Career Counseling & Transition Services Specialist (VR Service or Rehabilitation Specialist)
State of Nebraska

Job Info

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The work we do matters!

Hiring Agency:
Education - Agency 13

Location:
North Platte, NE

Hiring Rate:
$24.975

Job Posting:
JR2024-00009759 Career Counseling & Transition Services Specialist (VR Service or Rehabilitation Specialist) (Open)

Applications No Longer Accepted On (If no date is displayed, job is posted as open until closed):
09-24-2024

Job Description:
We are excited to announce TWO openings for VR Specialists at our North Platte office! Both positions will work with adult Nebraska VR clients, guiding them through the career planning process and supporting them in achieving their employment goals. Additionally, one position will have the opportunity to work with high school students with disabilities, assisting them in preparing for life after high school.

We're seeking candidates with excellent communication and interpersonal skills, along with a proactive approach to problem-solving and critical thinking. Bilingual (English/Spanish) is a plus. If you thrive on building relationships, solving problems creatively, and making a meaningful impact every day, we'd love to hear from you!

Office Location & Schedule: These positions are assigned to our office located in North Platte, NE, with potential for some telework contingent upon proper agency approvals.

Pay Rates:

The available salary rate for this position is dependent on education.

• Successful candidates with a bachelor's degree will be hired as a Service Specialist, at a salary rate of $24.975 per hour.
• Successful candidates with a master's degree will be hired as a Rehabilitation Specialist, at a salary rate of $30.219 per hour.

Teammates Enjoy

In addition to being part of meaningful work and making a difference through public service, our Total Compensation package includes an approximate $24,500 - $26,900 in additional Benefits value! See full benefits information at https://statejobs.nebraska.gov/index.html#benefits

• Competitive benefits, paid time off, and retirement
  • 79% employer-paid health insurance, dental, vision, long and short-term disability, flex spending and health savings accounts, employee discount program, and more!
  • Generous vacation and sick leave earnings each year (starting at 12 days each!), plus a variety of other leave types
  • 156% state-matched retirement (yes, that's $1.56 for every dollar!) with a guaranteed 5% return
• Thirteen paid holidays per year

Essential Functions

• Conducts employment discussion and career exploration to assess client strengths and barriers, vocational interests, aptitude, skills, preferences, and values.
• Determines and prepares case for client eligibility, priority groups, job goal, and plan for employment by analyzing and synthesizing medical and psychological reports, social, education, and employment information.
• Develops and manages Individualized Plans for Employment (IPEs), and employment outcome determinations.
• Advises and instructs people with disabilities in informed decision making, interpersonal, educational, and vocational skills.
• Visits high schools to provide career exploration services and work readiness skills training to high school students with disabilities. Provides education related to resumes, applications, and interviewing skills.
• Demonstrates beneficial soft skills (e.g., timeliness, dependability) and advises students in informed decision making, interpersonal, and vocational skills. Develops engaging, educational, and interactive group activities.
• Assists students with strengthening their self-advocacy skills related to their disabilities.
• Arranges job exploration activities such as informational interviews, job shadows, work-based learning experiences, etc.
• Develops and maintains relationships with students, parents, teachers, other educational entity staff, and businesses or employers to ensure quality services for each student and provide information about Nebraska VR services.
• Attends Individual Educational Plan (IEP) meetings to gain understanding of student needs and update school staff on VR involvement.
• Provides outreach and information about vocational rehabilitation to the community, including referral sources and schools.
• Monitors and advocates for client progress to support efficient follow through by team members and providers to ensure client success.
• Recommends the purchase of goods and services for clients in accordance with established fiscal policies and procedures.
• Demonstrates commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment.

Working Conditions and Travel:

This position requires approximately 55% of work time spent in an office environment (e.g., state offices, home offices); the remainder of work time is spent in the community. Employees may be asked, within reason, to use their own personal vehicles for travel. There is also approximately two days of overnight travel per year.

Requirements / Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

Service Specialist: Bachelor's degree in a related field and at least one year of work experience related to the essential functions of the position.

Rehabilitation Specialist: Master's degree with emphasis in one of the following areas: Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling, Counseling and Guidance, or another field that reasonably provides competence in the employment sector, in a disability field, or both.

Preferred Qualifications:

Service Specialist: Experience working with, and advocating for, people with disabilities. Ability to manage high volume of cases and provide case management services while collaborating with a variety of stakeholders. Bilingual in English/Spanish.

Rehabilitation Specialist: Master's degree in related field and progressively responsible experience working with, and advocating for, people with significant disabilities. Ability to mentor others in managing high volume of cases and providing quality case management services. Bilingual in English/Spanish.


Benefits

We offer a comprehensive package of pay, benefits, paid time off, retirement and professional development opportunities to help you get the most out of your career and life. Your paycheck is just part of your total compensation.

Check out all that the State of Nebraska has to offer! Benefit eligibility may vary by position, agency and employment status. For more information on benefits, please visit: https://statejobs.nebraska.gov/index.html#benefits

Equal Opportunity Statement

The State of Nebraska values our teammates as well as a supportive environment that strives to promote diversity, inclusion, and belonging. We recruit, hire, train, and promote in all job classifications and at all levels without regard to race, color, religion, sex. age, national origin, disability, marital status or genetics.

Current employees of the State of Nebraska should NOT apply on this external career. Instead go to Workday and access the Jobs Hub - Internal Apply app from your home landing page.

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