Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor 1/2/3 (PCN 05-2022)

Posting number: 54593

Department: Labor & Workforce Development

Division: DVR-Client Services Anchorage

Job classification: Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor 2

Posting type: Open

Categories: Clerical & Data Entry, Mental Health, Human Services, Customer Service, Counseling, Community and Social Services, Career Exploration, Rehabilitation Services, Medical

Summary

This recruitment is exempt from the Hiring Freeze (Administrative Order 358).

RECRUITMENT EXTENSION NOTICE
The recruitment period for this vacancy has been extended to allow for a larger applicant pool. If you have already applied there is no need to reapply.

ATTENTION ALASKA RESIDENTS!

The Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, is recruiting for a
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor 1/2/3 located in Anchorage!
No Cover Letter Required!

This position is in the General Government Unit (GGU) at a Range 16/18/20.

What You Will Be Doing:
In this position, you will evaluate and determine client eligibility for vocational rehabilitation services, approve individualized employment plans, and authorize case closures. You will provide counseling and guidance to clients with disabilities to help them identify career goals, overcome barriers, and achieve meaningful employment. The role involves interpreting assessments to determine each client’s strengths, abilities, and rehabilitation needs while developing and implementing effective service strategies. You will also approve and monitor services such as assistive technology, medical or psychological evaluations, and training or placement supports in accordance with federal regulations. Additionally, you will collaborate with schools, employers, and community partners to coordinate services, promote program awareness, and support successful employment outcomes for clients with disabilities.

Our Mission, Values, and Culture:
The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation assists individuals with disabilities in preparing for, obtaining, retaining, and advancing in competitive integrated employment. Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors contribute to this mission by providing comprehensive vocational counseling and guidance, coordinating individualized rehabilitation services, developing partnerships with employers and community providers, and ensuring services are delivered in accordance with federal and state regulations. Through a person-centered approach, counselors promote informed choice, independence, and meaningful employment outcomes for Alaskans with disabilities.

Benefits of Joining Our Team:
You will be joining a small, dedicated team with a big goal — helping Alaskans with disabilities obtain and maintain meaningful employment within Anchorage and, at times, in surrounding rural communities. In this role, you will have a direct impact on improving the lives of individuals by supporting their journey toward independence and long-term employment success across both urban and rural areas.

The Working Environment You Can Expect:
This position is located in a busy yet quiet administrative office and operates during regular business hours (8am - 5pm); flexibility is available within those hours in addition to the ability to telework at times. You will be working with a team of para-professional and professional staff helping Alaskans with disabilities obtain and maintain employment.

Who We Are Looking For:
We are interested in candidates who possess some or all of the following position specific competencies:

• Psychology: Knowledge of the concepts, principles, and theories of human behavior and performance in various contexts, mental processes, or the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
• Customer Service: Works with clients and customers (that is, any individuals who use or receive the services or products that your work unit produces, including the general public, individuals who work in the agency, other agencies, or organizations outside State government) to assess their needs, provide information or assistance, resolve their problems, or satisfy their expectations; knows about available products and services; is committed to providing quality products and services.
• Interpersonal Skills: Shows understanding, friendliness, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness to others; develops and maintains effective relationships with others; may include effectively dealing with individuals who are difficult, hostile, or distressed; relates well to people from varied backgrounds and different situations; is sensitive to cultural diversity, race, gender, disabilities, and other individual differences.
• Oral Communication: Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
• Teamwork: Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity; fosters commitment and team spirit; works with others to achieve goals.

To view the general description and example of duties for the position, please go to the following link:
https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/Alaska/classspecs

Examples of duties

Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Level 1:

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college

AND 

Any combination of education, training, and/or experience that provides the applicant with competencies in:

• Analytical Thinking/Problem Solving: Uses a logical, systematic, sequential approach to address problems or opportunities or manage a situation by drawing on one’s knowledge and experience base and calling on other references and resources as necessary. 

• Oral and Written Communication: Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral and written presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.

• Continual Learning: Assesses and recognizes own strengths and weaknesses; pursues self-development.

• Interpersonal Skills: Shows understanding, friendliness, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness to others; develops and maintains effective relationships with others; may include effectively dealing with individuals who are difficult, hostile, or distressed; relates well to people from varied backgrounds and different situations; is sensitive to cultural diversity, race, gender, disabilities, and other individual differences.

• Social Services: Knowledge of the concepts, principles, theories, practices, and current trends in social services used in the planning, design, implementation, and/or evaluation of programs that provide a broad range of social supports to individuals, families, and communities.

Equivalent to those typically gained by:
Any combination of post-secondary education and/or progressively responsible experience providing direct social assistance services to individuals with disabilities, guidance counseling, pre-employment services, job placement services, social work, mental or behavioral health services, or related field.

Special Note:
“Competencies” means a combination of interrelated knowledge, skills, abilities, and behaviors that enable a person to act effectively in a job or situation.

“Typically gained by” means the prevalent, usual method of gaining the competencies expected for entry into the job.

“Training” and “education” in this guidance are synonyms for the process of acquiring knowledge and skills through instruction. It includes instruction through formal and informal methods (such as classroom, on-line, self-study, and on-the-job), from accredited and unaccredited sources, and long-duration (such as a post-secondary degree) and short-duration (such as a seminar) programs.

Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Level 2:
A master’s degree from an accredited college in vocational rehabilitation, counseling psychology, social work, guidance counseling, special education, or a related discipline as defined by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC).

Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Level 3:
A Certification in Rehabilitation Counseling (CRC) from the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification.

Qualifications

**PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS & INFORMATION CAREFULLY**

THIS RECRUITMENT IS FOR ALASKA RESIDENTS ONLY
This recruitment is open to Alaska Residents only. Applicants must meet Alaska Residency Requirements in order to be considered for employment at this time.

FLEXIBLY STAFFED
This position is flexibly staffed. This vacancy may be filled at either Level 2 or Level 3, depending on the applicant's training and/or experience. The full range of salaries is listed above. Starting salary will be determined by the level the position is hired at. If filled at Level 2, promotion to Level 3 will occur upon successful completion of the probationary period and required training, as well as the applicant meeting the minimum qualifications of the higher job class.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED AT THE TIME OF INTERVIEW

• A list of three (3) professional references, one of which should be your most recent supervisor, including name, job title, employer, and current phone number(s).
• A copy of your last three (3) performance evaluations, or two (2) letters of reference if evaluations are unavailable.
• Transcripts from post secondary institution (unofficial copies are acceptable with the name of the accrediting institution clearly visible). 
• A copy of your Certification in Rehabilitation Counseling (CRC) if applying at the Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor 3 level.

LEGAL EMPLOYMENT
The State’s online recruitment system, Workplace Alaska, requires applicants to certify that they have a legal right to accept employment in the United States. It is the responsibility of the employee to maintain the appropriate documentation to accept or continue legal employment. The State of Alaska does not function in the role as an employer sponsor.

APPLICATION NOTICE
You can ONLY apply for this position through Workplace Alaska website or via hardcopy (paper) application. If you accessed this recruitment bulletin through a job search portal such as AlaskaJobs or any other database, you MUST use a Workplace Alaska online or hardcopy application to successfully apply. Instructions on how to apply with Workplace Alaska may be found on the Workplace Alaska “How to Apply” page.

Omission of any required documentation listed will result in an incomplete application and you will not receive further consideration. If you’re experiencing problems attaching to your application, or if you simply had forgotten, you may email it to the contact provided below before 5:00 pm of the closing date. Any documents submitted after the posting has closed will not be considered.

EDUCATION
If post-secondary education is required to meet the minimum qualifications, you must fill in the Education section of the application. If you have not obtained a degree, please indicate the number of units completed. Copies of transcripts are required to verify educational credentials if used to meet the minimum qualifications for a position. Transcripts must be attached at the time of application or submitted to the contact information below prior to the close of recruitment. If you’re unable to attach to your application, email it to the contact provided in the job posting. If email is not an option, please call the contact person to obtain a fax number.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR FOREIGN EDUCATION
Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above requirements, if applicable. If utilizing this education you must show that the education credentials have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and that such education has been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs; or an accredited U.S. state university reports the other institution as one whose transcript is given full value, or full value is given in subject areas applicable to the curricula at the state university. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.

WORK EXPERIENCE
If using work experience not already documented in your application, also provide the employer name, your job title, dates of employment, whether full-or part-time. Applications will be reviewed to determine if the responses are supported and minimum qualifications are clearly met. If they are not, the applicant may not advance to the interview and selection phase of the recruitment.

Note: Attaching a resume is not an alternative to filling out the application in its entirety. Noting, “see resume” or any similar response on any portion of your application may lead to a determination that your application is incomplete and removal from consideration for this job posting.

BARGAINING UNIT
If you are a current state employee, please mark the union you are a member of at the time of application. If you are not a current state employee, you must mark that it does not apply to you.

MULTIPLE VACANCIES
This recruitment may be used for more than one (1) vacancy. The applicant pool acquired during this recruitment may be used for future vacancies for up to ninety (90) days after this recruitment closes. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply to each recruitment notice to ensure consideration for all vacancies.

NOTICE
Questions regarding the application process can be directed to the Workplace Alaska hotline at 800-587-0430 (toll free) or (907) 465- 4095. If you choose to be contacted by email, please ensure your email address is correct on your application and that the spam filter will permit email from the ‘govermentjobs.com’ domains. For information on allowing emails from the ‘governmentjobs.com’ domains, visit the Lost Password Help page located at https://www.governmentjobs.com/OnlineApplication/User/ResetPassword

EEO STATEMENT
The State of Alaska complies with Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Individuals with disabilities, who require accommodation, auxiliary aides or services, or alternative communication formats, please call 1-800-587-0430 or (907) 465-4095 in Juneau or TTY: Alaska Relay 711 or 1-800-770-8973 or correspond with the Division of Personnel & Labor Relations at: P.O. Box 110201, Juneau, AK 99811-0201. The State of Alaska is an equal opportunity employer.

WORKPLACE ALASKA APPLICATION QUESTIONS & ASSISTANCE
Questions regarding application submission or system operation errors should be directed to the Workplace Alaska hotline at 1-800-587-0430 (toll free) or (907) 465-4095 if you are located in the Juneau area. Requests for information may also be emailed to: recruitment.services@alaska.gov
  
For applicant password assistance please visit: https://www.governmentjobs.com/js_lostpswd.cfm?&topheader=alaska

Supplemental information

Megan Schiele
Vocational Rehabilitation Manager
Phone: 907-269-2077
megan.schiele@alaska.gov