Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor

Description

Duties Description

Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors have frequent oral and written communication with a variety of people including clients seeking rehabilitation services, medical and other consultants, personnel of various rehabilitation facilities which provide rehabilitative services, representatives of other agencies both public and private which may provide needed services and both employers and potential employers. The communication involves explaining to clients the services the agency has to offer, obtaining necessary information from clients, establishing a rapport with clients, consulting with appropriate medical personnel and other technical experts, working with personnel of other government and private agencies in order to coordinate work activities to avoid possible duplication of effort and to improve overall efficiency of service and establishing good rapport with employers in their community. Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Interviews clients to explain services agency has to offer and to identify vocational interests and desires of clients.
• Reviews new cases to determine whether potential clients meet eligibility requirements of agency and/or whether clients can benefit from vocational rehabilitation services.
• Maintains a caseload of clients with vocational/educational needs and may assign them to professional staff where appropriate.
• Prepares a written rehabilitation plan for clients based on and includes relevant information such as goals, schedules, timetables, specific services that will be provided and/or reviews and approves those case plans developed by counselors assigned.
• Reviews and approves case closures to ensure that effective services were provided to the client and that the case is ready for closure.
• As made necessary by policy or unusual case situations, refers case plans and amendments to medical consultants or higher-level supervisors for decision.
• Completes evaluations of cases based on vocational, educational, medical, psychosocial and diagnostic information.
• Coordinates services as well as providing individual counseling to monitor progress and to address need for changes.
• Provides counseling and education that: prepares clients for employment (mock interviews, skills related to job-seeking, writing effective resumes, completing employment applications, etc.); educates and develops sound financial and budgeting skills; and fosters independence by assisting clients to obtain services from other resources.
• Facilitates group meetings that educate clients on work-readiness skills and maintaining employment.
• Uses statistical reports to monitor quantitative and qualitative aspects of vocational rehabilitation services.
• Observation of counselors and conferring with them on individual cases to ensure proper vocation rehabilitation procedure and resolves problems including professional advice to counselors on how to handle unusual or difficult situations. May oversee shift.
• Maintains and prepares necessary records, reports, and statistical data on clients.
• Establish knowledge of business employment opportunities in the community to assist clients.
• Develops and maintains productive relationships with referral sources.
• Provides relevant information to the community.
• Participates on committees and in conferences.
• Trains staff on vocational rehabilitation services within the context of addictions.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.
  
  

Travel time 5%.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Current permanent status as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor and qualified for lateral transfer ~OR~ Eligible for transfer via Section 70.1 of the Civil Service Law ~OR~ Reachable on the current Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor eligible list (list has been canvassed) ~OR~ Qualified via HELPS (see non-competitive minimum qualifications for HELPS below)

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 this time, agencies may recruit and hire employees by making temporary appointments. If a temporary NY HELPS employee is satisfactorily performing in the position, the appointment will be changed from temporary pending Civil Service Commission Action to permanent non-competitive and the official probationary period will begin.

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 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 For HELPS

Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Trainee 1, NS = Grade 15:

A bachelor’s degree or higher AND enrolled in a master's degree program in Rehabilitation Counseling; OR a master’s degree or higher in a related-degree field.

Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Trainee 2, NS = Grade 17:

A bachelor’s degree or higher AND completion of 50% of the coursework toward a master's degree in rehabilitation counseling; OR a master’s degree or higher in a related degree field AND one year of professional work experience in a related field.

Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, Grade 19

A current Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) certificate; OR a master's degree in rehabilitation counseling, including a supervised internship, from a CORE (Council on Rehabilitation Education) accredited program; OR a master's degree in rehabilitation counseling or counseling and notice of eligibility to sit for the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) certificate examination OR a master’s degree or higher in Rehabilitation Counseling; OR a master’s degree or higher in a related degree field AND two year of professional work experience in a related field.

NOTE: Candidates must be eligible and maintain eligibility for full and unconditional participation in the Medicaid and Medicare programs. Failure to maintain licensure, certification and Medicaid/Medicare eligibility will result in the termination of employment.

Mandatory overtime (MOT) is a requirement of this position. Chosen candidate(s) will be added to the mandatory overtime roster, which is utilized on a rotating basis. The MOT is applied during times of emergency, after the agency has made a good faith effort to have overtime covered and all other staffing options have been exhausted (volunteers, hourly staff, contracted staff). Our Addiction Treatment Centers (ATCs) operate 24/7/365 programing. Therefore, MOT IS an essential function of this position and is critical to maintaining adequate staffing at all times in order to ensure the health and safety of clients within the facility.

Salary

Additional Comments

Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (G-19): $70,579 – $89,645*

Trainee 1: $56,807 - $72,429*

Trainee 2: $63,361 - $80,655*

• Plus $4,000 location pay
• The salary range listed in this posting reflects the full range for this graded position, factoring in annual performance advances based on satisfactory annual performance reviews. Candidates with no previous State service will begin at the hiring rate (starting rate of the salary range) listed above, plus any applicable Location Pay/Geographic Pay/Shift Pay differentials.
  
  

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.

OASAS Addiction Treatment Centers (ATCs) are Tobacco Free Facilities.

Generous benefits package, which may include: medical, dental and vision coverage; NYS Employees Retirement System (pension); optional Deferred Compensation Program; tuition assistance; generous paid leave benefits; compensation for 13 State holidays per year; access to NY 529 and NY ABLE College Savings Programs; and Flex Spending Accounts.

The Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program allows public service employees to have the remaining balance on direct loans forgiven after 120 qualifying payments are made under an accepted repayment plan while working full-time for an eligible employer. New York State is an eligible employer. More information is available at https://oer.ny.gov/public-service-loan-forgiveness

Background Investigation Requirements

Prospective appointees will be: 1) Checked against the Staff Exclusion List (SEL) maintained by the Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs. Prospective employees whose names appear on the SEL as having been found responsible for serious or repeated acts of abuse or neglect will be barred from appointment and may have their names removed from the eligible list(s) for the title(s) if applicable. 2) Investigated through a criminal background check (CBC) that includes state and federal criminal history record checks. All convictions must be reported; conviction of a felony or misdemeanor, or any falsified or omitted information on the prospective appointee’s employment application may bar appointment or result in removal after appointment. Each case will be determined on its own merits, consistent with the applicable provisions of state and federal laws, rules, and regulations. Prospective employees will be fingerprinted in order to obtain a record of their criminal history information and may be required to pay any necessary fees. 3) Screened against the Statewide Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment (SCR). Prospective employees may be required to pay any necessary fees. Additionally, prospective employees whose names are indicated on the SCR may be barred from appointment.

OASAS recognizes the value that different people, perspectives and cultures bring to the agency. We strive to create an inclusive culture that uplifts and supports our staff, fostering a sense of belonging in the workplace. Individuals with lived substance use and/or gambling experience are encouraged to apply.

New York State OASAS is an equal opportunity employer and provides opportunity for all regardless of race, gender, religion, national original, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, ability, or any other protected class. OASAS encourages people with disabilities to apply. If you need a reasonable accommodation at any point in the application or hiring process, please reach out to [email protected]