Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor/Trainee - #Bvi00040, Bvi00071

Title: Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor/Trainee - #BVI00040, BVI00071

State Role Title: Counselor II

Hiring Range: Please see notation within job description.

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Dept for Blind/Vision Impaired

Location: Blind & Vision Impaired

Agency Website: https://www.dbvi.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Do you enjoy working with a passionate company that enjoys helping others? Then this is the job for you!

Job Duties:

"Previous applicants need not reapply"

The Virginia Dept for the Blind and Vision Impaired (DBVI) is seeking to fill two Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor/Trainees to provide Vocational Rehabilitation Services to eligible individuals who are blind, visually impaired, and/ or deafblind in order to facilitate competitive and integrated employment outcomes.

To provide vocational guidance and counseling, to determine applicants' eligibility for vocational rehabilitation services, and to plan, develop, implement, and manage a vocationally focused Individualized Plan for Employment for eligible individuals resulting in successful employment outcomes.

The agency has the option of filling this job at the Counselor I (Trainee) level if fully qualified applicants are interviewed and not selected. The minimum for a Counselor I (Trainee) is $47,000. The minimum for a Counselor II (fully qualified) is $53,500.

Minimum Qualifications:

Master's degree in Rehabilitation Counseling or closely related field required. Transcripts must accompany the application and they MUST display the date that the degree was awarded. Applicants who are within a semester of completion of a master's degree in Rehabilitation Counseling or a closely related field will be considered if the application is accompanied by a transcript that verifies the anticipated graduation date.

To be considered as a Counselor I (Trainee), individuals must have a bachelor's degree in a human services or related field and applicable work experience. An individual hired as a Counselor Trainee will be required to sign a Conditions of Employment and must enroll within six months of being hired in an academic program to obtain a master's degree in Rehabilitation Counseling or a closely related field.

Demonstrated knowledge of theory, principles, and practices of rehabilitation guidance and counseling, interviewing, evaluation techniques, psycho-social assessment, medical terminology, crisis intervention, conflict resolution, behavioral management, career exploration/development, job placement, case management, rehabilitation/assistive technology, and alternative techniques that enhance the independence of blind or visually impaired individuals.

Additional Considerations:

Demonstrated ability to:

• Understand tests and their measurements, validity, reliability, and statistical procedures.

• To understand barriers to employment, regional labor market, employment trends, occupational skill requirements, community resources' criteria and procedures, diversity factors, economic development resources, job analyses, procurement practices, school to work transition, Social Security Administration guidelines and work incentives, and the Americans with Disability Act.

• Manage a caseload, meet multi-tasked job demands, represent the agency in a variety of settings, function without close daily supervision, set daily schedule, integrate and effectively use data.

• Effectively make presentations to groups.

Demonstrated skills to &/in:

• Arrange and interpret diagnostic evaluations, apply counseling theories and principles, apply program, agency, and state policies and procedures.

• Communication to establish effective relationships with individuals, the public, and agency staff.

Current CRC credential or eligible to sit for CRC preferred.

Special Instructions:

Master's and/or bachelor's level transcripts or copy of current certification, if applicable, must accompany the application. Please note that the transcripts must display the date that the degree was awarded.

• This has been designated a sensitive position under Va. Code § 2.2-1201.1.

• A fingerprint-based criminal history check will be required of the finalist candidate.

• The selected candidate must complete a Statement of Personal Economic Interests as a condition of employment (Va. Code § 2.2-3114)

Contact Information:

Name: Human Resources

Email: recruitment@dars.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth's commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.