This position shall be filled in accordance with the provisions of the SEIU/1199 Collective Bargaining Agreement.  Apply by going to www.careers.ohio.gov

Hourly: $21.76 OR $23.75 with CRC

You may be assigned to additional counties on a regular basis. Areas of responsibility may include but not limited to:

Various Counties

Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) has a full-time opportunity for Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC). OOD may require VRC employees to travel extensively within the state to provide services across many counties to individuals with disabilities.

Some VRC duties include:

·         Counsel individuals toward increased functioning and mutually agreeable vocational goals

·         Interview individuals with disabilities to gather detailed information about their work history, medical situation, and more;

·         Interpret diagnostic information;

·         Counsel individuals and their families concerning strengths and limitations based on diagnostic information;

·         Determines eligibility for services;

·         Develops comprehensive individual written VR plans.

Key attributes for a VRC include:

·         Ability to analyze technical material;

·         Outstanding public relations and customer service skills;

·         Excellent interviewing techniques;

·         Ability to work collaboratively and develop rapport;

·         Ability to conduct research and analyze results;

·         Excellent computer skills

As a VRC, you will learn about:

·         Public law;

·         Rehabilitation counseling;

·         Programs related to individuals with disabilities;

·         Employment barriers and accommodations

Minimum Qualifications

-Master's degree in human service area (e.g., rehabilitation counseling, counseling, social work, psychology, sociology, special education, communication disorders, rehabilitation teaching).

Major Worker Characteristics

Knowledge of public relations, departmental policy & procedures related to vocational programs; eligibility criteria; evaluation & appraisal techniques; available community & governmental resources; human services area (i.e., rehabilitation counseling, psychology, sociology, social work, special education, pre-medicine, guidance & counseling, nursing, occupational or physical therapy, speech & hearing); nature & implications of physical or mental disability. Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts & draw valid conclusions; calculate fractions, decimals & percentages; develop service plans suitable to client needs; gather, collate & classify data, handle sensitive face-to-face contacts & develop good rapport with client.

Supplemental Information

If the selected candidate possesses a current CRC, the starting wage will be $23.75 per hour.

Testing for this position is tentatively scheduled for January 12-14, 2016.

Applicants must submit an online application through the Ohio Hiring Management System. All communication and/or status updates regarding this position will be done electronically.

Applicants must submit a copy of an official graduate level college transcript to document advanced levels of education and/or coursework by the deadline date. In addition, applicants must submit appropriate supporting documentation if applying based on CRC.

It is preferred that Transcripts and/or other supporting documentation be attached to your online application; however, they may be e-mailed to OOD.HRSelections@ood.ohio.gov. If e-mailing, include the job title and your name in the subject line.

Federal regulations from the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) require that Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) hire and maintain qualified rehabilitation personnel to provide vocational rehabilitation services to individuals with disabilities. In order to meet this requirement and maintain employment as a vocational rehabilitation counselor (VRC) with the OOD, VRCs are required to have successfully completed theories and techniques of counseling coursework. This coursework may be part of the qualifying graduate degree program.  If not part of a qualifying graduate degree program, then the coursework must be successfully completed within one year of the date of employment, i.e. during the probationary period.

Selection Process:

These positions are filled through a two-part process, which consist of an assessment and structured interview.

The final candidate selected for the position will be required to undergo a criminal background check. Criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude an applicant from consideration for a position. An individual assessment of an applicant's prior criminal convictions will be made before excluding an applicant from consideration.

The final applicant selected for this position will be required to undergo a drug screen prior to final offer. The State will decline to extend a final offer of employment to any applicant with a verified positive test result. Also, an applicant with a positive test result will not be considered for any position with the State of Ohio for a period of one year.