Rehabilitation Counselor

Summary

A recruitment/relocation incentive may be authorized for highly qualified candidates.

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Overview

• Accepting applications

• Open & closing dates

02/29/2024 to 03/13/2024

• Salary

$72,553 - $94,317 per year

• Pay scale & grade

GS 11

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Location

1 vacancy in the following location:

• Danville, IL 1 vacancy

• Remote job

No

• Telework eligible

No

• Travel Required

75% or less

• You may be expected to travel for this position.

• Relocation expenses reimbursed

No

• Appointment type

Permanent -

• Work schedule

Full-time -

• Service

Excepted

• Promotion potential

None

• Job family (Series)

0101 Social Science

• Supervisory status

No

• Security clearance

Other

• Drug test

No

• Position sensitivity and risk

Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

• Trust determination process

Credentialing

Suitability/Fitness

• Announcement number

CAZP-12335643-24-BC

• Control number

779155300

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This job is open to

• The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

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Duties

This position functions as a Rehabilitation Counselor assigned to the VHA Vocational Rehabilitation Program within the Mental Health continuum of care based at the Veterans Affairs Illiana Health Care System Medical Center located in Danville, Illinois. The VHA Vocational Rehabilitation Program consists out of Transitional Work/Compensated Work Therapy (TW/CWT), Supported Employment/Compensated Work Therapy (SE/CWT), Compensated Work Therapy/Therapeutic Residence (CWT/TR), and Community Based Employment Services (CBES/CWT) Programs. In addition to providing services for Veterans enrolled in VHA Vocational Rehabilitation, the Rehabilitation Counselor also provides vocational assistance to residents of the Psychosocial Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (PRRTP).

• Provides a wide range of rehabilitation and personal adjustment counseling and case management services.

• Provides job placement assistance is an essential service to be provided by the VRC as a part of the overall recovery process. .

• Maintains contact with state vocational rehabilitation agencies/offices, private employers, state and local employment offices, and VA Regional Offices.

• Responsible for coordinating all provider services being utilized to assure continuity of care.

• Develops professional partnerships and relationships with community businesses, resources, providers and other community organizations with the goal of assisting Veterans in obtaining training and employment.

• Coordinates with various resources to locate services and employment opportunities in the community that will be suitable for the individual participant from the standpoint of their particular needs and barriers.

• Works diligently with any potential employer presenting the individual as one who has skill and ability and is capable of engaging in suitable competitive employment.

• Markets the TWE/CWT program; negotiates contracts and memorandums of understanding; and strives to reduce stigma in hiring those with mental health and other needs.

• Provides counseling to Veterans regarding the Veteran's strengths, needs limitations, abilities and preferences, the demands and responsibilities of holding a job, and problems related to vocational training, placement and employment.

• Provides timely planning and coordinated actions in the delivery of needed rehabilitation services. P

• Provides a mechanism for combining the VA's multifaceted rehabilitation services into an integrated delivery system.

• Provides continual, ongoing counseling assistance to provide support and assist the Veteran in making those necessary adjustments to maintain the employment.

• Counseling techniques are provided to motivate Veterans and help them adjust to training or worksite.

• Keeps abreast of current employment opportunities, contacts with business people, job opportunity resources, placement services, and those opportunities for self-employment.

• Collaborates with community partners, agencies and businesses to host the annual Veteran's Employment Fair at the VA Medical Center.

• Receives and responds to referrals from mental health providers of potentially employable Veterans.

• Interviews the Veteran to identify strengths, needs, abilities, preferences, and barriers to employment.

• Reviews the Veteran's medical record to analyze biopsychosocial barriers and to assess the impact on motivation, adjustment to training and difficulty in employment placement.

• Writes an individualized rehabilitation plan with vocational goals and SMART objectives based on input from the Veteran.

• Completes Measurement Based Care (MBC) discussion and documentation for each Veteran assigned to caseload.

• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday

• Friday; 7:30am to 4:00pm

Telework: Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 000000

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Financial Disclosure Report: Not require

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Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.

• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.

• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.

• You may be required to serve a probationary period.

• Subject to background/security investigation.

• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.

• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• Education: Must possess a master's degree in rehabilitation counseling or clinical rehabilitation counseling from a rehabilitation counseling program accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). If the applicant's degree was granted prior to July 1, 2017, the program must be accredited by the Council on Rehabilitation Education.

• OR

• Must possess a master's degree in counseling or clinical rehabilitation counseling from a college or university accredited by a national or regional accrediting body accredited by Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

• OR

• Must possess a master's or doctoral degree in a related field of study with course content that emphasized rehabilitation, counseling, disability, therapy, health, employment, wellness, or human development from a college or university accredited by a national or regional accrediting body accredited by CHEA.

• OR

• Foreign graduates with a degree acceptable by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC).

• English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).

• Certification: Current, full and unrestricted certification as a certified rehabilitation counselor (CRC) from the CRCC to practice vocational rehabilitation counseling.

In addition to the basic requirements, the following grade requirements must also be met:

Grade Determinations:

GS-11 Experience: Completion of one year of professional experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-9) directly related to the position being filled. Experience at this level includes, but is not limited to: Providing vocational and personal adjustment counseling, case management and transferrable skills analyses to aid Veterans with severe disabilities in pursuit of their self-determined employment, educational and independent living goals. Conduct assessments through record reviews, observations and interviews with Veterans and their support systems to generate and document personal, vocational and educational histories. Customize evaluation of abilities, aptitudes, interests, values and preferences. Facilitate job placement for Veterans by teaching valuable job search skills, resume/application development, interview skills and basic computer skills.

OR

Education: Adoctoral degree in rehabilitation counselor education or related field (e.g. rehabilitation psychology) from a CACREP accredited institution or from an institution accredited by a national or regional accrediting body accredited by CHEA.

AND

In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:

• Knowledge of physical and psychological disabilities, appropriate accommodations and assistive technology principles to mitigate and reduce or eliminate barriers to integrate into the community.

• Knowledge of counseling theory, medical and psychiatric terminology and signs and symptomology of suicidal and homicidal ideations, to communicate appropriately with community health care professionals to provide useful input to other team members and employers in relation to the Veteran and/or his/her family's psychosocial needs and to recommend and help implement suitable treatment plans.

• Ability to use evidence-based and evidence informed vocational and professional counseling practices to include individual placement and support (IPS), customized employment and supported employment models and motivational interviewing skills to promote self-awareness, adjustment to disability, enhanced job retention and successful integration to the community.

• Knowledge of career development processes and job analysis methodology to determine essential functions of jobs, worksite modifications and/or alternative vocational goals given the work history and residual functional capacities of individuals with disabilities.

• Ability to administer and interpret a wide variety of assessment methods including transferrable skills and labor market analyses to evaluate for individual interests, aptitudes and abilities and to identify suitable vocational goals for the development of an effective individual service delivery plan.

• Knowledge of marketing strategies to develop collaborative partnerships/Memorandums of Agreement within VA and local business community to enhance employment and/or work opportunities.

• Knowledge of military culture and specific factors and dynamics associated with Veterans, particularly combat Veterans, to assist those who are returning to community and community based-work.

References: VA Handbook 5005/133 Part II Appendix G62 Rehabilitation Counselor Qualification Standard.

Physical Requirements: The physical demands of the work are generally minor. The work is primarily sedentary, although the stress involved in dealing continually with persons in emotional distress and who may be uncooperative and occasionally assaultive makes this work notably more demanding than most sedentary positions. The incumbent may be expected to assume an irregular tour of duty, which may include evening hours and weekends.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Additional information

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

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• Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new window

Learn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.