Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor

Important Recruitment Information for this vacancy

Job Posting closes: Open Until Filled

Required documents (as listed in Qualifications and Required Documents sections) must be uploaded by close date. Incomplete applications may not be considered.

Agency Information

Kansas Department for Children and Families |

Vocational Rehabilitation Services

Kansas City Region / Negotiable Statewide

About the Position

Who can apply: External

Classified/Unclassified Service: Unclassified

Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-Time

Regular/Temporary: Regular

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday

Eligible to Receive Benefits: Yes

Veterans' Preference Eligible: Yes

Compensation: $ $49,649.60 Annually. Salary may be dependent upon the candidate's qualifications and experience.

Employment Benefits

In addition to the starting salary, the State of Kansas offers a significant benefits package that is available the first day of employment. All benefits eligible, full-time employees may elect to enroll in:

• Health Insurance including medical, dental, vision (plus optional partner/dependent coverage at reduced cost)
• Creation of and contribution to your personal KPERS defined Retirement benefit
• 9-10 paid, annual holidays
• 12 paid, annual vacation days
• 12 paid, annual sick days
• 1 paid Discretionary Day
• Your personal life insurance policy equal to 150% of your starting salary
• This benefits package represents additional annual compensation.

Visit the Employee Benefits page for more information.

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

The Engagement Counselor conducts thorough counseling interviews with individuals with disabilities to gather information regarding their medical and family history, social functioning, education, work experience, self-perception, attitudes, financial resources, and vocational interests. This assessment helps determine the client's employment-related assets and barriers. They collaborate with medical professionals and vocational assessment experts to obtain the necessary diagnostic services, including medical, psychological, and vocational evaluations, to inform eligibility determinations. The Engagement Counselor also explains agency services, eligibility guidelines, and client rights and responsibilities. They collect and analyze medical, psychological, and vocational records to assess the nature and severity of disabilities and functional limitations. If clarification is needed, the counselor confers with the RS Manager and relevant medical professionals. The counselor ensures that eligibility determinations are made promptly, documenting the impairment's impact on employment and the need for vocational rehabilitation services to enable the client to achieve and maintain gainful employment. Additionally, the counselor completes a comprehensive analysis of the client's functional limitations, required services, and anticipated service length to assign an appropriate priority category for Order of Selection and potential waiting lists. This process is subject to review by the Quality Assurance team, Data Administrator, Deputy Directors and Director to ensure compliance with policies and procedures. The Engagement Counselor is also responsible for processing authorizations for necessary services and ensuring that all required documentation for eligibility determination is accurately completed and in compliance with state and federal guidelines, while maintaining financial accountability. This may include traveling to meet with clients for initial interviews when necessary.

View the full position description:

Qualifications

Education: *If a degree is required, a transcript showing proof of graduation or degree obtained is required to be uploaded with your application. Transcript copies are required with application if a degree is listed as a minimum qualification *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.

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

Kansas Department of Revenue - Tax Clearance Frequently Asked Questions

Recruiter Contact Information

Email:

Please reference Job ID Number: 218914

Job Application Process

First Sign in or register as a New User.

Complete or update your contact information on the Careers> My Contact Information page. *This information is included on all your job applications.

Upload required documents listed below for the Careers> My Job Applications page. *This information is included on all your job applications.

Start your draft job application, upload other required documents, and Submit when it is complete.

Manage your draft and submitted applications on the Careers> My Job Applications page.

Check your email and My Job Notifications for written communications from the Recruiter.

Email – sent to the Preferred email on the My Contact Information page

Notifications – view the Careers> My Job Notifications page

Helpful Resources at : "How to Apply for a Job – Instructions" and "How to Search for a Job – Instructions"

Required Documents* for this Application to be Complete

Upload these on the Careers - My Job Applications page

• State of Kansas online application
• Resume
• Cover letter
• Legible copy of valid driver's license (if driver's license is required)
• Transcripts** (if educational requirements are listed for this position)
  
  **If degree is a requirement listed, transcript must show proof of graduation or degree obtained.
• DD214 (if you are claiming Veteran's Preference)
• Required documents must be uploaded by close date. Incomplete applications may not be considered.

Helpful Resources at : "How, What, & Where do I Upload Documents".

How to Claim Veterans Preference

Veterans' Preference Eligible (VPE): Former military personnel or their spouse that have been verified as a "veteran"; under K.S.A will receive an interview if they meet the minimum competency factors of the position. The veterans' preference laws do not guarantee the veteran a job. Positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determined by the hiring manager.

Learn more about claiming Veteran's Preference

How to Claim Disability Hiring Preference

Applicants that have physical, cognitive and/or mental disabilities may claim an employment preference when applying for positions. If they are qualified to meet the performance standards of the position, with or without a reasonable accommodation, they will receive an interview for the position. The preference does not guarantee an applicant the job, as positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determined by the hiring manager.

Learn more about claiming Disability Hiring Preference

PLEASE NOTE: The documentation verifying a person's eligibility for use of this preference should not be sent along with other application materials to the hiring agency but should be sent directly to OPS. These documents should be sent either by fax to , scanned and emailed to , or can be mailed/delivered in person to:

ATTN: Disability Hiring Preference Coordinator

Office of Personnel Services

Landon State Office Building

900 SW Jackson, Rm 401

Topeka, KS 66612

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.

Salary : $49,449 - $109,248