1 Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor 4 (In-Training) for Thurston, Kitsap, or Calallam County Job in Lacey, WA

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Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor 4 (In-Training) for Thurston, Kitsap, or Calallam County

State of Washington Dept. of Services for the...

Lacey, WA | Full Time

$67k-81k (estimate)

1 Month Ago

Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor 4 (In-Training) for Thurston, Kitsap, or Calallam County

$67k-81k (estimate)

Full Time 1 Month Ago

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State of Washington Dept. of Services for the... is Hiring a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor 4 (In-Training) for Thurston, Kitsap, or Calallam County Near Lacey, WA

Description

**Contact Information:
Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.

For questions about this recruitment or to request a reasonable accommodation in the application process, contact George Deguzman at (360) 407-7918 or email jobs@des.wa.gov.
NOTE: This position is served out of the Lacey DSB Office and supports Kitsap, Jefferson, and Clallam counties. There are available options for duty station/office location in either Lacey, Sequim, or Bremerton areas. The typical work week is a standard 40-hour work week and may need occasional adjusting in order to meet the participant’s need. Our business hours are 8am to 5pm Monday-Thursday, however, we promote a healthy work/life balance, including alternative/flexible schedules and hybrid work options upon supervisor approval. This position requires some travel, potentially to participant’s homes and partnering agencies, and occasional overnight travel for meetings and/or training.
Who We Are:
The goal of the Washington State Department of Services for the Blind (DSB) is to assist in the stable employment and increased independence of Blind, Deaf Blind and Low Vision customers. DSB provides training, counseling, and support to help Washington residents of all ages, who have a visual disability to pursue employment, education, and independent living. Our goal is "Inclusion, Independence, and Economic Vitality for People with Visual Disabilities."
What You Will Be Doing:
As a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor 4 at DSB, your primary objective is to empower and support individuals who are Blind, Deaf Blind, and Low Vision, many of whom face additional disabilities, in achieving greater independence and securing stable employment. In this pivotal role, you will serve as a facilitator in identifying and securing essential rehabilitation services to facilitate participants' success in attaining independence and employment. You will collaborate closely with a diverse team of professionals, working within a multi-disciplinary vocational rehabilitation and independent living framework to deliver comprehensive rehabilitation services to visually impaired and blind adults. As a VRC4, your exceptional counseling skills will shine as you adeptly address the unique rehabilitation needs of your caseload. Additionally, you will play a vital role in training other professional staff, both locally and at the statewide level, as the need arises, contributing to the ongoing success of our mission to promote independence and stable employment for individuals with visual impairments.

Duties

Some of What You’ll Enjoy Doing Includes:

Independently address specialized vocational rehabilitation needs of blind, low vision, and deaf blind clients.
Comply with state and federal guidelines, meet deadlines, and maintain accurate documentation.
Guide clients through the rehabilitation process, focusing on adjustment to blindness and secondary disabilities.
Inform clients about their appeal rights and active participation responsibilities.
Identify and develop external community resources and establish collaborative relationships with Worksource/One Stop centers.
Manage case flow, coordinate services, monitor progress, and adjust vocational plans as needed, facilitating client placement into competitive and integrated employment, while maintaining employer relationships and budget management.
Document customer activities in the electronic management system and conduct initial assessment interviews for service applications.
Conduct extensive community outreach for a continuous referral supply and secure necessary medical and other documentation.
Manage and synthesize data for comprehensive vocational assessments, verifying employment and future needs, while facilitating staff training and mentoring.
Provide peer training, collaborate on program development, and advise the Regional Area Manager on case services and employer issues within the assigned territory.
Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

This position may be filled at the Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor 1 (VRC1), Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor 2 (VRC2), Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor 3 (VRC3) or Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor 4 (VRC4) level, depending on qualifications. Advancement to the next level will be based upon the successful completion of an established In-Training Plan.
What is an in-training plan?The in-training is intended to provide an opportunity for an individual to gain the required experience on the job as part of a formal “in-training” plan. Upon successful completion of an in-training program, the incumbent will move up to the next job classification that is listed on the in-training plan if applicable.
Required Qualifications for Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor 1 (VRC1)
To qualify for this specific VRC1-level position, a candidate must possess the following:

[OPTION 1]: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major field of study in vocational rehabilitation counseling, social work, psychology, disability studies, business administration, human resources, special education, supported employment, customized employment, economics, or another field that reasonably prepares individuals to work with consumers and employers; AND One (1) year of experience consisting of:
- Direct work with individuals with disabilities in a setting such as an independent living center;
- Direct service or advocacy activities that provide such individual with experience and skills in working with individuals with disabilities; or
- Direct experience as an employer, as a small business owner or operator, or in self-employment, or other experience in human resources, recruitment, or experience in supervising employees, training, or other activities that provide experience in competitive integrated employment environments.
[OPTION 2]: Master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling, 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). The following Master's degrees would qualify:
- Rehabilitation Counseling
- Psychology with an emphasis/major concentration of coursework in one (1) of the following areas: Clinical Psychology, Counseling Psychology, Educational Psychology, and School Psychology
- Social Work
- Marriage and Family Therapy
- Marriage, Family and Child Counseling
- Counseling, regardless of emphasis
- Education with an emphasis/major concentration of coursework in one (1) of the following areas: Rehabilitation Counseling, Special Education, Educational Counseling, Counseling and Guidance, Mental Health Counseling, Community Counseling, or School Counseling
[OPTION 3]: Master's degree with at least 18 quarter or 12 semester credit hours containing:
- One (1) graduate course with primary focus on the Theories and Techniques of Counseling
- Three (3) graduate courses, each with a primary focus in one (1) of the following areas: Occupational Information, Job Development and Placement, Medical Aspects of Disabilities, Foundations of Rehabilitation, Psychological Aspects of Disabilities, and Personal and Vocational Adjustment
- Two (2) graduate courses, each with a primary focus in one (1) of the following areas: Assessment, Research Methodology, Vocational and Career Development, Community Resources, and Case Management

**Incumbents must be currently accepted or enrolled in an accredited graduate school to obtain one of the Master’s degrees specified below). Upon obtaining one of these degrees or certification as a Rehabilitation Counselor by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC), the VRC1 will promote to a VRC2 based on successful completion of the VRC1 Training Plan, or the VRC1 will promote directly to a VRC 3 if they have 3 years’ qualifying experience.
Required Qualifications for Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor 2, 3, or 4 (VRC2, VRC3, or VRC4)
To qualify for this specific VRC2, VRC3, or VRC4 position, a candidate must possess one (1) of the following options:

[OPTION 1]: A current Certification as a Rehabilitation Counselor by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC)
[OPTION 2]:Master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling, 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). The following Master's degrees would qualify:
- Rehabilitation Counseling
- Psychology with an emphasis/major concentration of coursework in one (1) of the following areas: Clinical Psychology, Counseling Psychology, Educational Psychology, and School Psychology
- Social Work
- Marriage and Family Therapy
- Marriage, Family and Child Counseling
- Counseling, regardless of emphasis
- Education with an emphasis/major concentration of coursework in one (1) of the following areas: Rehabilitation Counseling, Special Education, Educational Counseling, Counseling and Guidance, Mental Health Counseling, Community Counseling, or School Counseling
[OPTION 3]: Master's degree with at least 18 quarter or 12 semester credit hours containing:
- One (1) graduate course with primary focus on the Theories and Techniques of Counseling
- Three (3) graduate courses, each with a primary focus in one (1) of the following areas: Occupational Information, Job Development and Placement, Medical Aspects of Disabilities, Foundations of Rehabilitation, Psychological Aspects of Disabilities, and Personal and Vocational Adjustment
- Two (2) graduate courses, each with a primary focus in one (1) of the following areas: Assessment, Research Methodology, Vocational and Career Development, Community Resources, Case Management, and Delivery of Rehabilitation Services

To qualify for this specific VRC2, VRC3, or VRC4 position, a candidate must also possess:
Two (2) years of paid experience for the VRC2 position, Three (3) years of paid experience for the VRC3 position, and Four (4) years of paid experience for the VRC4 position as a vocational rehabilitation counselor or similar paid experience in vocational counseling, job placement, vocational assessment, or other areas of rehabilitation counseling. One (1) year of the paid experience may be substituted with unpaid experience consisting of:

Direct work with individuals with disabilities in a setting such as an independent living center;
Direct service or advocacy activities that provide such individuals with experience and skills in working with individuals with disabilities; or
Direct experience as an employer, as a small business owner or operator, or in self-employment, or other experience in human resources, recruitment, or experience in supervising employees, training, or other activities that provide experience in competitive integrated employment environments.

The salary ranges for each level of the position is as follows:

Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor 1: ($3,974 - $5,341)
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor 2: ($4,385 - $5,900)
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor 3: ($4,602 - $6,198)
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor 4: ($5,088 - $6,838)

Preferred/Desired Qualifications:

Knowledge of and ability to teach alternative strategies and techniques used for orientation and mobility by individuals who are blind or have low vision.
Knowledge of low vision, aids, and use of functional vision strategies used by individuals with low vision.
Knowledge of adaptive aids used for independent travel and their resources.
Knowledge of adaptive note-taking aids and strategies used by individuals who are blind or have low vision.
Knowledge of common eye diseases leading to blindness and its impact on functional vision.
Knowledge of major secondary disabilities and their impact on an individual’s functioning and abilities to learn.
Knowledge of the basic alternative skills and strategies used by blind and visually impaired people.
Knowledge of national and local resources for blind and visually impaired people.
Knowledge of federal and state laws affecting services and rights of people with disabilities such as the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, etc.

Supplemental Information

Please provide the following documents in order to be considered; failure to do so may result in you not being considered for the position:

A letter of interest, describing how you meet the qualifications for this position as outlined in the job posting;
A current resume, detailing experience, and education; and
A current list of at least three (3) professional references with current contact information (attached or available to provide at the time of interview)

NOTE: By submitting these materials, you are indicating that all information is true and correct. The state may verify information. Any untruthful or misleading information is cause for removal from the applicant pool or dismissal if employed. A resume will not substitute for completing the “duties summary” section of the application. Please do not refer to resume for detail, or your application may be disqualified.
Conditions of employment:
Background Check Notice:Prior to any new appointment into the Department of Services for the Blind, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment, but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.
Union Inclusion:
This position is included in a bargaining unit represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE).
Opportunity for All:
The Department of Services for the Blind celebrates our differences and we are committed to a workplace that supports equal opportunity employment and inclusion regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, marital status, families with children (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sex, sexual orientation, gender identity diversity, age, status as a protected veteran, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as an individual with the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with disabilities or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We will also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws.

You are welcome to include the name and pronoun you would like to be referred to in your materials and we will honor this as you interact with our organization.