[Job-Listings] FW: King County - Seattle – Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor 4 (In-Training)

[Kris Colcock]

>
> https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/4374353/vocational-rehabilitation-counselor-4-in-training

Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor 4 (In-Training)
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Salary
$3,974.00 - $6,838.00 Monthly
Location Location King County - Seattle – Other, WA
King County - Seattle – Other, WA
Job Type
Full Time - Permanent
Job Number
2024-DSB-002
Department
Dept. of Services for the Blind
Opening Date
02/01/2024
Closing Date
2/18/2024 11:59 PM Pacific
Salary Information
The high end of the salary range, Step M is typically a longevity step
DESCRIPTION
BENEFITS
QUESTIONS

Description
An image without 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 Jowi Deguzman at
(360) 407-7918 or email jobs at des.wa.gov.

NOTE: The ability to travel is required for this role. Additionally,
the salary listed does not include the added 5% premium pay for King
County for this position.

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]: 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).
• [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]: 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)
• [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