Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Assistant, (Syracuse), (NY HELPS), Box OSEA-351/44732

Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Assistant

The New York State Education Department's (NYSED) Office of Special Education and ACCES (OSEA) is seeking a candidate for a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Assistant position in the Syracuse VR District Office. This Office provides vocational rehabilitation services to individuals with disabilities, who are interested in becoming employed or retaining their current employment.

Duties of this position include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Conduct intake interviews, review eligibility for financial assistance, and monitor training records;
• Verify employment, which may require site visits to rehabilitation facilities, schools, and training centers;
• Authorize necessary medical diagnostic examinations;
• Prepare financial and statistical records and reports;
• Prepare routine correspondence to consumers and their families, vendors and other agencies concerning consumer status and progress; and
• Schedule transportation, interpreters, readers, and independent living services for disabled consumers.

This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS). For the duration of the NY HELPS Program, this title may be filled via a non-competitive appointment, which means no examination is required but all candidates must meet the minimum qualifications of the title for which they apply. At a future date (within one year of permanent appointment), it is expected employees hired under NY HELPS will have their non-competitive employment status converted to competitive status, without having to compete in an examination. Employees will then be afforded with all of the same rights and privileges of competitive class employees of New York State. While serving permanently in a NY HELPS title, employees may take part in any promotion examination for which they are qualified.

Non-Competitive Minimum Qualifications:

• Three (3) years of experience either providing direct services beyond routine personal care or supervision to physically, mentally, or learning-disabled adults or adolescents in a rehabilitation program or facility; or providing paraprofessional support to counselor staff in a rehabilitation program or facility; or providing vocational or educational services to adults or adolescents with physical, mental, or learning disabilities in the areas of assessment, counseling, job coaching, guidance, placement, or job development.
• An associate degree may substitute for two (2) years of experience; a bachelor's degree may substitute for four (4) years of experience.

Promotional Transitional Qualifications: Current NYSED employees must have:

• One year of competitive service at grade 6 or higher

Competitive Minimum Qualifications:

• Reassignment: Candidates must have one year of permanent competitive or 55b/c service as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Assistant.
• Section 70.1 Transfer: Candidates must have one year of permanent competitive or 55b/c service in a title SG-11 or above deemed eligible for transfer under Section 70.1 of the Civil Service Law.
• 55b/c Appointment: This position is eligible for 55b/c designation and is subject to verification of applicant eligibility. Candidates must possess a current 55b/c eligibility letter and the following minimum qualifications:
• Three (3) years of experience either providing direct services beyond routine personal care or supervision to physically, mentally, or learning-disabled adults or adolescents in a rehabilitation program or facility; or providing paraprofessional support to counselor staff in a rehabilitation program or facility; or providing vocational or educational services to adults or adolescents with physical, mental, or learning disabilities in the areas of assessment, counseling, job coaching, guidance, placement, or job development.
• An associate degree may substitute for two (2) years of experience; a bachelor's degree may substitute for four (4) years of experience.
• *For experience to be considered qualifying, the primary responsibilities of a position must have involved professional or paraprofessional duties in one of the following areas: EITHER
• A. providing direct services beyond routine personal care or supervision to physically, mentally, or learning-disabled adults or adolescents in a rehabilitation program or facility. (Qualifying examples include casework, counseling, daily living skills training, benefit advisement, or peer mentoring. Clerical duties such as answering the telephone or scheduling appointments are NOT considered qualifying experience); OR
• B. providing vocational or educational services to adults or adolescents with physical, mental, or learning disabilities in the areas of assessment, counseling, job coaching, guidance, placement, or job development.

Conditions of employment:

• This will be a contingent permanent, competitive appointment or a contingent permanent, non-competitive appointment. For 55b/c appointments, candidates must possess the minimum qualifications, a current 55b/c eligibility letter and is subject to verification of applicant eligibility. Promotions and transfers may change appointees' negotiating unit. Candidates should be aware that changes in negotiating units may affect their salary, insurance, and other benefits. Verification of degree and/or work experience will be required at the time of interview for applicable candidates.
• This position allows for the opportunity to telecommute up to 30% each bi-weekly pay period and is granted at the discretion of the supervisor and the appointing office. This position will require 10% in-state/Statewide travel.
• Federal law may impose additional requirements or restrictions regarding positions that receive federal funding.
• Current starting salary:
• $50,844 (Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Assistant, SG-13)
• This position leads to a maximum salary of $65,061 based on annual performance advances. For new State employees appointed to graded positions, the annual salary is the hiring rate (beginning of the Salary Range) of the position. Promotion salaries are calculated by the NYS Office of the State Comptroller in accordance with NYS Civil Service Law, OSC Payroll rules and regulations and negotiated union contracts.

Generous benefits of working for New York State, including, but not limited to, the following:

• Holiday & Paid Time Off
• Thirteen (13) paid holidays annually.
• Thirteen (13) days of paid vacation leave in year one, increasing to 20+ days with additional years of service.
• Five (5) days of paid personal leave annually.
• Thirteen (13) days of paid sick leave annually for PEF/CSEA and eight (8) days paid sick leave annually for M/C.
• Annual professional leave and educational leave opportunities for eligible staff.
• Health Care Benefits
• Eligible employees and dependents can choose from a variety of affordable and generous health insurance programs.
• Family dental and vision benefits at no additional cost.
• Additional Benefits
• Enrollment in the New York State pension system which has earned the distinction of being one of the best-managed and best-funded plans in the nation OR Optional Retirement Defined Contribution Plan with 8% salary match (eligibility requirements apply).
• NYS Deferred Compensation and an exclusive 403(b) Optional Retirement Savings Plan.
• Paid Parental Leave for all employees and Paid Family Leave (M/C Only).
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).
• Eligibility for various life insurance options.

Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.