[nfbwatlk] FW: VRC Deaf-Blind position available

[Nightingale, Noel]

From: Elizabeth Bass [mailto:ebass at seattledbsc.org]
Sent: Monday, June 10, 2013 3:10 PM
To: Elizabeth Bass
Subject: VRC Deaf-Blind position available

This job posting is being forwarded to you from DBSC. If you have questions, please contact Erin Ross at Erin.Ross at dshs.wa.gov<mailto:Erin.Ross at dshs.wa.gov>.

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Job posting for VRC 4 Deaf-Blind position with the DVR at the Mercer St. office (Downtown Seattle/Queen Anne).  Please spread the word and encourage qualified candidates to apply for this position.  Hope to see a deaf-blind individual working for this position.

The job information is posted below OR you can visit the website at:
http://agency.governmentjobs.com/washington/job_bulletin.cfm?JobID=665778
Job posting ID #: 06062 / Closing date: 6/21/2013

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State of Washington
Dept. of Social and Health Services
invites applications for the position of:
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor 4 - Deaf, Deaf/Blind Specialist (TR) 2013-06062

SALARY:  $3,614.00 - $4,741.00 Monthly

OPENING DATE: 06/07/13

CLOSING DATE: 06/21/13 05:00 PM

DESCRIPTION: Washington State Department of Social and Health Services

Our Vision is: Safe, healthy individuals, families and communities

Our Mission is: The Department of Social and Health Services will improve the safety and health of individuals, families and communities by providing leadership and establishing and participating in partnerships.

Our Values are: Excellence in Service, Respect, Collaboration and Partnership, Diversity, Accountability

The purpose of the Department of Social and Health Services/Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DSHS/DVR) is to empower individuals with disabilities to achieve a greater quality of life by obtaining and maintaining employment.  Employment contributes to a person's ability to live independently, and DSHS/DVR believes that every person should have the opportunity to work.  For more information on DSHS/DVR programs and employment, go to www.dshs.wa.gov/DSHS/DVR.

DUTIES: As a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor 4, you will work one-on-one to help people with all types of disabilities, become employed to discover their potential as independent, self-sufficient citizens.  It is a challenging job that often requires creativity and vision to see possibilities where others see only problems.  It is a good choice for someone with high energy who wants to make a very real and measurable difference in the lives of others.

The VR Counselor 4: Provides expert consultation to other VR Counselors to assist them in serving complex or challenging cases; develops and provides training to other VR Counselors; serves as a specialist in Deaf-Blind, deaf and blind areas of expertise.

Manages a caseload of customers with all types of disabilities to provide VR services that enable individuals to achieve successful employment outcomes, including:

  Conducts initial interviews and counsels applicants on the availability of VR services for which they may be eligible.

  Coordinates and synthesizes necessary medical, psychological, social, educational, vocational and financial information to use for eligibility determination and VR counseling.

  Determines applicant eligibility for VR services.

  Provides VR counseling to assist the customer to develop their Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) and make progress throughout the rehabilitation process, approves and guides implementation of the IPE, and monitors progress toward completion of the employment goal.

  Approves IPE's and any amendments to the IPE.

  Determines customer's need and provides or arranges vocational rehabilitation services that may include VR guidance and counseling; vocational assessment; transition from high school to work; job training, placement and retention; medical restoration; assistive technology; independent living; benefits planning; supported employment; or any other VR service required to achieve and maintain the employment goal.

  Manages expenditures within an allotment of case service funds, and only authorizes funds necessary for diagnostic evaluation of the customer or required for the implementation of VR services identified on the IPE.

  Assists customer in identifying and using comparable benefits that may be available to them for obtaining required VR services designated on the IPE.

  Develops an effective VR counseling relationship that is responsive to the unique needs of each customer and necessary to achieve the employment goal.

  Maintains regular contact with customers and moves cases through the rehabilitation process to case closure.

  Directly assists customers who conduct self-directed job searches, including referral to WorkSource.

  Uses the Service Tracking and Reporting System (STARS) to conduct all facets of case management, maintain an accurate and current record of  VR services, document case progress, including the key decisions and activities that determine the course and outcome of the case.

Maintains close working relationships with a variety of federal, state, and local organizations that jointly serve DSHS/DVR customers to assure effective case coordination, including high schools and post-secondary institutions of higher education.

Promotes DSHS/DVR programs to the public and employers, and conducts outreach in the community to share information regarding DSHS/DVR services.

Leads group workshops and related activities for customers to facilitate informed choice, job search and/or preparation for employment.

Provides information and consultation to employers to assist them in employing and retaining DSHS/DVR customers.

Closes cases when IPE is successfully completed, services are no longer needed, or the customer is no longer participating or available for services.

Informs customers of the Client Assistance Program, mediation, and the formal appeal process when individuals disagree with VR service delivery decisions.

Participates in staff training programs.


QUALIFICATIONS:

REQUIRED EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:
A current Certification as a Rehabilitation Counselor by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification,

OR

A Master's degree in rehabilitation counseling,

OR

A Master's degree in psychology, counseling or a field related to vocational rehabilitation counseling (such as one that promote the physical, psychosocial, or vocational well-being of individuals with disabilities) that is within one of the following disciplines:

  Counseling, regardless of emphasis

  Education with a concentration of coursework in one of the following areas:
*  Special Education
*  Educational Counseling
*  Counseling and Guidance
*  Mental Health Counseling
*  School Counseling

  Marriage and Family Therapy

  Marriage, Family and Child Counseling

  Psychology with a major concentration of coursework in one of the following areas:
*  Clinical Psychology
*  Counseling Psychology
*  Educational Psychology
*  School Psychology

   Social Work

   Vocational Evaluation,

OR

A Master's degree with at least 18 quarter or 12 semester credit hours specified as follows:

ONE graduate course with a primary focus on the Theories and Techniques of Counseling, and

THREE graduate courses, each with a primary focus on one of the following areas:
a. Occupational Information
b. Job Development and Placement
c. Medical Aspects of Disabilities
d. Foundations of Rehabilitation
e. Psychological Aspects of Disabilities
f. Personal and Vocational Adjustment, and

TWO graduate courses, each with a primary focus on one of the following areas:
a. Assessment
b. Research Methodology
c. Vocational and Career Development
d. Community Resources
e. Case Management
f. Delivery of Rehabilitation Services,

AND

Four years of paid experience as a vocational rehabilitation counselor or similar paid experience in vocational counseling, job placement, vocational assessment, or other areas of rehabilitation counseling.

Fluency in American Sign Language Required.

DESIRED SKILLS & ABILITIES:

  Demonstrate professional skill in applying a technical knowledge of medical and psychological aspects of disabling conditions, labor market information, transferable skills analysis, assistive technology, job modifications.

  Demonstrate the ability to assist customers in exercising informed choice to make collaborative decisions that are consistent with appropriate vocational rehabilitation practice.

  Demonstrate the ability to negotiate with vendors, and other rehabilitation professionals.

  Demonstrate the ability to apply multiple counseling techniques to meet the varied needs of customers.

  Manage multiple and competing priorities within prescribed timeframes.

  Demonstrate the ability to guide and assist customers in selecting employment goals that are well suited to their individual needs and circumstances, including options for self-employment.

  Support customers in developing a wide variety of social, educational and financial resources to reach their employment goals.

  Demonstrate the knowledge and ability to guide and teach customers to use effective steps and strategies for conducting a successful job search.

  Demonstrate the ability to work effectively with angry or demanding people, and possess the skill to assist them in redirecting anger or frustration into appropriate, functional behavior.

  Demonstrate an in depth understanding and the ability to use independent judgment consistent with VR laws, regulations and professional standards, which include:
a)  Federal Rehabilitation Act statutes and regulations
b)  DSHS/DVR Washington Administrative Code
c)  DSHS/DVR Customer Services Manual
d)  DSHS/DVR Administrative Policies
e)  DSHS Administrative Policies
f)  Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) Code of Ethics

  Demonstrate the ability to lead and support customers in achieving successful outcomes.

  Demonstrate the ability to communicate clearly and honestly, including the ability to share disappointing or unpopular information in manner that results in a constructive response from another.

  Demonstrate the ability to use office computer technology, including: MS WORD, Outlook, internet browsers and applications specific to DSHS/DVR.

  Demonstrate the ability to develop community based vocational assessment and training opportunities for customers, including customer internships.

Demonstrate the ability to explain federal and state laws, policies, and provisions of the laws to the customer, customer's families, service providers, and community members.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:

In order to be considered for this position, you must complete the entire online application.  An attached resume will not replace a completed profile.  The information provided in your profile must support your selected answers in the Supplemental Questions.  Responses not supported in your profile may disqualify you from consideration for employment in this position.

You must attach your college transcripts to the on-line application by the closing date. Failure to do so, will result in disqualification of this position.  Unofficial transcripts will be accepted.  All applicable education must be accredited and recognized by the Council for Higher Education (CHEA) and/or the United States Department of Education.

As a condition of employment, the successful candidate accepting this position will be required to comply with the Union Security clause contained in the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the State of Washington and the Washington Federation of State Employees.

The State of Washington is an equal opportunity employer.  Persons with a disability who need assistance in the application process, or those needing this announcement in an alternative format, may call the recruiter at 360-416-3577 or Telecommunications Device for the Deaf at (360) 664-6211.

For questions about this recruitment, please contact Lorrie Moe at 360-416-3577 or mailto:moel at dshs.wa.gov.

Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor 4 - Deaf, Deaf/Blind Specialist (TR) 2013-06062 Supplemental Questionnaire

*  1.  (300 353M) Which best describes your education or certification as a vocational rehabilitation counselor? *

* - No entry

* - A Master's degree in vocational 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).

* - A current certification as a Rehabilitation Counselor by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification.

* - A Master's degree with at least 18 quarter or 12 semester credit hours in vocational rehabilitation related subjects at the master's level.

* - A Master's degree with less than 18 quarter or 12 semester credit hours in vocational rehabilitation related subjects at the master's level.

* - None of the above

*  2.  (300 353X ASL T10 R1) Are you fluent in American Sign Language?

* - No, I am not fluent in American sign language

* - Yes, I am fluent in American Sign Language but am not certified.

* - Yes, I am fluent in American Sign Language and am able to provide proof of certified fluency upon request

*  3.  (300 353U T41 R1) Please select the answer below that best describes your years of paid experience as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor or similar paid experience in vocational counseling, job placement, vocational assessment, or other areas of rehabilitation counseling.

* - I have one to two years of paid experience.

* - I have two to three years of paid experience.

* - I have three to four years of paid experience.

* - I have four to five years of paid experience.

* - I have five or more years of paid experience.

* - None of the above apply to me.

* Required Question

Thank you,

Erin Ross, M.S., CRC
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor
Bellevue Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
805 156th Avenue NE, N40-3
Bellevue, WA 98007-4614
Direct/VP: (206) 257-2729
TTY: (425) 649-4237
Main Line: (425) 590-3115
Fax: (425) 649-4330
Erin.Ross at dshs.wa.gov<mailto:Erin.Ross at dshs.wa.gov>

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