Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor II

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 today!

Summary Statement

This is the full performance level of vocational rehabilitation counseling work, providing services that assist eligible individuals with physical or mental disabilities to achieve greater independence through employment. In addition to work performed at the Vocational Rehabilitative Counselor I level, employees independently perform the full range of Essential Functions under general supervision. Employees at this level perform increasingly complex work for a variety of cases, with a greater degree of independence.

Essential Functions

• Provides specialized vocational rehabilitation services, counseling, and support to clients and family members that promote successful employment and greater independence.
• Conducts interviews and completes comprehensive assessments to identify a client’s aptitudes, abilities, education level, interests, and to gather or verify other relevant data.
• Obtains and evaluates employment, medical, psychological, psychiatric, social, educational, and vocational information to determine eligibility for and provision of vocational rehabilitation services and identify client needs and appropriate resources.
• Develops employment rehabilitation plans that identify services, establish performance measures, and outline goals that align with each client’s abilities and priorities.
• Identifies barriers to client employment, such as inaccessible work sites, inflexible schedules, or transportation problems, and works with clients to develop strategies for overcoming these barriers.
• Provides individualized services such as career counseling, guidance, and job training, and participates in job development and placement programs including contacting prospective employers, placing clients in jobs, and evaluating placement outcomes.
• Ensures compliance with agency, state, and federal laws, rules, regulations, professional mandates, and best practices.
• Coordinates and integrates a variety of services with other agencies, medical facilities, educational institutions, and community resources to meet client employment goals and needs.
• Tracks and monitors progress in achieving identified goals and performance measures through regular contact with clients and makes necessary adjustments.
• Prepares and maintains a variety of records and reports that clearly and accurately document details and outcomes of each case.
• Uses automated case management systems and computer software to research, review, analyze, document, and report on client information.
• Meets with clients and family members through telephone, email, and in-person interactions.
• Communicates and interacts effectively with people across cultures, ranges of ability, genders, ethnicities, ages, and races.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Job Requirements for Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor II

• Possession of a Bachelors degree or higher in Rehabilitation Counseling, Social, Health or Behavioral Science, Education, or related field.
• One year of experience in performing vocational rehabilitation work to assist eligible individuals achieve employment by providing services such as conducting comprehensive assessments, determining eligibility, developing rehabilitation plans, and coordinating or directly providing career counseling, training, or job placement services.
• One year of experience in case management such as assessing, planning, developing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating options and services to meet an individual’s human service needs using effective counseling or interviewing techniques as well as other available resources such as service plans or case management systems.
• One year of experience in preparing case summaries and reports that clearly and accurately document findings, supporting facts, and recommendations.
• Six months’ experience in ensuring compliance vocational rehabilitation laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies and procedures.

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. All new hires are required to report to the Statewide New Employee Orientation (SNEO) on their first day of employment. Sessions are held at designated locations in Kent or New Castle County.

Benefits

To learn more about the comprehensive benefit package please visit our website at

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. Individuals who use TDD may request auxiliary aid or service by calling View phone number on click.appcast.io or by visiting delawarerelay.com. If you need assistance with an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or general applicant support, you may call View phone number on click.appcast.io or email View email address on click.appcast.io. 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.