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Rehabilitation Counselor I/Intern for the Blind and Low Vision

Colorado Department of Labor and Employment
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THIS ANNOUNCEMENT WILL REMAIN OPEN UNTIL 5:00 PM ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30th, 2023.
A residency waiver has been granted for this announcement.
Applications will be considered from residents and non-residents of Colorado.
This position will have remote and hybrid workplace options available but will still be required to report to the listed address at the discretion of the supervisor and based on business need. 

The Department of Labor and Employment keeps Colorado strong and competitive. We connect workers with great jobs and assist those who have been injured on the job. We help people who are unemployed through no fault of their own by providing temporary wage replacement and we ensure fair labor practices. We provide an up-to-date and accurate picture of the economy that helps in decision making. And we protect the workplace – and Colorado communities – with a variety of consumer protection and safety programs.
 
This is a values-driven organization, committed to accountability, agility, collaboration, and respect.
 
We believe in outstanding customer service, an inclusive culture, continued process improvement and in our role as a trusted and strategic partner. Recognizing that knowledgeable employees drive our success, we are seeking dedicated individuals who exhibit our shared values and our passion for quality and excellence in all we do.
 
In addition to rewarding and meaningful work, we offer excellent benefits:

CDLE has implemented a pilot program on March 1st, 2022 which will award Disability Hiring Preference Points similar to the Veterans’ Preference Points program. During your application process you will be asked if you would like to be considered for either of these programs for additional points in the hiring process. To learn more about Disability Hiring Preference and what will be required to participate, please visit our website: https://sites.google.com/state.co.us/disability-hiring-preference/home
PLEASE NOTE: With the beginning of this program, CDLE will no longer accept attachments of any kind with applications. Please be as thorough as possible in documenting your education and work history in the application system. Attachments will not be accepted or considered during any phase of the hiring process including minimum qualification screening, comparative analysis, or interviews.
Description of Job
Rehabilitation Counselor Intern Salary:
$ 3,858.00 - $ 4,305.00 Monthly 
$46,296.00 - $ 51,660.00 Annually 

Rehabilitation Counselor I Salary:
$ 4,457.00 - $ 4,974.00 Monthly
$53,484.00 - $59,688.00 Annually 

The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation helps individuals with disabilities prepare for and secure employment. We help them take their rightful place in the workforce and in the community.

Provide rehabilitation services to all eligible persons within an assigned referral area. This involves determination of eligibility, development of Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE), and the provision of services such as counseling and guidance, educational skills training, physical and mental restoration, and job placement assistance that will lead toward the successful rehabilitation of the individual in a suitable employment setting.
Schedules and completes intake process, obtains client's medical, social and vocational history. Analyzes data to determine what further data needs to be collected. Arranges for and schedules general medical examinations, specialty examinations, vocational assessments, psychological testing, etc. Request existing information where available after securing appropriate release of information forms.

Compiles and analyzes gathered data to determine that apparent and suspected disabilities have been identified and evaluated. Follows up on all recommendations made by physicians, converts and translates data gathered into functional limitations and makes determination if applicant's condition constitutes a vocational barrier. Certifies applicant as eligible or ineligible and follows due process insuring client's rights. Makes determination of severe disability and places client in proper category of priority.

Develops certification stating functional limitations; identifies and states specific vocational limitations: develops strategy to determine what services need to be provided to overcome vocational barriers. This is done by using expertise in areas of medical aspects vocational and psychological assessment and knowledge of individual differences to compile an eligibility statement. Eligibility statement requires synthesis and interpretation of all gathered information into a form that assesses client's vocational limitations, assets, interests, and expectations.
Counsels with clients and provides vocational guidance to develop a viable Individualized Plan of Employment (IPE) that will supply appropriate services to overcome the vocational barriers. Uses expertise of what available resources can be used to meet this goal, and provides counseling and guidance in a process that assures that the vocational goal is realistic and suitable. Establishes evaluation criteria for measuring progress toward goal, sets time frames and identifies service providers.

Initiates plan for meeting established vocational goals and intermediate objectives. Locates, arranges for, provides brokers, develops, creates, contracts for, and authorizes services to meet the individual needs of each client. Identifies and assigns fiscal responsibility of all involved, including locating comparable benefits, determining client's ability for financial participation, and enacting any cooperative arrangements with other agencies.

Monitors the provision of services during the life of the IPE to ensure the quality of effectiveness of services toward meeting the vocational goal. Is responsible for the financial accountability of services provided as well as assuring that comparable benefits and resources are developed and used when possible as "first dollar." Ensures that all planned services are provided; that new services are not needed or, if needed, amends the IPE to include newly identified services, and that client is meeting evaluation criteria stated on the IPE.

Provides services such as selective placement, job-seeking skills training, and job placement assistance to clients to meet outcomes of IPE. Utilizes knowledge of the world of work, local labor market trends, etc., to assist client to enter employment and determine that employment is substantial and suitable for individual. Monitors contacts with employers and conducts on-going meetings.

Manages caseload to assure client movement through the vocational rehabilitation process. Maintains integrity of program, fiscal rules, policy and procedures. Follows all areas of due process and keeps documentation current in each case file; manages case service budget to assure funds judicially expended. Involves and notifies clients of all decisions which affect them and provides them with methods to appeal decisions if there is a disagreement. 

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights
Rehabilitation Counselor Intern Requirements  
Substitutions 
Bachelor's Degree in Human Services-related field AND two years of experience providing services to individuals with disabilities appropriate to the work assignment.
 
Minimum Qualifications:
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master's Degree in one of the following: Counseling, Rehabilitation Teaching, Education, Orientation and Mobility, Psychology, Social Work, Sociology, Behavioral Science, Human Services, or closely related human services field.

Condition of Employment:
Must sign an agreement to complete additional educational and work requirements to meet the minimum qualifications of a Rehabilitation Counselor I (Master's degree and work experience) within 5 years of becoming a certified state employee. The State of Colorado will not be responsible for payment of this additional education 

Rehabilitation Counselor I Requirements
Minimum Qualifications:
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master's degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from a program fully accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs (CACREP), or for graduation prior to July 1, 2017, accredited by the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE)
 OR 
 Possession of a current certification in Vision Rehabilitation Therapist from the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP), or a Commission on Rehabilitation Counseling Certification credential (CRCC)
 OR
 Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master's degree in Counseling, Psychology, Special Education, Social Work, Behavioral Science, Disability Studies or closely related human services field AND two (2) years of experience working directly with individuals who have disabilities.
 
Preferred Qualifications
  • Professional experience working for a state vocational rehabilitation agency
  • Professional experience working to assist people with disabilities to achieve successful employment outcomes.
  • Experience in vocational, career counseling, academic advisement
  • Experience with Microsoft Office/Google
  • Professional experience working with case management system
Required Competencies
  • Communication skills 
  • Compassion. Rehabilitation counselors often work with people who are dealing with stressful and difficult situations.
  • Critical-thinking skills
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Disability awareness
  • Knowledge of psychosocial aspects of blindness and the services provided to individuals with vision loss 
Conditions of Employment
  • Any applicant selected from outside of Colorado will be required to become a Colorado Resident by their start of employment date.
  • You must pass a thorough background check prior to employment which will include the E-Verify process.
  • Must be able to travel routinely to meet with clients and to attend meetings. 
  • All applicants must submit their academic transcript to martina.olague@state.co.us with Rehabilitation Counselor I/Intern 1411 BLVS - Colorado Springs in the subject line.
APPEAL RIGHTS:

If you receive notice that you have been eliminated from consideration for this position, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board or request a review by the State Personnel Director.

An appeal or review must be submitted on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative. This form must be delivered to the State Personnel Board by email (dpa_state.personnelboard@state.co.us), postmarked in US Mail or hand delivered (1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver CO 80203), or faxed (303.866.5038) within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgement of the department’s action.

For more information about the appeals process, the official appeal form, and how to deliver it to the State Personnel Board; go to spb.colorado.gov; contact the State Personnel Board for assistance at (303) 866-3300; or refer to 4 Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, at spb.colorado.gov under Rules.

Supplemental Information
For questions regarding this recruitment, please contact: martina.olague@state.co.us

Minimum Qualification Screening
A Human Resources Analyst will only review the work experience/job duties sections of the online job application to determine whether you meet the minimum qualifications for the position for which you are applying. Cover letters and resumes WILL NOT be accepted in lieu of the official State of Colorado online application, CDLE does not accept attachments of any kind during the application process. Part-time work experience will be prorated.

Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications to continue in the selection process for this position. Work experience and qualifications must be specifically documented on your online application. Do not use "see resume" or "see attached" statements on your application. CDLE does not accept attachments of any kind during the application process.
 
Comparative Analysis Process – Structured Application Review
After minimum qualification screening, the comparative analysis process for this position will involve a review and rating of all the information you submit with your application materials. Therefore, it is extremely important to document in the work experience/job duties portion of your online application the extent to which you possess the education, experience, minimum qualifications, and preferred qualifications as outlined in the job announcement. It is also important to thoroughly answer all supplemental questions as your answers to these questions will be evaluated during this phase.
 
Supplemental Questions
Answer the supplemental questions on the application completely and thoughtfully. Your answers may be rated based on your writing ability (spelling, grammar, and clarity of your writing) as well as the content of your answer.

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT MAY BE USED TO FILL MULTIPLE VACANCIES
The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.

The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our interim ADAAA Coordinator, Kathy Golden, at kathy.golden@state.co.us or call 303-318-8163. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. For all other inquiries about this recruitment effort, please call 303-318-8200.