Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor

Job posting closes/applications accepted through: Open Until Filled

Kansas Department for Children and Families | www.dcf.ks.gov

Vocational Rehabilitation Services

Kansas City Region / Overland Park

Position Summary & Responsibilities

The Kansas Department for Children and Families is hiring innovators and leaders. If you believe people have the capacity to progress, succeed, grow, and do well in life, you can discover your purpose here! Find more than just a job with DCF. You can be part of the growth and opportunity for our team to help serve the individuals and families in your community. Thrive With Us and find your career and purpose!

This is an advanced professional counseling position to empower people with disabilities to achieve employment as the avenue to self-sufficiency, independence, inclusion, economic equality, and integration into society. The position supports individuals with disabilities to identify their job-related goals and to develop individual plans for employment. The counselor provides or purchases a comprehensive variety of services, which may include training, physical/mental restoration, assistive technology, supported employment, and job placement. This position also provides significant counseling and guidance to help persons served identify their strengths and abilities; adjust to disability; exercise informed choice; maintain progress through their individual plans; and understand labor market trends and employment opportunities.

Qualifications

Education: *If a degree is required, candidates will be required to submit a copy of transcripts showing proof of graduation or degree obtained to their recruiter following interviews.* A bachelor’s degree in a field of study reasonably related to vocational rehabilitation, to indicate a level of competency and skill demonstrating basic preparation in a field of study such as 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 demonstrated paid or unpaid experience, for not less than one year, consisting of—

(i) Direct work with individuals with disabilities in a setting such as an independent living center: or

(ii) Direct service or advocacy activities that provide such individual with experience and skills in working with individuals with disabilities; or

(iii) Direct experience in competitive integrated employment environments as an employer, as a small business owner or operator, or in self-employment, or other experience in human resources or recruitment, or experience in supervising employees, training, or other activities.

Additional education requirement for minimum Standards: Candidates selected under the Minimum Standards will be required to complete additional graduate level courses within five years of their employment start date, as follows: (minimum of SEVEN graduate courses):

• Priority to complete: ONE integrated OR TWO separate graduate courses with the primary focus on Theories of Counseling AND Techniques of Counseling
• Priority to complete (medical and psychosocial aspects): TWO with the individual or combined primary focus on 1) Medical Aspects of Disabilities; 2) Psychosocial Aspects of Disabilities; AND 3) Multicultural Issues
• ONE on Foundations of Rehabilitation Counseling
• ONE on Assessment
• ONE on Occupational Information OR Job Placement
• ONE on Case Management AND Rehabilitation Services

Standard #3- A master’s or doctorate degree in Counseling, Rehabilitation Psychology, Counseling Psychology, or Clinical Social Work plus the additional education requirements described below: or

Standard #4- A master’s or doctorate in one of the following closely related fields, majors or disciplines plus the additional education requirements described below:

Behavioral Health

Behavioral Science

Business Administration

Clinical Social Work

Counseling

Counseling Psychology

Disability Studies

Education

Human Relations

Human Resources

Human Services

Law

Management

Marriage and Family Therapy

Occupational Therapy

Psychology

Psychometrics

Public Administration

Rehabilitation Administration/Services

Rehabilitation Psychology

Social Work

Special Education

Vocational Assessment/Evaluation

Additional education requirements for Standard #3 and #4: Candidates selected under Standards 3 and 4 will be required to complete additional graduate level courses within three years of their employment start date, as follows:

•One integrated or two separate courses in the Theories of Counseling and the Techniques of Counseling; and

•One integrated or two separate courses in the Medical Aspects of Disability and the Psychosocial Aspects of Disability.

Minimum Qualifications: *If a driver’s license is required, a copy must be uploaded with your application. * Valid Driver License throughout employment.

Post-Offer, Pre-employment Requirements:

Security Clearance: A background check (KBI - criminal background, welfare fraud, driver's license and Child/Adult Abuse and Neglect Central Registry) is required for all positions with the Department for Children and Families (DCF) as a condition of employment, which may include fingerprinting and FBI check. Security clearance must be obtained prior to employment with DCF. Must maintain security clearance throughout employment.

Kansas Tax Clearance Certificate: A valid Kansas Tax Clearance Certificate is a condition of employment for all employees of the State of Kansas. Applicants (including non-residents) who receive a formal job offer for a State job, are required to obtain a valid Tax Clearance within ten (10) days of the job offer. A Tax Clearance can be obtained through the Kansas Department of Revenue who reviews individual accounts for compliance with Kansas Tax Law.

If you have a missing tax return(s) or you owe taxes to the State of Kansas, please know that the Kansas Department of Revenue will work with you. The Kansas Department of Revenue can set you up on a payment plan to receive a Tax Clearance so you can get a job working for the State of Kansas. The Kansas Department of Revenue can be contacted at 785-296-3199.

Kansas Department of Revenue - Tax Clearance Frequently Asked Questions

Equal Employment Opportunity

The State of Kansas is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, political affiliation, disability or any other factor unrelated to the essential functions of the job.

If you wish to identify yourself as a qualified person with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and would like to request an accommodation, please address the request to the agency recruiter.

E-Verify: DCF participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

For more information on State of Kansas employment opportunities and benefits, visit the State of Kansas Career Portal at www.jobs.ks.gov.