Bilingual Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor 2 (Spanish/English)(Multiple Opportunities | Hybrid | 35 Hour)

Introduction

Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of individuals with disabilities? Do you thrive in a role that combines counseling, advocacy, and community outreach? If so, we invite you to apply for positions as Bilingual Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor 2's with the State of Connecticut, Department of Aging and Disability Services (ADS), Bureau of Rehabilitation Services (BRS).

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS:

• Schedule: Monday - Friday | 35 hours per week | First Shift
• Location: Bridgeport or Stamford, CT (Hybrid Work Available)
  • Bridgeport Office: 1057 Broad Street, Bridgeport, CT
  • Stamford Office: 1642 Bedford Street, Stamford, CT

Due to the specialized nature of these positions, our ideal candidates will be Bilingual in Spanish and English, including reading, writing and speaking.

WHY JOIN US?

• Visit our new State Employee Benefits Overview page!
• Work at a Forbes-recognized company! Connecticut is proud to be featured on both America's Best Employers by State and Best Employers for New Grads in 2024. With our dynamic job market and commitment to fostering a thriving workforce, Connecticut stands out as a top destination for both seasoned professionals and fresh graduates seeking to launch their careers.
• Professional growth and development opportunities.
• A healthy work/life balance to all employees.
• Hybrid Schedule: Flexibility to work remotely and in-office.

WHAT YOU'LL DO:

• Provide vocational rehabilitation services to individuals with disabilities and their families, including monolingual Spanish speakers and English speakers.
• Manage referrals from Latino community organizations, school systems, and general intake sources to connect individuals with needed services.
• Conduct community outreach to establish partnerships and expand available resources for clients.
• Work with individuals with a wide variety of disabilities to help them develop employment plans and achieve career goals.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SERVICES WE PROVIDE:

WHY WORK IN STAMFORD OR BRIDGEPORT?

Located in the heart of Fairfield County, Stamford and Bridgeport offer a vibrant mix of professional opportunities, cultural attractions, and a strong sense of community. Stamford, known for its thriving business district and beautiful waterfront, provides a dynamic urban atmosphere with excellent dining, entertainment, and recreational activities. Bridgeport, Connecticut’s largest city, boasts a rich history, diverse neighborhoods, and a growing arts scene. Both locations offer convenient access to New York City, making them ideal for those looking to enjoy a balance of career growth and quality of life.

MORE ABOUT THE AGENCY AND FACILITIES:

The Mission of the Department of Aging and Disability Services is to maximize opportunities for the independence and well-being of people with disabilities and older adults in Connecticut. Our programs, policies and practices are designed to:

• Deliver aging and disability services responsive to the needs of Connecticut citizens
• Provide leadership on aging and disability issues statewide
• Provide and coordinate aging and disability programs and services in the areas of employment, education, independent living, accessibility and advocacy
• Advocate for the rights of Connecticut residents with disabilities and older adults
• Serve as a resource on aging and disability issues at the state level

The Bureau of Rehabilitation Services (BRS) helps persons with significant physical and/or mental disabilities prepare for, find, keep or advance in a job. BRS creates opportunities to help individuals with disabilities work competitively. Our team was recently awarded a Disability Innovation Fund Model Demonstration grant through the US Department of Education, Rehabilitation Services Administration. The Connecticut Pathways to Integrated Employment (CTPIE) project is designed to help people with disabilities currently working or considering subminimum wage employment make the choice to prepare, secure, and sustain competitive, integrated employment in growing career clusters. CT/PIE will create viable, sustainable options through a model that builds on existing resources to align consumer assessment and career preparedness activities with structured customized training and employment programs, individualized supports and wraparound services.

Start with us. Stay with us. Grow with us.

Selection Plan

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:

Please read or watch our Applicant Tips on How to Apply!

To Apply:

• The only way to apply to this posting is via the ‘Apply’ or ‘Apply Online’ buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center job posting.
• In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening. The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
• In order to receive educational credits toward qualification for this job posting, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the recruiter listed on this job posting.
• You must specify your qualifications on your application. You will be unable to make revisions once you submit your application for this posting to the JobAps system.
• In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process.
• All application materials must be received by the recruiting agency by the time specified on the job opening for the position for which you are applying. Late applications may not be submitted and will not be considered. Exceptions are rare and limited to documented events that incapacitate a candidate during the entire duration of the job posting time period. It is the candidate’s obligation and responsibility to request an exception and provide a legally recognized justification to accommodate such exception. Requests should be made to DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.
• This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules.

Important Next Step Information for After You Apply:

• Although applicants will receive correspondence via email and/or phone, as a backup they are also encouraged to sign on to their Personal Status Board on a daily basis to monitor their status, view all emailed notices and complete tasks required in the recruitment process.
• This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs). You can access these RQs via an email that will be sent to you after the posting's closing date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section). Your responses to these RQs must be submitted by the question's expiration date. Please regularly check your email and JobAps Personal Status Board for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders on a daily basis in the event an email provider places auto-notification emails in a user's spam.
• Note: At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency.
• The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
• Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience and training most closely meet the requirements of the position. Read through this helpful link to prepare for your interview.
• Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State Employees which is available at www.ct.gov/ethics.
• For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other.

Connect With Us:

• Due to the large volume of applications received, we are unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process.
• Updates will be available through your JobAps portal account. If you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment please contact Joseph K. Fried at Joseph.Fried@ct.gov, 860-924-7053.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Aging and Disability Services, Bureau of Rehabilitation Services this class is accountable for independently performing a full range of tasks in locating, investigating and determining the eligibility of individuals with disabilities in need of vocational rehabilitation services.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• Provides professional rehabilitation planning for and services to individuals with disabilities presenting difficult and complex vocational adjustment and rehabilitation needs; 
• Actively locates, investigates and interviews individuals with disabilities to explain functions, services and eligibility requirements of the agency; 
• Counsels individuals and assists in planning, selecting, preparing for and achieving vocational needs; 
• Obtains significant information from the individual and necessary information from schools, employers, Social Security Administration and other public and private agencies and medical facilities; 
• Arranges for services within the agency or other community agencies; 
• Furnishes consultative services to community agencies; 
• Conducts presentations and speaks before lay and professional groups; 
• Prepares written reports to document decisions and assesses vocational rehabilitation potential; 
• Establishes community referral sources; 
• Prepares case histories and other case records as components of an assigned caseload with signoff approval using an electronic system; 
• Coordinates and delivers presentations; 
• Recommends training needs; 
• May administer vocational tests; 
• Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

• Considerable knowledge of
  • the principles and techniques of vocational rehabilitation counseling and interviewing; 
  • community resources; 
  • disability and resulting functional limitation and medical terminology; 
• Skills
  • interpersonal skills; 
  • oral and written communication skills; 
• Considerable ability to gather, analyze and evaluate significant information pertinent to the rehabilitation of an individual; 
• Ability to
  • use innovative thinking and to take initiative in resolving difficult rehabilitation issues with consumers; 
  • establish and maintain an effective counseling relationship with individuals; 
  • write complete and concise reports; 
  • manage a caseload and independently handle complex cases; 
  • relate to different cultural and economic backgrounds; 
  • organize time, set priorities and manage workload using an electronic system.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

A Master's degree from an accredited college with a major course of study in vocational rehabilitation counseling, psychology, special education, or related behavioral or social sciences and two (2) years full time experience in the vocational rehabilitation career series with a state/public vocational rehabilitation program.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bilingual in English and Spanish including reading, writing, and speaking.
• Experience working with high school students or adults with disabilities.
• Experience providing outreach, including conducting presentations, to community agencies.
• Experience with an electronic case management system, Outlook, and video conferencing platforms.
• Experience working with population diversity or underserved populations.
• Experience managing competing priorities while meeting deadlines.
• Experience communicating with internal and external stakeholders.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Incumbents in this class must have met the national standard for Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) as specified by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) at time of appointment.
• Incumbents in this class are required to maintain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator's license or Identification Card.
• Incumbents in this class may be required to travel with or without an accommodation.

Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.