Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, Deaf and Hard of Hearing

THE POSITION

Do you have an understanding of vocational rehabilitation services and want to apply that knowledge to assist Pennsylvanians with disabilities gain the skills necessary to live and work independently in their communities? The Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR), York District Office is on the lookout for a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, Deaf and Hard of Hearing to complete the team. This position works with individuals with deafness or hard of hearing and requires the ability to communicate at the intermediate sign communication level. If you are interested in experiencing the satisfaction of public service while enjoying professional career growth, the Department of Labor & Industry wants you to apply!

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

This position's focus is to develop and maintain referral sources to ensure potential vocational rehabilitation customers are identified, as well as determine and coordinate the delivery of vocational rehabilitation services to customers with deafness or hard of hearing. You will have the opportunity to determine and create the appropriate vocational goals for each individual, provide counseling and guidance services, and assist in job placement for each customer. You can expect to maintain, evaluate and document customer progress through the vocational rehabilitation process and make appropriate rehabilitation plan amendments to enhance the opportunity for customer success.

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment
• Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with 30-minute lunch.
• Work hours are negotiable - 7.5 hour workday and lunch period is 30 minutes (or 60 minutes depending on work hours)
• Alternate Work Schedule eligible
• Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time upon successful completion of the training period. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in York. The ability to telework is subject to change at any time. Additional details may be provided during the interview.
• Salary: Selected candidates who are new to employment with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will begin employment at the starting annual salary of 64,783.00 (before taxes).
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• Successful completion of the Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Intern program or the Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Trainee, Deaf and Hard of Hearing program (Commonwealth job title or equivalent Federal Government job title, as determined by the Office of Administration); or
• A master's degree in vocational rehabilitation, deaf education, mental health, special education, social work, human services, psychology, or a closely related field; or
• Possession of an active Certified Rehabilitation Counselor certificate issued by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification; or
• Proof of approval to sit for the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) Certified Rehabilitation Counselor certification examination, provided by the CRCC, and completion of a master's degree.
• Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within 3 months of graduating with a qualifying degree/credit.

Special Requirement:

• All employees must be able to communicate at the intermediate sign communication level, or at the equivalent of intermediate sign communication level, as determined by a sign language proficiency evaluation approved by the Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation.

Other Requirements:

• PA residency requirement is currently waived for this title.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Legal Requirements:

• This position falls under the provisions of the Child Protective Services Law.
  • Under the Law, a conditional offer of employment will require submission and approval of satisfactory criminal history reports including, but not limited to, PA State Police clearance, PA Child Abuse history clearance, and FBI Fingerprint clearance.

How to Apply:

• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligi