Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (Bilingual In English/Spanish Encouraged)

Initial Posting Date:

06/27/2024

Application Deadline:

07/18/2024

Agency:

Department of Human Services

Salary Range:

$4,536 - $6,592

Position Type:

Employee

Position Title:

Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (Bilingual in English/Spanish Encouraged)

Job Description:

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are actively working to build an equitable agency with the Equity North Star as our guide toward our vision of an agency free of racism, discrimination and bias. We believe that teams in which everyone can show up as their full authentic self are key to creating a thriving workforce that can better serve communities. We welcome members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQIA2S+ community members, and others to apply.

We are hiring a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC) to join our Vocational Rehabilitation Team St. Helens Oregon serving Columbia County. You will work in St. Helens and serving all of Columbia County so there will be some travel involved in that area.

As a VRC, you will help people with disabilities gain, maintain or advance employment through our rehabilitation process. In this position, you will complete the initial interview and eligibility determination. You will work with the client to develop an employment goal, plan for services and resources necessary to address barriers to employment, and ensure services are provided and/or coordinated with various stakeholders. Apply today!

Bilingual skills in both Spanish and English are encouraged, but not a requirement for this position. This position may receive a 5% differential pay based on passing the required language test. Please indicate in your application materials if you are Bilingual.

Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS), A place to belong and make a difference!

• When you join the ODHS, you join a community of over 10,000 employees dedicated to serving and helping Oregonians achieve wellbeing and independence through opportunities that protect, empower, respect choice, and preserve dignity.

• Connect with ODHS Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and find a place to belong, build community and participate in shared learning. ERGs are employee-driven committees that support each other as well as the ODHS' overall mission and vision.

• We are committed to building an antiracist and equitable agency. Equity is foundational to our role as a human services agency and we are committed to integrating equity into all we do. The Equity North Star has four points that explain the agency's goals related to equity, inclusion, and racial justice.

• We know that life is unpredictable and ODHS cares about keeping you well. Enjoy a work-life balance, 11 paid holidays a year, flexible work schedules, and competitive benefits packages including health, dental, vision and much more!

What you need to qualify

A master's degree in Rehabilitation Counseling OR be certified by either the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification as a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC), the Certified Insurance Rehabilitation Specialist (CIRS), OR the Certification of Disability Management Specialists Commission as a Certified Disability Management Specialist (CDMS), AND six months full-time work experience providing vocational rehabilitation-related services

OR

A master's degree in psychology, counseling, or a field related to vocational rehabilitation (such as one that promotes the physical, psychosocial, or vocational well-being of individuals with disabilities) AND one-year full-time work experience providing vocational rehabilitation-related services

OR

A bachelor's degree in a related field, such as one that promotes the physical, psychosocial, or vocational well-being of individuals with disabilities AND two years of full-time work experience vocational rehabilitation-related services.

There is no direct experience substitute for a bachelor's degree.

Essential attributes

We are looking for candidates with:

• Bilingual English/Spanish Encouraged. Please indicate in your application materials if you are Bilingual.

• Experience working with individuals with behavioral health and/or mental health barriers.

• Experience working with individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities.

• Experience screening, interviewing, and evaluating medical and psychological information to determine potential eligibility for services.

• Experience providing job placement, job coaching, skill assessments, or providing career consultations for consumers.

• Experience providing culturally appropriate services where individuals are treated respectfully, compassionately, and effectively in a manner that recognizes, affirms, and values the worth of individuals and communities, protecting and preserving the dignity of each.

Please be sure to clearly describe how you meet these attributes within your application materials. These attributes will be used to determine which candidates will be selected to move forward in the process.

Your duties at a glance

Vocational Rehabilitation Services

As a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, you will:

• Perform all functions necessary to manage a full caseload and to contribute to VR performance measures.

• Assure that state, federal and agency standards for compliance, timelines, and quality are met for all cases.

• Use automated case management system (ORCA) to enter, update and retrieve client information in a timely and accurate manner.

• Utilize technology and software to complete VR tasks and provide clients services in an efficient and effective manner. This includes but is not limited to virtual meetings, virtual intake platform, and electronic signatures.

• Screen, interview, and evaluate medical and psychological information to determine potential eligibility for services.

• Determine need and coordinate medical and psychological assessments with physicians, psychiatrists, and medical/psychological consultants.

• Schedule aptitude and personality interest tests and interpret results of tests.

• Gather and evaluate pertinent materials to provide necessary vocational counseling and guidance.

• Make determination regarding physical restorative requirements (hearing aids, physical therapy, etc.) necessary for employment; determine training necessary for employability; coordinate closely with other agencies and provide career and vocational counseling to clients.

• Provide direct job placement to consumers including employer incentive services, tax credit vouchers, state certifications, assistive technology, and work site modifications to assist consumers in reaching their employment outcomes.

• Contact local employers to become familiar with local job market.

• Educate local employers about the agency programs, goals, and employment incentives.

• Contact employers to place clients in employment suitable to their needs, such as on-the-job training, supportive work, and selective job placement.

• Represent the agency in the community by maintaining working relationships with a broad range of organizations and by attending community events.

• Contribute to integration of VR services with community partners by providing collaborative case management, consultation and liaison activities with brokerages, mental health providers and supported employment programs.

Working conditions

• Majority of your work will be conducted in the office. After 6 months, you may have some opportunities for hybrid work condition, but this will need to be discussed with and approved by your manager.

• You will work in St. Helens and serving all of Columbia County so there will be some travel involved in that area.

• Daily, work with a diverse group of program participants who have physical, mental and/or emotional disabilities.

• Travel may be required to meet business needs or to attend employee training classes.

• Work in an environment with frequent interruptions due to phone calls, and staff or client needs.

• You may interact with a wide range of people including some who have experienced trauma and exhibit challenges with their emotional response.

• Reasonable accommodations per the ADA or creative solutions in certain cases may be used to complete essential functions of the job.

Application instructions & requirements

Your work history profile or resume are the perfect opportunity to highlight your interest in the position and demonstrate your skills, lived and/or work experience that shows you are an excellent candidate for the position.

• Please upload a resume or complete the work history profile.

• Current State of Oregon employees: Apply via your employee Workday account.

• If you are not a current State of Oregon employee, view this application instructional video.

• After you submit your application, you will have additional tasks to complete in Workday. Please continue to check your Workday account throughout the recruitment process.

Additional requirements

• Finalists for this position will be subject to a computerized criminal history and abuse check. Adverse background information will be reviewed and could result in withdrawal of a conditional job offer or termination of employment.

• The Oregon Department of Human Services does not offer visa sponsorship. Within three days of hire, you will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security's I-9 form confirming authorization to work in the United States. ODHS will use E-Verify to confirm that you are authorized to work in the United States.

• Must possess a valid driver's license and acceptable driving record to use state vehicles.

Helpful information

• This position is represented by the Union (SEIU).

• This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies.

• Have questions about Workday, and want some tips on understanding the state application process? Check out our Oregon job opportunities page.

• If you need an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), have questions or need assistance with the application process or have questions about the job duties or application process, please contact, Marina.Nieblas@odhs.oregon.gov via email. Please be sure to include the job requisition number.