Rehabilitation Counselor I

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:

• Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including a PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan plus 401(k) and 457 plans

• Medical and dental health plans

• Employer supplemented Health Savings Account

• Paid life insurance

• Short- and long-term disability coverage

• 11 paid holidays per year plus vacation and sick leave

• BenefitHub state employee discount program

• MotivateMe employee wellness program

• Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, training and more

• Access to participate in employer-supported employee affinity spaces

• RTD Eco-Pass Commuter Program

• Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information go to https://dhr.colorado.gov/dhr-resources/student-loan-forgiveness-programs

Our agency website: Colorado Department of Labor and Employment

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.

The salary for this position is:
$29.70 - $35.97 Hourly
$2,376.00 - $2,877.23 Biweekly
$5,148.00 - $6,234.00 Monthly
$61,776.00 - $74,808.00 Annually
Rehabilitation Counselor I - H6R2TX
The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) assists people with disabilities to succeed at work and live independently. We believe that anyone with a disability who wants to work, can work, regardless of the type or severity of their disability. We work closely with a variety of partners and stakeholders, including our vendors, employers, state and federal agencies, and Workforce Centers and Centers for Independent Living. The Division is innovative, always working to improve its services. DVR uses public funds to provide our services, so it is important that this money be used responsibly according to our policy, and state and federal rules and regulations.
The primary focus of a Rehabilitation Counselor I is to assist persons with disabilities to achieve and maintain successful employment outcomes through the application of the rehabilitation process. The effective implementation of the rehabilitation process includes the following activities:

• Provides rehabilitation services to all eligible and potentially 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 pre-employment transition services, 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
Current, valid Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) certification issued by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counseling will substitute for the degree requirement.
OR
Master's degree from an accredited institution in a field of study related to the work assigned to the position and two years of professional experience in an occupational field related to the work assigned to the position will substitute for the degree requirement.
Education and Experience:
Master's degree from an accredited institution 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, the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE).
Required Competencies:

• Counseling Skill: Appropriate verbal and non-verbal attending behavior to communicate understanding, create clarity and builds rapport.
• Job Knowledge: Foundational understanding of federal regulations, policy, fee schedule, procedures and AWARE.
• Collaboration: Skills necessary to foster a collaborative environment as it pertains to community partners, vendors and staff to assure the success of people we serve.
• Case Management: Effective time management, quality documentation and organization.
• Communication skills including active listening
• Critical thinking skills including attention to detail
• Disability awareness
• Interpersonal skills
• Flexibility
• Patience

Preferred Qualifications:

• Professional experience working for a state vocational rehabilitation agency as a Rehabilitation Counselor
• Professional experience working to assist people with disabilities to achieve successful employment outcomes
• Experience in vocational, career counseling, or academic advisement
• Experience with Microsoft Office and Google Suite
• Professional experience working with case management systems

Conditions of Employment

• This posting is open to current and non-current residents of the State of Colorado at the time of submitting your application. However, if you are selected and accept the position, you will be required to establish residence in the State of Colorado by your start date of employment
• You must pass a thorough background check prior to employment which will include the E-Verify process.
• You must be able to report to the office at least 2 days per week and according to business need; travel will also be required to work with clients within the counties of Summit, Grand, and Lake.
• All applicants must submit their academic transcripts to david.stevenson@state.co.us with Rehabilitation Counselor I - Frisco in the subject line.

For questions regarding this recruitment, please contact: david.stevenson@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 (if listed) 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 ou...