condition exclusions or limitations
• Flexible spending accounts for health care expenses or dependent care
• Employee assistance programs and health and fitness programs
• 11 paid holidays
• 15 days of vacation and 15 days of sick leave for the first year
• Retirement Savings Plan with a generous match
• Longevity Bonus for years of service
• 5% additional pay for the possession of an appropriate professional certification or licensure
• Training opportunities to help meet CEU requirements

Method of Application: Applicants without previous state service, with previous state service but not currently employed by a state agency must apply though the Workday on-line External Listings applicant system (State of Oklahoma Careers (myworkdayjobs.com).

Current State of Oklahoma employees must apply through the Workday on-line Internal Listings applicant system (Find Jobs - Internal State of Oklahoma - Workday (myworkday.com)

For questions regarding specific duties or details of this job, please contact Human Resources at View email address on click.appcast.io.

Equal Opportunity Employment

The State of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of genetic information, race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, or disability.