Rehabilitation Counselor 1 - Deaf Hard of Hearing - Augusta

GVRA

Under supervision, provides rehabilitation counseling services, referral services, and resident evaluation to assigned clients. Conducts interviews of assigned clients to identify problems, assess mental and educational status, and select applicable programs. Collects and assesses information about a client's situation and functioning in order to assess his/her abilities, needs, and eligibility for services. Conducts interviews to identify problems, assess mental and educational status and select applicable programs. Coordinates discharge plan in cooperation with team, clients, and their families. Counsels' clients with disabilities, including vocational and psychosocial adjustment counseling, throughout the rehabilitation process. Identifies and develops prospective employment opportunities through assistive technology and job modification methods. Interprets educational, vocational and/or psychological tests in accordance with guidelines. Observes rules of confidentiality as stated by departmental guidelines in the dissemination and interpretation of tests results. Provides information to educate the public, other agencies, vendors and potential customers about rehabilitation services

Essential Functions 

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

·      Develops and maintains referral sources.  

·      Conducts interviews with VR participants (potentially eligible students, applicants, and clients)   

·      Under direct supervision, reviews and interprets education, vocation, psychological and medical information.  

·      Travel within caseload assignment area to meet with individuals, providers, partners and other outreach.  

·      Under direct supervision, assist in determining eligibility, identifying order of selection, conducting a comprehensive needs  assessment, and developing an individualized plan for employment, authorizing services.  

·      Under direct supervision, counsels and guides participants throughout the rehabilitation process, including establishing  employment goal, facilitating job search efforts, maintaining contact with clients, and moving the case to closure.   

·      Monitors client movement and ensures timely provision of services.  

·      Documents accurately and timely in AWARE (client information system)  

·      Observes rules of confidentiality as stated by departmental guidelines in the dissemination and interpretation of test results and  other case file information.  

·      Provides information to educate the public, other agencies, vendors, and potential customers about rehabilitation services. 

·      Enters accurate participant data in the client information system at the direction of the counselor, as well as captures reporting  data.  

·      Processes and monitors authorizations and invoices for rehabilitation services in accordance with policies and procedures  

Other Duties 

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. 

Competencies 

·      Technical Capacity  

·      Personal Effectiveness/Credibility  

·      Organizational Skills  

·      Thoroughness  

·      Collaboration Skills  

·      Communication Proficiency 

·      Flexibility 

Work Environment

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as laptop computers and smartphones. 

Physical Demands 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. 

Working Conditions 

Incumbents working in this job perform duties in an office setting. This is a 40-hour workweek requirement. The position may involve managing a high-volume workload and demands a high level of accuracy while working with deadlines. Regular attendance is an important part of being successful in this position. Reasonable accommodations can be made available to qualified individuals upon request.  

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. This position occasionally requires long hours and weekend work. 

Travel 

Travel is primarily local during the business day, although some out of area and overnight travel may be required for work and training.

Work Authorization/Security Clearance

As a condition of employment with Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency, you must successfully complete a mandatory federal and national background check, pre-employment testing, and additional checks required for your job. 

All candidates interested in employment with The Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency must be legally authorized to work in the United States. The Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency does not offer sponsorships for current or future employment visas (e.g., H-B1 employment visa). 

AAP/EEO Statement

GVRA provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. 

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. 

Reasonable Accommodations 

The Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. To request a reasonable accommodation during any step in the hiring process, please contact our HR Team at ada_request@gvs.ga.gov. 

Preferred Education and Experience 

GVRA requires a Bachelor's Degree or higher in a related field to qualify for the position.

Preference will be given to applicants who, in addition to meeting the required education and experience, possess one or more of the following:

1.    Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in a related field (Psychology, Social Services, Education, Special Education, etc.)

2.    CRC Credential in good standing

3.    Active Teaching Certification

4.    Active Teaching Certification in Special Education