DSHS DVR Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor 4 - Puyallup, United States - State of Washington

Description

Salary: $5, $6,838.00 Monthly

Location : Pierce County - Puyallup, WA

Job Type: Full Time - Permanent

Job Number:

Department: Dept. of Social and Health Services

Division: DVR

Opening Date: 05/03/2024

Closing Date: 5/23/2024 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary Information: The high end of the salary range, Step M is typically a longevity step

Description

DSHS DVR Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor 4

Are you a leader with a desire to support students, youth and adults with disabilities by providing vocational rehabilitation services that assist them in obtaining and maintaining employment?

Join the and our hard-working team of professionals as a Lead Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor. This opportunity will serve as a lead in a DVR field office, including out-stationed offices under the general direction of a Vocational Rehabilitation Supervisor. You will also provide VR counseling and case management for the most complex and difficult cases and carry a caseload of customers with significant disabilities to assist them in achieving competitive, integrated employment outcomes.

Motivated people committed to providing vocational rehabilitation services to clients with disabilities are encouraged to apply. You will support and lead other DVR staff in serving clients. At the same time, in cooperation with other agencies and service providers, you'll work with clients to complete comprehensive assessments and develop an Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) to achieve their employment goals.

Pierce County employees are eligible to receive an Orca Card for transportation needs.

This opportunity was reopened to widen the applicant pool, if you already applied you do not need to reapply, your application is under review.

Some of what you will do:

• Lead and coach other DVR staff, maintain office coverage and assign work, and act in the absence of the VR Supervisor
• Respond to and serve a caseload of DVR clients with the most complex cases
• Determine client eligibility for vocational rehabilitation services
• Provide vocational rehabilitation counseling and support
• Conduct comprehensive assessments of client needs for vocational rehabilitation services
• Obtain benefits analysis reports and interpret results to assist and counsel clients
• Assist clients in developing and implementing an IPE and monitor progress toward completion of employment goals
• Connect and maintain close working relationships with federal, state, and local organizations; jointly serving clients
• Promote DVR programs to the public and employers, and conduct outreach in the community to share information about DVR services
• Collaborate in and lead group orientations, workshops, and related activities to facilitate informed choices and prepare clients for employment

Who should apply?

Professionals with:

Current certification as a Rehabilitation Counselor by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC)

OR

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)

OR

A master's degree with at least 18 quarter or 12 semester credit hours in rehabilitation counseling courses

AND

4 years of paid experience as a vocational rehabilitation counselor or similar paid experience in vocational counseling, job placement, vocational assessment, teaching at the secondary or post-secondary educational levels, or other areas of rehabilitation counseling. This experience may be gained either before or after obtaining the qualifying education or CRCC certification.

1 year of paid experience may be substituted with unpaid experience consisting of:

• Working with individuals with disabilities in a setting such as an independent living center; or
• Providing direct service or advocacy activities that provide such individuals with experience and skills in working with individuals with disabilities; or
• Experience as an employer, self-employment, human resources, recruitment, supervisory, or other activities that provide competitive integrated employment environments to individuals with disabilities.

Interested? Along with your completed application & 3 references, include:

• A letter of interest describing your work experience as it relates to this job
• Chronological resume

To learn more about DSHS, go to .
Questions? Email or call the main Talent Acquisition line at and reference

Our Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) mission to Transform Lives requires that we come together with a sense of belonging, common purpose, shared values, and meaningful work. It is crucial to our agency's mission that you bring equity, anti-racism, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to create greater access and affirming representation of the communities we serve, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, people with physical, behavioral health, and intellectual disabilities, elders, LGBTQIA+ individuals, immigrants and refugees, and families building financial security.

Supplemental Information

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history may be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the job. This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver's license. Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle.

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any area of employment, its programs or services on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, marital status, race, creed, color, national origin, religion or beliefs, political affiliation, military status, honorably discharged veteran, Vietnam Era, recently separated or other protected veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, equal pay or genetic information. Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruiter at Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or

E-Verify is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security

More than Just a Paycheck
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.

Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays
Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.

Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Sick Leave
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.

Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)
Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.

Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.

Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

As provided in , an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC

Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.

Military Leave
Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Bereavement Leave
Most employees whose family member or household member dies, are entitled to three (3) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.

Additional Leave
Leave Sharing

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

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