Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (Austin)

Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC) Trainee - Sr VRC

For Texas to be GREAT, we need the best and brightest talent like you! The public vocational rehabilitation (VR) program administered through the Texas Workforce Commission helps people with disabilities to prepare for, obtain, retain, and advance in employment. Make a difference and help people with VR. According to the Department of Labor, the unemployment rate for people with disabilities was 12.6% in 2020. This jobless rate continues to be much higher than the rate for those without disabilities. Public service in VR is for you if you want to find meaningful work and contribute to a powerful mission. For more than 100 years VR has been helping individuals with disabilities achieve their employment goals! If you are looking for career and advancement opportunities. There are various positions with career ladders and opportunities to specialize in areas of interest: Autism, Blind and Visual Impairments, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Brain Injury, Foster Youth, Transition Students, Veterans. If you need a comprehensive benefits package that offers competitive pay and benefits from health plans, life insurance, retirement programs, paid leave and holidays, and longevity pay. If you have direct VR Counseling work experience, receive higher starting salary. If you want to advance your education with our tuition assistance program. Free CEUs to maintain CRC credentials and reimbursement for CRC and LPC renewals.

The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), a Family Friendly Certified Workplace, is seeking a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC) Trainee - Sr VRC to join the Vocational Rehabilitation Department located at Criss Cole Rehabilitation Center, at 4800 N Lamar Blvd., Austin, Texas. TWC is not considering applications from individuals who require sponsorship for an employment visa, including those currently on student or postgraduate visas. You must be a Texas resident to work for the Texas Workforce Commission or willing to relocate to Texas.

Benefits to working for TWC include:

• Competitive starting salary: $3,582.00 - $4,940.00/month.
• Salary and position level will be based on experience and demonstrated skills.
• This is a career ladder position which means each level is required to meet the established career ladder requirements in order to be promoted to the next level.
• External hires will be brought in as VRC Trainee upon hire and after a successful completion of the VRC Trainee 6-month probationary period will be considered for a promotion to VRC I to include a 5% increase.
• Additional benefits for active employees: https://www.ers.texas.gov/Active-Employees/Health-Benefits.

The VRC Trainee performs highly complex (senior-level) case management work in support of the mission, goals and values of the Texas Workforce Commission. The VRC I-Sr VRC performs routine to senior-level vocational rehabilitation work in support of the mission, goals and values of the Texas Workforce Commission. VRC Trainee to Sr VRC applies critical thinking skills and sound decision making in performance of routine rehabilitation work in the Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) program. This program assists eligible individuals with disabilities to prepare for, retain, obtain and/or advance in competitive, integrated employment and includes assisting students with disabilities to transition successfully from high school to postsecondary education and employment.

The ideal candidate will perform work using the applicable policy, guidance, and the electronic case management system. The VRC is hired by the VR Supervisor with the approval of the VR Manager, and works independently, with moderate to minimal supervision by the VR Supervisor.

General Duties:

• Assists eligible individuals with disabilities to prepare for, retain, obtain and/or advance in competitive, integrated employment and includes assisting students with disabilities to transition successfully from high school to postsecondary education and employment.
• Develops and maintains relations with community referral sources, businesses, employers and schools.
• Collects and analyzes all information necessary to make an accurate eligibility decision (e.g. medical, psychological, school records, employment records, etc.).
• Assists the customer in choosing an appropriate employment by analyzing information to determine the customers strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities and interests, and matching that information to the current job market.
• Works with the consumer to develop a plan of services designed to achieve the consumers identified employment goals.
• Ensures timely, cost-effective provision of services and consumer progress toward achievement of their employment goal.
• Develops and implements a process leading to successful job placement.
• Applies best value purchasing practices and uses available, comparable benefits and services to ensure effective use of public funds.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Masters degree with major in Rehabilitation Counseling or Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling from an accredited college or university; OR masters degree with major in counseling or related degrees such as Special Education, Social Work, Psychology, or Human Services from an accredited college or university plus one-year related work experience.
• Masters degree with any other major plus two years related work experience; OR Bachelors degree with a major in vocational rehabilitation from an accredited college or university plus one-year related work experience; OR Bachelors degree with major in Counseling, Education, Social Work, Sociology, Psychology, or Public Health from an accredited college or university plus two years related work experience; OR Bachelors degree with any other major plus three years related work experience.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's Degree in a field of study reasonably related to vocational rehabilitation, such as vocational rehabilitation counseling, social work, psychology, disability studies, business administration, human resources, special education, supported employment, customized employment, economics, or another field that reasonably prepares individuals to work with customers and employers. No experience required. All levels: Depending on required qualifications and experience, a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC) vacancy may be filled at any level from a VRC Trainee to Sr VRC. Factors such as education, credentials, and previous experience with the agency will be considered when establishing the hiring level and starting salary. Experience as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor must be in accordance with the career ladder requirements of the agency. Related work experience is defined as case management, counseling, job placement and general knowledge of disabilities. Applicants selected who do not have a masters degree in Rehabilitation Counseling or CRC certificate or LPC credential will be required to meet the CSPD educational requirements within a time frame established upon employment. This will entail taking specific courses that focus on the professional role of a Rehabilitation Counselor. When advancing from the VRC Trainee to the VRC I level, the individual must have 1 year of paid or unpaid experience working with people with disabilities. Copy of official transcripts, certifications and/or credentials will be requested at the time of interview. These positions may involve up to 30% travel, and method of trans