DSHS DVR Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor 4

Description

Are you a leader with a passion for assisting people with disabilities by providing vocational rehabilitation services to assist them in obtaining and maintaining employment? Join the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) and our hard-working team of professionals -Regional Transition Consultants (RTCs) around the provision of Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS). Motivated people committed to providing vocational rehabilitation services to clients with disabilities are encouraged to apply. You will support and lead other DVR staff in serving clients by serving an RTC.

In this role you will work to coordinate and support the provision of Pre-ETS for students in your designated region. This opportunity will be flexible / hybrid, meaning office attendance at a duty station near you will be required to successfully complete this job.

Some of what you will do as a Regional Transition Consultant:

• Provide consultation and training to VR Supervisors, and VR Counselors who have liaison assignments with local High Schools, local School District administrators and personnel, and other participating agencies that provide Pre-Employment Transition Services to students and youth with disabilities.
• Initiate and maintain inter-local agreements with designated local School Districts to ensure successful delivery and coordination Pre-Employment Transition Services, to students with disabilities.
• Initiate and monitor contracts for the provision of Pre-Employment Transition Services.
• Schedule and attend quarterly meetings with contractors to interview their providers and students they serve, as well as review reports that contractors submit with invoices to assure fulfillment of required deliverables.
• Develop outreach methods and procedures to expand the delivery of Pre-Employment Transition Services.
• Provide Pre-Employment Transition Services that are general in nature to groups of students with disabilities in coordination with other DVR staff and contractors.
• Participate in statewide, area, and unit staff meetings, classes, workshops, agency training opportunities, professional workshops, and conferences.

What we are looking for:

• Advanced knowledge of and the ability to explain DVR service delivery policies, procedures, and practices required for the delivery of Secondary School Transition Services and/or Pre-Employment Transition Services, including relevant requirements of the federal Rehabilitation Act and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
• Demonstrated effective leadership practices.
• Knowledge of the expectations of employers who hire students with disabilities.
• Ability to manage multiple and competing priorities within prescribed timeframes.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in written and oral presentations.
• Ability to use office computer technology, and applications specific to DVR.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with local School Districts, contractors, and community partners, as well as students with disabilities and their parents or guardians, and colleagues.
• Ability to effectively provide Pre-Employment Transition Services that are general in nature to groups of students with disabilities.

Who should apply?

Professionals with:

Current certification as a Rehabilitation Counselor by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC).

Or

A 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).

Or

A master’s degree with at least 18 quarter or 12 semester credit hours in rehabilitation counseling courses.

And

4 years of paid experience as a vocational rehabilitation counselor or similar paid experience in vocational counseling, job placement, vocational assessment, teaching at the secondary or post-secondary educational levels, or other areas of rehabilitation counseling. This experience may be gained either before or after obtaining the qualifying education or CRCC certification.

1 year of paid experience may be substituted with unpaid experience consisting of:

• Working with individuals with disabilities in a setting such as an independent living center; or
• Providing direct service or advocacy activities that provide such individuals with experience and skills in working with individuals with disabilities; or
• Experience as an employer, self-employment, human resources, recruitment, supervisory, or other activities that provide competitive integrated employment environments to individuals with disabilities.

Click here for a complete list of alternate desirable qualifications. This job is classified as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor 4 (VRC4).

The Department of Social and Health Services’ (DSHS) vision that people find human services to shape their own lives requires that we come together with a sense of belonging, common purpose, shared values, and meaningful work. It is crucial to our agency’s vision that you bring an equity, anti-racism, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to create greater access and affirming representation of the communities we serve, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, people with physical, behavioral health, and intellectual disabilities, elders, LGBTQIA+ individuals, immigrants and refugees, and families building financial security.

Questions about this opportunity? Please contact Jill Ranft at jill.ranft@dshs.wa.gov and reference project number 03765.

Supplemental Information

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history may 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 job. This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver’s license. Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle.

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any area of employment, its programs or services on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, marital status, race, creed, color, national origin, religion or beliefs, political affiliation, military status, honorably discharged veteran, Vietnam Era, recently separated or other protect­ed veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, equal pay or genetic information. Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruiter at (360) 725-5810. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.

E-Verify® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security

More than Just a Paycheck!

Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That’s why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits:

The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.

Insurance Benefits

Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation

State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems’ web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security

All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays

Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.

Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Sick Leave

Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.

Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)

Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.

Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.

Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

As provided in WAC 357-58-175, an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.

Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.

Military Leave

Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Bereavement Leave

Most employees whose family member or household member dies, are entitled to three (3) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.

Additional Leave

Leave Sharing

Parental Leave

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Leave Without Pay

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

Updated 12-31-2022

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