What are the responsibilities and job description for the Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist (VR Services) position at DC Department of Human Resources?
(This position maybe filled at any of the following grade levels CS-09/11 or 12 and have promotion potential within the career ladder to the next grade level)
SALARY RANGE PER GRADE LEVEL
Grade CS-09 - $62,158 - $80,032
Grade CS-11 - $74,893 - $96,547
Grade CS-12 - $92,656 - $118,558
If you like to stay busy and immersed in cultural activities, then Washington, DC is the place to be! Museums, restaurants, great climate, green space and job opportunities are among the many positives of living in the Nation’s Capital. Not to mention the residents of the District of Columbia are highly educated and the region has some of the best schools in the country. Each day the District of Columbia continues to be ranked in the top 10 of thriving city indicators where you can live, work and play.
INTRODUCTION
This position is located in the Department on Disability Services, Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) VR Services. The mission of the administration is to provide comprehensive vocational rehabilitation and independent living services to persons with disabilities, which will maximize their quality of life and promote their employability and economic self-sufficiency, independence, inclusion and integration into society, and adjudication of disability claims.
MAJOR DUTIES
Provides services to clients in meeting problems of personal, social, and vocational adjustment.
Interprets and analyzes applicants’ physical or mental condition, social and economic situation, attitudes and aptitudes, work experiences, functional limitationseducational background, and personality traits to determine eligibility and rehabilitation possibilities.
Collects existing information from hospitals/medical records, schools, employers, other agencies, and individuals to supplement and/or verify history and current status.
Evaluates information and its relationship to client's current and potential medical and vocational status.
Determines eligibility for vocational rehabilitation services in accordance with applicable Federal and District laws, regulations, guidelines, policies, and procedures.
Plans and arranges for rehabilitation services; approves expenditures within specified limits for planned rehabilitation services.
Assists in developing an Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE).
Informs client of the terms and conditions for the provision of vocational rehabilitation services. Informs client of his/her rights and the means by which he/she may express and seek remedy for any dissatisfaction.
Ensures clients information is maintained in the VR information system. Works with client in securing employment, which is suited to his/her capabilities, interests, strengths, and informed choice.
Makes pre-referral contact with prospective employers and follow-up contacts with both the employer and the employee to ascertain progress or challenges in the client's achieving his/her vocational goal.
Informs client of case closure and of the availability of post-employment services.
Assists in planning and providing post-employment services to assist the client in a satisfactory adjustment to employment and achieving a successful employment outcome.
Meets established agency performance standards in terms of quality and quantity of casework; accuracy of eligibility determinations, adhering to established agency and federal guidelines for eligibility determinations and for developing and implementing the IPE.
Prepares reports as required to promote the effective operation of the vocational rehabilitation program.
Performs other related duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Applicant must have one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade-level. One (1) year of experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position, and that is typically related to providing vocational rehabilitation services to persons with disabilities.
Applicants must have met the qualifications requirement for this position by the closing date to be eligible for this position.
Education
Minimum requirement: Master's Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling, Vocational Evaluation, Vocational Rehabilitation, or related field is required. An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.
Work Experience/Knowledge
Practical knowledge of the federal and District laws, rules and regulations, guidelines, policies and procedures governing the administration of the vocational rehabilitation program in order to provide appropriate services within the scope of these statutory provisions.
Practical knowledge of the theories, principles, practices and techniques of counseling to assist eligible persons with disabilities in adjusting to their disabilities and pursuing a successful employment outcome.
Practical knowledge of medical and psychological terminology in order to understand various physical and mental problems and collaborate with consultants in the evaluation of the clients' current status and potential for a successful employment outcome.
Practical knowledge of service providing agencies in the community in order to refer clients for comparable services not available within the Administration.
Practical knowledge of the local labor market and its practices, work requirements and needs of specific employers employment trends, salaries, and for assisting their clients to achieve a successful employment outcome.
Collective Bargaining Unit
This position is in the collective bargaining unit represented by local union AFSCME 2401.
Additional Information
Once applications are submitted, applicants will not be able to change their responses to the online questions.
The position for which the individual is applying has been identified and designated as requiring enhanced suitability screening.
If tentatively selected for the position, a criminal background check, traffic record check, consumer credit check, and mandatory drug and alcohol test will be conducted (as appropriate); and
The appointee to the position may be offered employment contingent upon receipt of a satisfactory enhanced suitability screening.
Work Schedule
This position requires at least 4 days a week in the office.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above. Your application includes your resume, responses to the online questions, and required supporting documents. Please be sure that your resume includes detailed information to support your qualifications for this position; failure to provide sufficient evidence in your resume will result in a "not qualified" determination.
EEO Statement
The District of Columbia Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, family responsibilities, matriculation, physical handicap, or political affiliation.
SALARY RANGE PER GRADE LEVEL
Grade CS-09 - $62,158 - $80,032
Grade CS-11 - $74,893 - $96,547
Grade CS-12 - $92,656 - $118,558
If you like to stay busy and immersed in cultural activities, then Washington, DC is the place to be! Museums, restaurants, great climate, green space and job opportunities are among the many positives of living in the Nation’s Capital. Not to mention the residents of the District of Columbia are highly educated and the region has some of the best schools in the country. Each day the District of Columbia continues to be ranked in the top 10 of thriving city indicators where you can live, work and play.
INTRODUCTION
This position is located in the Department on Disability Services, Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) VR Services. The mission of the administration is to provide comprehensive vocational rehabilitation and independent living services to persons with disabilities, which will maximize their quality of life and promote their employability and economic self-sufficiency, independence, inclusion and integration into society, and adjudication of disability claims.
MAJOR DUTIES
Provides services to clients in meeting problems of personal, social, and vocational adjustment.
Interprets and analyzes applicants’ physical or mental condition, social and economic situation, attitudes and aptitudes, work experiences, functional limitationseducational background, and personality traits to determine eligibility and rehabilitation possibilities.
Collects existing information from hospitals/medical records, schools, employers, other agencies, and individuals to supplement and/or verify history and current status.
Evaluates information and its relationship to client's current and potential medical and vocational status.
Determines eligibility for vocational rehabilitation services in accordance with applicable Federal and District laws, regulations, guidelines, policies, and procedures.
Plans and arranges for rehabilitation services; approves expenditures within specified limits for planned rehabilitation services.
Assists in developing an Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE).
Informs client of the terms and conditions for the provision of vocational rehabilitation services. Informs client of his/her rights and the means by which he/she may express and seek remedy for any dissatisfaction.
Ensures clients information is maintained in the VR information system. Works with client in securing employment, which is suited to his/her capabilities, interests, strengths, and informed choice.
Makes pre-referral contact with prospective employers and follow-up contacts with both the employer and the employee to ascertain progress or challenges in the client's achieving his/her vocational goal.
Informs client of case closure and of the availability of post-employment services.
Assists in planning and providing post-employment services to assist the client in a satisfactory adjustment to employment and achieving a successful employment outcome.
Meets established agency performance standards in terms of quality and quantity of casework; accuracy of eligibility determinations, adhering to established agency and federal guidelines for eligibility determinations and for developing and implementing the IPE.
Prepares reports as required to promote the effective operation of the vocational rehabilitation program.
Performs other related duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Applicant must have one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade-level. One (1) year of experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position, and that is typically related to providing vocational rehabilitation services to persons with disabilities.
Applicants must have met the qualifications requirement for this position by the closing date to be eligible for this position.
Education
Minimum requirement: Master's Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling, Vocational Evaluation, Vocational Rehabilitation, or related field is required. An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.
Work Experience/Knowledge
Practical knowledge of the federal and District laws, rules and regulations, guidelines, policies and procedures governing the administration of the vocational rehabilitation program in order to provide appropriate services within the scope of these statutory provisions.
Practical knowledge of the theories, principles, practices and techniques of counseling to assist eligible persons with disabilities in adjusting to their disabilities and pursuing a successful employment outcome.
Practical knowledge of medical and psychological terminology in order to understand various physical and mental problems and collaborate with consultants in the evaluation of the clients' current status and potential for a successful employment outcome.
Practical knowledge of service providing agencies in the community in order to refer clients for comparable services not available within the Administration.
Practical knowledge of the local labor market and its practices, work requirements and needs of specific employers employment trends, salaries, and for assisting their clients to achieve a successful employment outcome.
Collective Bargaining Unit
This position is in the collective bargaining unit represented by local union AFSCME 2401.
Additional Information
Once applications are submitted, applicants will not be able to change their responses to the online questions.
The position for which the individual is applying has been identified and designated as requiring enhanced suitability screening.
If tentatively selected for the position, a criminal background check, traffic record check, consumer credit check, and mandatory drug and alcohol test will be conducted (as appropriate); and
The appointee to the position may be offered employment contingent upon receipt of a satisfactory enhanced suitability screening.
Work Schedule
This position requires at least 4 days a week in the office.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above. Your application includes your resume, responses to the online questions, and required supporting documents. Please be sure that your resume includes detailed information to support your qualifications for this position; failure to provide sufficient evidence in your resume will result in a "not qualified" determination.
EEO Statement
The District of Columbia Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, family responsibilities, matriculation, physical handicap, or political affiliation.
Salary : $62,158 - $118,558