What are the responsibilities and job description for the Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor 1 (Bilingual/Spanish) (Hybrid) position at State of Connecticut - Department of Aging and...?
- Work Schedule: Monday - Friday
- Work Hours: Full-time, 35 hours per week, First Shift
- Locations: Working in either our Bridgeport or Stamford office.
- Bridgeport office: 1057 Broad Street, Bridgeport, CT
- Stamford office: 1642 Bedford Street, Stamford, CT
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- Professional growth and development opportunities.
- A healthy work/life balance to all employees.
- Providing vocational rehabilitation services to individuals with disabilities and their families that are both Monolingual – Spanish speaking and English-speaking.
- Managing referrals from general intake, Latino community organizations, school systems and other community referrals, providing vocational rehabilitation services to individuals with a wide variety of disabilities.
- Having ongoing interactions with the public, conduct community outreach and manage referrals from multiple sources including general intake, community organizations, school systems and other community organizations to provide vocational rehabilitation services to individuals with a wide variety of disabilities.
- 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
Selection Plan
FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:
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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 Julie Barker at Julie.Barker@ct.gov.
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PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
- Performs a limited range of professional rehabilitation planning for and services to individuals with disabilities and rehabilitation needs;
- Conducts interviews and explains functions, services and eligibility requirements of the agency;
- Counsels individuals and assists in planning, selecting, preparing for and achieving a vocational goal;
- Obtains sufficient case 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;
- 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 using an electronic system;
- Coordinates and delivers presentations;
- May administer vocational tests;
- Performs related duties as required.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY
- Knowledge of
- the principles and techniques of vocational rehabilitation counseling and interviewing;
- disability and resulting functional limitation and medical terminology;
- community resources;
- Skills
- interpersonal skills;
- oral and written communication skills;
- Ability to
- relate to different cultural and economic backgrounds;
- organize time, set priorities and manage workload using an electronic system;
- gather, analyze and evaluate significant information pertinent to the rehabilitation of an individual;
- establish and maintain an effective counseling relationship with individuals;
- write reports.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE
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 will be required to obtain the educational qualification for the Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor 1 and meet the most current national standard for Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) as specified by the Commissioner on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC).
- 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 accommodation.