Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist; VR Services

Overview

SALARY RANGE PER GRADE LEVEL Grade CS-09 - $62,158 - $80,032. This position may be filled at CS-09, CS-11, or CS-12 with promotion potential within the career ladder to the next grade level.

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 positives of living in the Nation’s Capital. The District of Columbia is highly educated, with some of the best schools in the country, and DC continues to rank in the top 10 of thriving city indicators where you can live, work and play.

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.

• 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 limitations, educational 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 client 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.

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.

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.

• Practical…