Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (Blind) (35 Hour)(Hybrid (Bilingual))

Introduction

Do you want to make a difference while participating in a dynamic and reciprocal health care environment?

Apply today and be part of a fulfilling journey in public service!



THE POSITION

The State of Connecticut, Department of Aging and Disability Services (ADS), Bureau of Education and Services for the Blind (BESB), is currently recruiting for a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (Blind), who is Bilingual in English and Spanish, providing outreach to communities serving underserved populations and outreach to organizations. This position will require traveling and working with individuals who are legally blind or visually impaired.

HIGHLIGHTS

• LOCATION: 184 Windsor Avenue, Windsor, CT
• UNIT: Bureau of Education and Services for the Blind (BESB)
• SCHEDULE: Full-Time, 35 Hours per Week, First Shift, 8:30am - 4:15pm, Monday through Friday
• POSITION NUMBER: 34713

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

• 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 health work/life balance to all employees

DISCOVER THE OPPORTUNITY TO

• Engage in a rewarding career;
• Provide support to a division that is passionate about improving the lives of those we serve;
• Assist our clients so they can achieve success;
• Make a difference in the public sector;
• Work together in a collaborative team environment.

ABOUT US

ADS offers a myriad of programs and services to assist older adults and people with disabilities. Our programs, policies and practices are designed to:

• Deliver integrated 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; and
• Serve as a resource on aging and disability issues at the state level.

Selection Plan

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:

Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Reference Library for additional support throughout the recruitment process.

BEFORE YOU APPLY:

• Meet Minimum Qualifications: Ensure you meet the Minimum Qualifications listed on the job opening by the job closing date. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements listed must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
• Educational Credits: List your earned credits and degrees from accredited institutions accurately on your application. To receive educational credits towards qualification, 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 contact listed below by the closing date listed on the job posting.
• Resume Policy: Per Public Act 21-69, resumes are not accepted during the initial application process. As the recruitment process progresses, candidates may be required to submit additional documentation to support their qualification(s) for this position. This documentation may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the request and discretion of the hiring agency.
• Preferred Shift/Location: Select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift.
• Timely Submission: All application materials must be received by the job posting deadline. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State. Late submissions are rarely accepted, with exceptions only for documented events that incapacitate individuals during the entire duration of the job posting. Request exceptions by emailing DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.
• Salary Calculations: 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.

• Note: 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.

AFTER YOU APPLY:

• Referral Questions: This posting may require completion of additional Referral Questions (RQs), which must be completed by the questionnaire’s expiration date. If requested, RQs can be accessed via an email sent to you after the job close date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section).
• Prepare For An Interview: Interviews are limited to those whose experience and training are most aligned with the role. To prepare, review this helpful Interview Preparation Guide to make the best impression!
• Stay connected! Log in daily to your JobAps Personal Status Board to track your status and check email (including spam/junk folders) for updates and tasks.
• The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
• Note: This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. 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, available at www.ct.gov/ethics.

QUESTIONS? WE’RE HERE TO HELP:

Due to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt or provide status updates directly. For recruitment updates, please check your Personal Status Board and review our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have additional questions about the recruitment process, reach out to Jensine Tran at Jensine.Tran@ct.gov.

Join the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Aging and Disability Services, Board of Education and Services for the Blind vocational rehabilitation program this class is accountable for independently counseling a caseload of individuals who are blind and visually impaired on issues of personal and vocational adjustment.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• Interviews applicants who are blind or whose vision is seriously impaired for rehabilitation services;
• Secures information regarding educational background, work experience, interests, social and economic circumstances;
• Arranges for administration and interpretation of psychological tests;
• Evaluates and interprets data and assists individuals who are blind and visually impaired to select a suitable plan of training;
• Arranges for rehabilitation services to individuals who are blind and visually impaired such as medical and health services necessary for physical restoration, pre-vocational and vocational training, transportation and maintenance when required;
• Provides vocational information; provides counseling and guidance to individuals throughout rehabilitation process and assists individuals in meeting problems of personal, social and vocational adjustment;
• Studies labor market conditions and surveys industrial business plants for employment in business enterprises;
• Makes use of available community services and facilities and maintains work relationships with local, state and federal agencies;
• Develops, evaluates and maintains standards of training;
• Maintains case records and prepares state and federal reports concerning rehabilitation services rendered;
• Speaks publicly as required;
• Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

• Knowledge of
  • principles and techniques of vocational rehabilitation counseling, interviewing and psychological and occupational testing;
  • community resources available to rehabilitate individuals who are blind and visually impaired;
  • occupations, job requirements and safety factors;
  • medical and psychological aspects of disabilities;
• Considerable
  • interpersonal skills;
  • oral and written communication skills.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

A Master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling or a closely related field and one (1) year of professional experience in rehabilitation counseling, job placement of individuals with disabilities or vocational adjustment counseling.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in career counseling, job placement and vocational adjustment counseling with persons with disabilities
• Experience working in communities serving inner city populations and conducting outreach to organizations.
• Experience providing case management services for individuals with disabilities
• Experience working with employers and labor markets to develop and secure jobs
• Bilingual in English and Spanish including reading, writing, and speaking

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.