[rehab] Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor II - September 15 2011.docx

[David Andrews]

It starts with leadership that "gets it," without that nothing will 
be agency-wide.

Dave

At 03:03 PM 9/21/2011, you wrote:
>Yeah, I've heard really excellent things about Nebraska's agency..
>Despite the general devolution of the VR agencies in so many states over
>the last decade or so... No insult to any particular agency or any
>individual rehab counselor for working in one of the states that has
>lost ground. It does seem to have been an unfortunate trend...
>
>I know some of the eastern states are still on the list of those with
>working, effective agencies, some easier to get services from than
>others, but it seems people get those services in the end. But I notice
>Nebraska because It's just kinda out there all by itself being really
>great that way.
>
>So here's what I wonder... What is different about their state agency
>that makes it stand out in terms of providing those services and tools
>for their blind consumers efficiently and in a way that leaves the
>consumer felling happy for having such a great experience?
>
>I apologize if the question is beyond the scope of the list. I've been
>looking at the overall system to better understand my own state system
>from the point of view of a consumer, trying to figure out what the
>secret key is that makes the difference between a great state agency and
>a dysfunctional one. I mean, all the states operate under the same
>general set of laws and rules and requirements... They're all facing
>economic difficulties that are very similar in nature. So what is it
>that makes the difference and why are the differences often so profound?
>
>Just curious as heck. /smile/
>
>Tami
>
>On Mon, 2011-09-19 at 08:48 -0500, Dick Davis wrote:
> > From our state president in Nebraska. Excellent agency!
> > Dick Davis
> > ------------------------------
> >
> > Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor II
> >
> >
> >
> > Closing Date: 11:59 p.m. September 30, 2011
> >
> > Location: Lincoln, Nebraska
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Description:
> >
> >
> >
> > Under general supervision, performs complex, specialized vocational
> > counseling, guidance and placement for individuals with visual impairments
> > and/or other disabilities.
> >
> > Hours: 8-5, Monday - Friday.
> >
> >
> >
> > Examples of Work:
> >
> >
> >
> > Performs interviews, diagnostic services, testing, job training and job
> > placement of eligible clients; confers with clients to discuss options and
> > goals. Provides follow-up services for clients in all aspects of vocational
> > adjustment; monitors and records clients' progress and ensures goals and
> > objectives are met. Assists in coordinating training, re-socialization,
> > remedial education and overall client programming. Arranges for
> > intelligence, psychological, vocational interest, aptitude 
> testing and other
> > tests and evaluations to obtain information in regards to 
> assessing clients'
> > needs and developing rehabilitation plans. Assists district or unit
> > supervisors with program needs and evaluation and may be involved in
> > corollary administrative functions. Serves as a resource person to the
> > professional staff in vocational rehabilitation related matters. Prepares
> > and maintains required reports, correspondence, case files and records.
> > Develops and maintains relationships with originating agencies, schools,
> > community organizations and public employers.
> >
> >
> >
> > Qualifications/Requirements:
> >
> >
> >
> > REQUIREMENTS: Bachelors degree in social science, behavioral 
> science, social
> > work, counseling/guidance, vocational rehabilitation, psychology, 
> sociology,
> > human development, education or related and two years experience OR Masters
> > degree in any of the above mentioned fields or related area. Candidates who
> > possess the required degree, but do not meet the experience requirements,
> > may be hired as a Rehabilitation Counselor I ($14.896/hour) until such
> > experience qualifications are met.
> >
> > OTHER: Successful candidates for employment must be able to satisfactorily
> > pass an extensive criminal background check. All new hires will 
> complete 600
> > hours of immersion training in Lincoln, at NCBVI expense, at the Nebraska
> > Center for the Blind to learn the alternative skills of blindness (cane
> > travel, Braille, assistive technology, activities of daily living, etc.);
> > those completing the training will be certified as Vocational 
> Rehabilitation
> > Counselors for the blind. Work is performed under the direct supervision of
> > a district or unit supervisor. Field assignments and travel are involved in
> > varying degrees. State agencies are responsible to evaluate each of their
> > positions to determine their individual overtime eligibility status as
> > required by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
> >
> >
> >
> > Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
> >
> >
> >
> > Knowledge of: vocational rehabilitation counseling methods and techniques;
> > human behavior and performance; medical and mental disabilities and their
> > effects on the rehabilitation process; adaptive equipment available for
> > clients served; principles and procedures for training development and
> > instruction; group behavior and dynamics; basic sign language. Skill in:
> > interviewing others to collect essential information; communicating to
> > convey information; monitoring and assessing performance and implementing
> > actions; reviewing information to develop options and implement solutions.
> > Ability to: learn, interpret and apply provisions of the 
> Rehabilitation Act;
> > collect, analyze and evaluate data to apply to the development and
> > implementation of a rehabilitation plan; maintain accurate records;
> > establish and maintain cooperative working relationships.