VOCATIONAL
REHABILITATION COUNSELOR 3735
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS
An employee in this class performs specialized
professional vocational counseling work involving responsibility for planning
and guiding the rehabilitation and job placement of clients who are
vocationally handicapped for any of a variety of reasons. The type of population serviced may vary from
those who have physical disabilities or are undergoing drug treatment, to
clients of social services as part of programs aimed at eliminating the
necessity of public assistance through job placement. The employee is responsible for conducting
intake interviews and determining an applicant’s eligibility for vocational
counseling services and financial assistance.
The incumbent works closely with professional supervisors, physicians,
job coaches, and County and private training agencies in establishing and
maintaining a vocational training and placement program, sound judgment and
initiative. Work is reviewed by
professional superiors through staff or personal conferences and through the
review of written reports. Does related
work as required.
TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES
Interviews clients
for rehabilitation counseling and training; determines the nature of any
disabilities and eligibility for vocational rehabilitation and placement
services;
Assigns, reviews and follows up with the work of job coaches;
Studies and
evaluates clients’ previous training, employment, aptitudes and handicaps, and
recommends and arranges for suitable vocational training and placement;
Refers patients to
community service programs when appropriate;
Initiates clients’
participation in Federal and State assistance programs;
Obtains approval
and arranges for clients’ hospitalization and corrective medical or surgical
treatment if necessary;
Establishes and
maintains effective working relationships with employers, educators, job
coaches, government and private agency representatives;
Addresses various
groups concerning vocational rehabilitation;
Participates in
periodic staff conferences and confers with supervisory personnel on matters
requiring their judgment and assistance;
Determines need and
amount of financial assistance for clients’ maintenance and transportation;
Prepares clear and
comprehensive reports on the progress and status of each client.
FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONNEL
CHARACTERISTICS
Thorough knowledge of the principles, practices and techniques of
vocational rehabilitation work; thorough knowledge of applicable laws, rules
and regulations relating to the State and County vocational rehabilitation
programs; good knowledge of community service programs; good knowledge of
current sources of information and literature pertaining to the rehabilitation
programs; good knowledge of community vocational training agencies and
employment placement sources; ability to establish effective working
relationships with clients, employers, physicians, agency representatives and
other interested persons and to evaluate information gathered through
interviews and investigations; ability to prepare clear, accurate and
comprehensive reports of the status of persons in the vocational rehabilitation
program; physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
OPEN
COMPETITIVE
Graduation from a
college with federally-authorized accreditation or registration by NY State with
a Bachelor’s Degree and two (2) years of satisfactory experience in vocational
rehabilitation counseling or educational and vocational guidance.
NOTE: Relevant additional education
from a college with federally-authorized accreditation or registration by NY
State will be substituted for experience on a year-for-year basis to a maximum
of one year.
At the time of appointment and during employment in this title,
employees must possess a valid license to operate a motor vehicle in New York
State. License must be maintained
throughout employment in this title.
R 11/29/23
SUFFOLK COUNTY
Competitive