What are the responsibilities and job description for the VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION SPECIALIST V, IV, III (OAHU) position at State of Hawai'i?
Recruitment Number DHS 24-04
THIS JOB POSTING WILL REMAIN OPEN UNTIL 25 APPLICATIONS ARE RECEIVED. PLEASE APPLY IMMEDIATELY AS THIS RECRUITMENT MAY CLOSE AT ANY TIME.
This position is with the State of Hawaii, Department of Human Services, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Staff Services Officer, located on Oahu.
Level III: *$4,858.00 - $5,918.00 per month (SR-20, Step D to I)
Level IV: *$5,258.00 - $6,399.00 per month (SR-22, Step D to I)
Level V: *$5,918.00 - $7,198.00 per month (SR-24, Step D to I)
*Hiring rates will be based on availability of funds, the applicant's qualifications and other relevant factors.
The State Recruiting Office will refer all inquiries regarding this delegated recruitment to the Department of Human Services, Human Resources Office. The Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist assists the Vocational Rehabilitation Administrator in program planning, development, and evaluation and the formulation of rules, standards, policies and procedures, governing the operation of the division and its programs of vocational rehabilitation, independent living rehabilitation, services for the blind and visually impaired, in accordance with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, the Randolph-Sheppard Vending Stand Act, the Workforce Investment Action of 1998, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and the statewide program of disability determinations for claimants of Social Security disability insurance and Supplemental Security Income in accordance with Titles I and XVI of the Social Security Act.
Level III: The primary purpose of this trainee position is to learn program requirements and administrative processes. Work assignments are selected to provide the incumbent with on-the-job training assignments designed to provide an understanding of the organization, mission, policies, and objectives of the department as well as furnish experience in applying program planning principles, methods, and techniques in actual work situations.
Level IV: The primary purpose of this advanced trainee position is to assist in statewide planning development, and evaluation for coordination of comprehensive services for eligible individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing and deaf-blind, as the division's State Coordinator in Deafness and Deafness-Blindness, and to coordinate statewide planning, development and evaluation for the division's training and staff development program. The incumbent will continue advancing toward becoming an independent worker upon satisfactory completion of training and demonstration of the ability to perform duties and responsibilities of the higher level.
Level V: The primary purpose of this position is to conduct statewide planning, development, and evaluation for coordination of comprehensive services for eligible individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, and deaf-blind, as the division's State Coordinator in Deafness and Deafness-Blindness, and to coordinate statewide planning, development and evaluation for the division's training and staff development program. APPLICANTS WILL BE PLACED ON THE ELIGIBLE LIST FOR ALL LEVELS FOR WHICH THEY ARE QUALIFIED.
To qualify, you must meet all of the following requirements:
Level III: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. One (1) year of General Experience and one (1) year of Specialized Experience as described below. Such experience must have demonstrated the ability to develop training programs for persons with disabilities in adjusting to the training program and/or work situation, and to place them in gainful employment, and working with disability cases ranging from simple to the moderately complex.
Level IV: In addition to meeting the requirements for VRS III, one (1) additional year of Specialized Experience which demonstrated the ability to provide the full range of direct service activities under general supervision. Such experience must have demonstrated the ability to independently develop training programs for persons with disabilities, to assist them in adjusting to training or work situations and demonstrated successful contacts with management for the placement of disabled persons.
Level V: In addition to meeting the requirements for VRS IV, must have a minimum of one (1) additional year of Specialized Experience. Such experience must have demonstrated the ability to independently develop training programs for persons with the most severe disabilities, to assist them in adjusting to training program and/or work situation, and to place them in gainful employment.
General Experience: One (1) year of progressively responsible professional experience which has provided a general knowledge of training practices, techniques, and requirements in one or more occupations. This experience must have involved the application of two (2) or more of the following kinds of knowledge and skills:
1. Interviewing techniques;
2. Knowledge of various occupations and their requirements;
3. Social casework techniques;
4. Knowledge of the causes and problems of persons with physical and mental disabilities;
5. Counseling and/or guidance; and
6. Tests and measurements.
Specialized Experience: Three (3) years for Level V; Two (2) years for Level IV; One (1) year for Level III of experience in one or a combination of the following types of professional experience:
1. Vocational rehabilitation training as a regularly designated responsibility;
2. Vocational guidance and teaching work in a recognized vocational rehabilitation program or in a school for persons with disabilities;
3. Developmental work in programs of vocational rehabilitation located in an educational institution, government, business, or industry;
4. Personnel placement or employment placement experience which has provided extensive knowledge of training and rehabilitation requirements necessary to place persons with disabilities in one or more broad occupational areas; and
5. Vocational rehabilitation counseling experience involving the adjustment, training, and placement of persons with disabilities into gainful employment.
One (1) year of the Specialized Experience must be equivalent to the Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist (VRS) III or IV level in State government. Such experience must have demonstrated the ability to independently develop training programs for persons with the most severe disabilities, to assist them in adjusting to the training program and/or work situation, and to place them in gainful employment. This level of experience must have provided the applicant with substantial knowledge of mental and physical diseases and disabilities in terms of the practical effects such disabilities have in placing the individual in employment.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: For the VRS V in addition to meeting the above requirements, an applicants must possess the following:
KNOWLEDGE OF DEAFNESS: At least one (1) year of professional work experience which provided knowledge of the causes and treatment of deafness; hearing loss and/or deaf-blindness; psychosocial and cognitive influences of deafness, hearing loss and/or deaf-blindness, pre- and post-lingual onset; educational aspects of mainstreaming and transitioning for independent functioning in the community; dynamics of the community; its perceptions and misconceptions, and its influence on persons who are deaf, hard of hearing and/or deaf-blind; language and communication concerns of persons who are deaf, hard of hearing and/or deaf-blind; community resources and their availability and ability to meet the needs of persons who are deaf, hard of hearing, and/or deaf-blind; physical and interpersonal accommodation and assistive devices available to meet the needs of persons who are deaf, hard of hearing and/or deaf-blind at school, work and home; and ability to communicate and work cooperatively with persons who are deaf, hard of hearing and/or deaf-blind, and community agencies on behalf of persons who are deaf, hard of hearing and/or deaf-blind; plan and implement services for persons who are deaf, hard of hearing and/or deaf-blind; plan and implement services for persons who are deaf, hard of hearing and/or deaf-blind; and educate community service providers and other groups on the concerns of persons who are deaf, hard of hearing and/or deaf-blind, and the availability of resources, services and treatment. Such experience may have been gained concurrently or separately in meeting the minimum qualification requirements for the class VRS IV.
SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED:
1. Four (4) years of excess progressively responsible administrative, professional or analytical work experience which provided knowledge, skills and abilities comparable to those acquired in four (4) years of successful study leading to a baccalaureate degree may be substituted for the bachelor’s degree. To be acceptable, the experience must have been of such scope, level and quality as to assure possession of comparable knowledge, skills and abilities. The experience background must also demonstrate the ability to write clear and comprehensive reports and other documents; read and interpret complex written material; and solve complex problems logically and systematically.
2. Possession of a master’s degree with specialization in rehabilitation counseling from an accredited college or university whose program is accredited by the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE) and included successful completion of practicum and/or internship in vocational rehabilitation counseling, or possession of a comparable master’s degree, may be substituted for one (1) year of General Experience and one (1) year of Specialized Experience.
3. A master’s degree from an accredited college or university in social work, psychology, counseling and guidance or a related field which does not include the specialization in rehabilitation counseling may be substituted for one (1) year of General Experience.
4. Successful completion of graduate level coursework from an accredited college or university which included courses in psychology, counseling and guidance, or related fields may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester credit hours for six (6) months of General Experience.
5. Successful completion of graduate level coursework from an accredited college or university which covered topics pertinent to vocational rehabilitation counseling may be substituted for the Specialized Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester credit hours for a maximum of (6) months of Specialized Experience.
6. Excess Specialized Experience may be substituted for General Experience on a month-for-month basis.
7. A master’s degree from an accredited college or university in Rehabilitation Counseling with specialization in deafness may be substituted for the one (1) year of work experience which provided the knowledge and abilities described under Knowledge of Deafness. This degree may not, however, substitute for experience comparable to the VRS III or IV in State service, required to meet the minimum qualification requirements for the class VRS V.
8. A master’s degree from an accredited college or university in Special Education with specialization in deafness may be substituted for the one (1) year of work experience which provided the knowledge and abilities described under Knowledge of Deafness. This degree may not, however, substitute for experience comparable to the class VRS III or IV in State service, required to meet the minimum qualification requirements for the VRS V.
The information provided above represents a summary of the Minimum Qualification Requirements. To view the Requirements in their entirety, please CLICK HERE (Download PDF reader) (Download PDF reader). 3.205:052919:13:JH
The State of Hawai'i complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If you require reasonable accommodations in completing an application, any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the selection process, please call (808) 586-4981 for assistance.
PUBLIC SERVICE LOAN FORGIVENESS (PSLF) PROGRAM:
ELECTRONIC NOTIFICATION TO APPLICANTS:
The Department of Human Services (DHS) will use electronic mail (email) to notify applicants of important information relating to the status and processing of their applications as part of our ongoing efforts to increase operational efficiency, promote the conservation of green resources, and minimize delays and costs.
Please ensure that the email address and contact information you provide is current, secure, and readily accessible to you. We will not be responsible in any way if you do not receive our emails or fail to check your email-box in a timely manner. In addition, please be aware that you may no longer receive notification about applications submitted if you choose to disable the Job Application Emails feature in your Account Settings.
TESTING INFORMATION:
The examination for this recruitment will be conducted on an unassembled basis where the examination score is based on an evaluation and rating of your education and experience. It is therefore important that your employment application provide a clear and detailed description of the duties and responsibilities of each position you held.
In-person interviews and/or further testing in Hawaii may be required at the discretion of the hiring agency. If in-person interviews and/or further testing is a requirement, applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements and are referred to the vacancy must be available to participate in person and at their own expense in this required phase of the selection process.
Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications as soon as possible. In addition to employment availability and score, the referral of qualified applicants may be based upon other factors including date of receipt of application.
CLICK HERE for further information about Equal Employment Opportunity, the Merit Civil Service System, Citizenship and other requirements, Reasonable Accommodation, Veterans Preference, Examination Requirements, and the DHS Human Resources Office's Levels of Review.
Agency
Department of Human Services
1390 Miller Street, Room 202
Honolulu, Hawaii 96809-0339
Inquiries about this recruitment may be directed to:
DHS // Human Resources Office // Recruitment and Examination Staff
Ph: (808) 586-4981
THIS JOB POSTING WILL REMAIN OPEN UNTIL 25 APPLICATIONS ARE RECEIVED. PLEASE APPLY IMMEDIATELY AS THIS RECRUITMENT MAY CLOSE AT ANY TIME.
This position is with the State of Hawaii, Department of Human Services, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Staff Services Officer, located on Oahu.
Level III: *$4,858.00 - $5,918.00 per month (SR-20, Step D to I)
Level IV: *$5,258.00 - $6,399.00 per month (SR-22, Step D to I)
Level V: *$5,918.00 - $7,198.00 per month (SR-24, Step D to I)
*Hiring rates will be based on availability of funds, the applicant's qualifications and other relevant factors.
The State Recruiting Office will refer all inquiries regarding this delegated recruitment to the Department of Human Services, Human Resources Office. The Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist assists the Vocational Rehabilitation Administrator in program planning, development, and evaluation and the formulation of rules, standards, policies and procedures, governing the operation of the division and its programs of vocational rehabilitation, independent living rehabilitation, services for the blind and visually impaired, in accordance with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, the Randolph-Sheppard Vending Stand Act, the Workforce Investment Action of 1998, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and the statewide program of disability determinations for claimants of Social Security disability insurance and Supplemental Security Income in accordance with Titles I and XVI of the Social Security Act.
Level III: The primary purpose of this trainee position is to learn program requirements and administrative processes. Work assignments are selected to provide the incumbent with on-the-job training assignments designed to provide an understanding of the organization, mission, policies, and objectives of the department as well as furnish experience in applying program planning principles, methods, and techniques in actual work situations.
Level IV: The primary purpose of this advanced trainee position is to assist in statewide planning development, and evaluation for coordination of comprehensive services for eligible individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing and deaf-blind, as the division's State Coordinator in Deafness and Deafness-Blindness, and to coordinate statewide planning, development and evaluation for the division's training and staff development program. The incumbent will continue advancing toward becoming an independent worker upon satisfactory completion of training and demonstration of the ability to perform duties and responsibilities of the higher level.
Level V: The primary purpose of this position is to conduct statewide planning, development, and evaluation for coordination of comprehensive services for eligible individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, and deaf-blind, as the division's State Coordinator in Deafness and Deafness-Blindness, and to coordinate statewide planning, development and evaluation for the division's training and staff development program. APPLICANTS WILL BE PLACED ON THE ELIGIBLE LIST FOR ALL LEVELS FOR WHICH THEY ARE QUALIFIED.
To qualify, you must meet all of the following requirements:
Level III: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. One (1) year of General Experience and one (1) year of Specialized Experience as described below. Such experience must have demonstrated the ability to develop training programs for persons with disabilities in adjusting to the training program and/or work situation, and to place them in gainful employment, and working with disability cases ranging from simple to the moderately complex.
Level IV: In addition to meeting the requirements for VRS III, one (1) additional year of Specialized Experience which demonstrated the ability to provide the full range of direct service activities under general supervision. Such experience must have demonstrated the ability to independently develop training programs for persons with disabilities, to assist them in adjusting to training or work situations and demonstrated successful contacts with management for the placement of disabled persons.
Level V: In addition to meeting the requirements for VRS IV, must have a minimum of one (1) additional year of Specialized Experience. Such experience must have demonstrated the ability to independently develop training programs for persons with the most severe disabilities, to assist them in adjusting to training program and/or work situation, and to place them in gainful employment.
General Experience: One (1) year of progressively responsible professional experience which has provided a general knowledge of training practices, techniques, and requirements in one or more occupations. This experience must have involved the application of two (2) or more of the following kinds of knowledge and skills:
1. Interviewing techniques;
2. Knowledge of various occupations and their requirements;
3. Social casework techniques;
4. Knowledge of the causes and problems of persons with physical and mental disabilities;
5. Counseling and/or guidance; and
6. Tests and measurements.
Specialized Experience: Three (3) years for Level V; Two (2) years for Level IV; One (1) year for Level III of experience in one or a combination of the following types of professional experience:
1. Vocational rehabilitation training as a regularly designated responsibility;
2. Vocational guidance and teaching work in a recognized vocational rehabilitation program or in a school for persons with disabilities;
3. Developmental work in programs of vocational rehabilitation located in an educational institution, government, business, or industry;
4. Personnel placement or employment placement experience which has provided extensive knowledge of training and rehabilitation requirements necessary to place persons with disabilities in one or more broad occupational areas; and
5. Vocational rehabilitation counseling experience involving the adjustment, training, and placement of persons with disabilities into gainful employment.
One (1) year of the Specialized Experience must be equivalent to the Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist (VRS) III or IV level in State government. Such experience must have demonstrated the ability to independently develop training programs for persons with the most severe disabilities, to assist them in adjusting to the training program and/or work situation, and to place them in gainful employment. This level of experience must have provided the applicant with substantial knowledge of mental and physical diseases and disabilities in terms of the practical effects such disabilities have in placing the individual in employment.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: For the VRS V in addition to meeting the above requirements, an applicants must possess the following:
KNOWLEDGE OF DEAFNESS: At least one (1) year of professional work experience which provided knowledge of the causes and treatment of deafness; hearing loss and/or deaf-blindness; psychosocial and cognitive influences of deafness, hearing loss and/or deaf-blindness, pre- and post-lingual onset; educational aspects of mainstreaming and transitioning for independent functioning in the community; dynamics of the community; its perceptions and misconceptions, and its influence on persons who are deaf, hard of hearing and/or deaf-blind; language and communication concerns of persons who are deaf, hard of hearing and/or deaf-blind; community resources and their availability and ability to meet the needs of persons who are deaf, hard of hearing, and/or deaf-blind; physical and interpersonal accommodation and assistive devices available to meet the needs of persons who are deaf, hard of hearing and/or deaf-blind at school, work and home; and ability to communicate and work cooperatively with persons who are deaf, hard of hearing and/or deaf-blind, and community agencies on behalf of persons who are deaf, hard of hearing and/or deaf-blind; plan and implement services for persons who are deaf, hard of hearing and/or deaf-blind; plan and implement services for persons who are deaf, hard of hearing and/or deaf-blind; and educate community service providers and other groups on the concerns of persons who are deaf, hard of hearing and/or deaf-blind, and the availability of resources, services and treatment. Such experience may have been gained concurrently or separately in meeting the minimum qualification requirements for the class VRS IV.
SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED:
1. Four (4) years of excess progressively responsible administrative, professional or analytical work experience which provided knowledge, skills and abilities comparable to those acquired in four (4) years of successful study leading to a baccalaureate degree may be substituted for the bachelor’s degree. To be acceptable, the experience must have been of such scope, level and quality as to assure possession of comparable knowledge, skills and abilities. The experience background must also demonstrate the ability to write clear and comprehensive reports and other documents; read and interpret complex written material; and solve complex problems logically and systematically.
2. Possession of a master’s degree with specialization in rehabilitation counseling from an accredited college or university whose program is accredited by the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE) and included successful completion of practicum and/or internship in vocational rehabilitation counseling, or possession of a comparable master’s degree, may be substituted for one (1) year of General Experience and one (1) year of Specialized Experience.
3. A master’s degree from an accredited college or university in social work, psychology, counseling and guidance or a related field which does not include the specialization in rehabilitation counseling may be substituted for one (1) year of General Experience.
4. Successful completion of graduate level coursework from an accredited college or university which included courses in psychology, counseling and guidance, or related fields may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester credit hours for six (6) months of General Experience.
5. Successful completion of graduate level coursework from an accredited college or university which covered topics pertinent to vocational rehabilitation counseling may be substituted for the Specialized Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester credit hours for a maximum of (6) months of Specialized Experience.
6. Excess Specialized Experience may be substituted for General Experience on a month-for-month basis.
7. A master’s degree from an accredited college or university in Rehabilitation Counseling with specialization in deafness may be substituted for the one (1) year of work experience which provided the knowledge and abilities described under Knowledge of Deafness. This degree may not, however, substitute for experience comparable to the VRS III or IV in State service, required to meet the minimum qualification requirements for the class VRS V.
8. A master’s degree from an accredited college or university in Special Education with specialization in deafness may be substituted for the one (1) year of work experience which provided the knowledge and abilities described under Knowledge of Deafness. This degree may not, however, substitute for experience comparable to the class VRS III or IV in State service, required to meet the minimum qualification requirements for the VRS V.
The information provided above represents a summary of the Minimum Qualification Requirements. To view the Requirements in their entirety, please CLICK HERE (Download PDF reader) (Download PDF reader). 3.205:052919:13:JH
The State of Hawai'i complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If you require reasonable accommodations in completing an application, any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the selection process, please call (808) 586-4981 for assistance.
PUBLIC SERVICE LOAN FORGIVENESS (PSLF) PROGRAM:
The PSLF Program is a federal program that is intended to encourage individuals to work in public service by forgiving the balance of their federal student loans. To qualify, the individual must have made 120 qualifying payments while employed by a qualifying employer. For more information, please click: https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service
ELECTRONIC NOTIFICATION TO APPLICANTS:
The Department of Human Services (DHS) will use electronic mail (email) to notify applicants of important information relating to the status and processing of their applications as part of our ongoing efforts to increase operational efficiency, promote the conservation of green resources, and minimize delays and costs.
Please ensure that the email address and contact information you provide is current, secure, and readily accessible to you. We will not be responsible in any way if you do not receive our emails or fail to check your email-box in a timely manner. In addition, please be aware that you may no longer receive notification about applications submitted if you choose to disable the Job Application Emails feature in your Account Settings.
TESTING INFORMATION:
The examination for this recruitment will be conducted on an unassembled basis where the examination score is based on an evaluation and rating of your education and experience. It is therefore important that your employment application provide a clear and detailed description of the duties and responsibilities of each position you held.
In-person interviews and/or further testing in Hawaii may be required at the discretion of the hiring agency. If in-person interviews and/or further testing is a requirement, applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements and are referred to the vacancy must be available to participate in person and at their own expense in this required phase of the selection process.
Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications as soon as possible. In addition to employment availability and score, the referral of qualified applicants may be based upon other factors including date of receipt of application.
CLICK HERE for further information about Equal Employment Opportunity, the Merit Civil Service System, Citizenship and other requirements, Reasonable Accommodation, Veterans Preference, Examination Requirements, and the DHS Human Resources Office's Levels of Review.
Agency
Department of Human Services
1390 Miller Street, Room 202
Honolulu, Hawaii 96809-0339
Inquiries about this recruitment may be directed to:
DHS // Human Resources Office // Recruitment and Examination Staff
Ph: (808) 586-4981
Salary : $4,858 - $5,918
