Vocational/Transitional Rehabilitation Counselor (Austin-Hiring Event)

In-Person Hiring Event being held July 22, 2024 - July 26, 2024.

The Vocational Rehabilitation Division at the Texas Workforce Commission is looking to fill multiple Vocational and Transitional Rehabilitation Counselor positions.

All candidates will be emailed a questionnaire beforehand to complete in order for the hiring manager to determine who to invite in for the interview.

Selected candidates will be invited to an In-Person Interview at our location near the state capitol in Austin.

Potential conditional offers could be made that day! More information will be included in the email invitation.

Apply quickly because this 10-day posting closes on July 5, 2024.

Copy of official transcripts, certifications, and/or credentials can be uploaded when you apply to this posting.

Please read more about who we are, what you'll do, and what you'll gain below.

The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), a Family Friendly Certified Workplace, is seeking Transitional and Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors (T/VRC) I - Sr T/VRC to join the Vocational Rehabilitation Division.

Benefits to working for TWC include:

• Competitive starting salary: $3,385.00- $4,904.00/month.

• Salary and position level will be based on experience and demonstrated skills.

• This is a career ladder position which means each level is required to meet the established career ladder requirements in order to be promoted to the next level.

• Additional benefits for active employees: https://www.ers.texas.gov/Active-Employees/Health-Benefits.

The Transition and Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (T/VRC) I - Sr T/VRC perform routine to senior-level vocational rehabilitation work in support of the mission, goals, and values of the Texas Workforce Commission. T/VRC I - Sr T/VRC applies critical thinking skills and sound decision making in performance of routine rehabilitation work in the Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) program. This program assists eligible individuals with disabilities to prepare for, retain, obtain and/or advance in competitive, integrated employment and includes assisting students with disabilities to transition successfully from high school to postsecondary education and employment.

The Transitional Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (TVRC) caseload consists of students with disabilities while the Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC) caseload consists of adults with disabilities.

GENERAL DUTIES:

• Assists eligible individuals with disabilities to prepare for, retain, obtain and/or advance in competitive, integrated employment and includes assisting students with disabilities to transition successfully from high school to postsecondary education and employment

• Develops and maintains relations with community referral sources, businesses, employers, and schools

• Collects and analyzes all information necessary to make an accurate eligibility decision (e.g., medical, psychological, school records, employment records, etc.)

• Assists the customer in choosing an appropriate employment by analyzing information to determine the customer's strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, and interests, and matching that information to the current job market

• Works with the consumer/ student to develop a plan of services designed to achieve the consumer's identified employment goals

• Creates and maintains student records and performs case load management

• Ensures timely, cost-effective provision of services and consumer/ student progress toward eventual achievement of their employment goal

• Develops and implements a process leading to successful job placement

• Applies best value purchasing practices and uses available, comparable benefits and services to ensure effective use of public funds

• Develops referral sources, maintains resource information, and obtains appropriate referrals to reach blind or visually impaired students

• Participates with the local education agencies and families of students to support students acquiring the necessary academic skills, work skills, and life skills to be independent and successful

• Performs other duties as assigned

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master's degree with major in Rehabilitation Counseling or Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling from an accredited college or university;

• OR master's degree with major in counseling or related degrees such as Special Education, Social Work, Psychology, or Human Services from an accredited college or university plus one-year related work experience.

• OR Master's degree with any other major plus two years related work experience;

• OR Bachelor's degree with a major in vocational rehabilitation from an accredited college or university plus one-year related work experience;

• OR Bachelor's degree with major in Counseling, Education, Social Work, Sociology, Psychology, or Public Health from an accredited college or university plus two years related work experience;

• OR Bachelor's degree with any other major plus three years related work experience.

• Related work experience is defined as case management, counseling, job placement and general knowledge of disabilities.

• No experience required if candidate meets Comprehensive System of Personnel Development (CSPD).

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• T/VRC I: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in social work, rehabilitation, or a related field.

• T/VRC II: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in social work, rehabilitation, or a related field plus one year of experience in vocational rehabilitation services.

• T/VRC III: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in social work, rehabilitation, or a related field plus three years of experience in vocational rehabilitation services.

• T/VRC IV: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in social work, rehabilitation, or a related field plus five years of experience in vocational rehabilitation services plus meet the Comprehensive System of Personnel Development (CSPD) educational requirements.

• Sr T/VRC: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in social work, rehabilitation, or a related field plus six years of experience in vocational rehabilitation services plus meet the Comprehensive Systems of Personnel Development (CSPD) educational requirements.

All levels:

Experience as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor cited above must be in accordance with the career ladder requirements of the agency.

Related work experience is defined as case management, counseling, job placement and general knowledge of disabilities.

Applicants selected who do not have a master's degree in Rehabilitation Counseling, CRC certificate or LPC credential will be required to meet the CSPD educational requirements within a time frame established upon employment. This will entail taking specific courses that focus on the professional role of a Rehabilitation Counselor.

Travel is required for this position. It involves up to 30% travel for VRC and 70% of travel for TVRC, and the method of transportation is the responsibility of employee. Counselors are required to travel to reach their assigned consumers on a regular basis. Duties also include the ability to lift/carry 10 pounds.

VETERANS:

Use your military skills to qualify for this position or other jobs! Go to www.texasskillstowork.com to translate your military work experience and training courses into civilian job terms, qualifications and skill sets. Also, you can compare this position to military occupations (MOS) at the Texas State Auditor's Office by pasting this link into your browser: http://www.hr.sao.texas.gov/Compensation/MilitaryCrosswalk/MOSC_SocialServices.pdf.

HOW TO APPLY:

• To be considered, please complete a State of Texas Application for Employment and apply online at www.workintexas.com or in Taleo.

• Applicants must be legally authorized to work for ANY employer in the United States. We will not consider applicants that will need sponsorship now or in the future.

• In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.

• A position utilizing this classification will be designated as security sensitive according to the Texas Labor Code, Section 301.042.