Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor

The Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation (DETR) is hiring for a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor 2 in Carson City and Reno. The Rehabilitation Counselor 2 makes eligibility decisions for program services; provides eligible individuals with sufficient counseling and guidance to assist him/her to complete an adequate assessment of vocational needs; develops Individual Plans for Employment (IPE); manages cases in a manner that ensures timely case movement and delivery of services;

ensures that accurate case documentation is in case files; ensures case expenditures are appropriate; completes required actions with sufficient written documentation and justification as needed to obtain the required number of employment outcomes. The incumbent will be mentored by a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor 3.

• Manage the caseload budget; project and authorize expenditures to assess applicants and meet client needs for physical and mental restoration, training or other vocational rehabilitation services; establish priorities of case spending; track caseload expenses according to prevailing federal, State and agency policies and guidelines; identify and utilize other available financial resources to maximize the use of agency funds.
• Interview applicants to establish case histories to include family background, social characteristics, education, work experience, health history and financial status; identify appropriate diagnostics, consultations, medical and psychological records needed to determine eligibility or ineligibility; schedule applicants for medical, psychological and vocational assessments; make referrals to other social services as appropriate.
• Analyze data gathered to establish the existence of a disabling condition; determine physical and psychological limitations which are impediments to employment; determine the applicants’ need for, and ability to benefit from, vocational rehabilitation services to obtain employment for eligibility purposes and plan development.
• Determine and document ineligibility based on clear and convincing evidence which may include trial work periods.
• Assess vocational rehabilitation needs of clients; identify medical, psychological, social, vocational, educational and other needs including unique strengths, resources, priorities and interests.
• Develop an IPE; determine a realistic vocational goal with the informed choice of clients; identify specific intermediate objectives and strategies; determine evaluation criteria and schedules; identify service providers and coordinate service delivery; evaluate the effectiveness of services provided; ensure clients utilize available benefits and entitlements; provide required services; review and modify goals and strategies as needed.
• Provide ongoing service coordination and advocacy on behalf of clients to facilitate the IPE; perform a variety of counseling to include adjustment, family, individual and group, and career and job readiness counseling; coordinate job placement services.
• Assess job readiness; provide job seeking skills training; develop job placement resources by contacting local employers and private vendors to become familiar with the job market; provide information to local employers regarding agency program goals and State and federal employment incentives; advise and assist employers with appropriate work station modification to accommodate specific disabilities; provide on-the-job training, supportive work, selective job placement and follow-up.
• Consult with doctors, psychologists, therapists, prosthesis manufacturers, hospital staffs and dentists to plan and coordinate delivery of physical and mental restoration services; refer clients to training programs in high schools, universities, vocational schools and arrange for mobility and independent living instruction as appropriate; authorize and monitor vocational assessment and vocational adjustment services to evaluate clients' physical and mental limitations, level of vocational functioning, attitude, motivation and work tolerance;
  
  consult with coworkers and service providers such as social workers, veterans' representatives and school officials to coordinate areas of overlapping services.
• Maintain case files and document all activities and expenditures to include development of IPE, progress notations, correspondence, diagnostic and evaluative reports, case histories and budget status reports; collect, analyze, and report statistical and budget data related to…