Qualified Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Ii

The Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission is searching for an outgoing, motivated, and collaborative Qualified Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (QVRC) who will work with job seekers referred by the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA). This position works in a collaborative team approach, maximizing wrap-around services to support the job seeker. As the Vocational Counselor, the incumbent will cover multiple MRC or DTA offices using a regional approach to providing services. The Vocational Counselor will collaborate with DTA partners using a co-case management approach. Additionally, they will be trained to apply an Integrated Resource Team (IRT) approach to support the needs of the job seeker. The outcome of ongoing collaboration and communication includes:

Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are general and not all-inclusive):

• Collaborates with MRC or Work Without Limits Benefit Specialists to aid the job seeker with knowledge or impact of employment and benefits to encourage employment.
• Recommend purchase of equipment and materials.
• Schedule, attend, and lead meetings, maintain records, prepare reports, and document case notes professionally using a web-based electronic caseload management system.
• Develop partnerships with public and private organizations, including employers, service providers, career centers, and community groups.
• Conduct intake interviews and vocational counseling & guidance sessions with consumers who have physical, emotional, psychiatric, or other disabilities on a regular basis.
• Provide short and long-term engagement activities to job seekers with disabilities and/or co-occurring disorders while building relationships and providing vocational guidance and counseling.
• Develop, implement, and monitor an Individualized Plan for Employment for the consumer within the agency time standard to result in an employment outcome.
• Engage with potential job seekers and respond to inquiries from potential job seekers and their families regarding employment options, agency regulations, policies and procedures, and objectives.
• Provide at least one in-office training per year and serve as the office resource person in an area of exceptional mastery. (Examples include mobility impairment, substance abuse, mental health, ex-offender, DTA services).
• Present at conferences and special meetings and will mentor other staff in supporting individuals to access the services provided by DTA.
• Determine eligibility for vocational rehabilitation services through the review and analysis of records, tests, observation, and interviews to determine occupational interests, and abilities and make recommendations to meet consumer needs.
• Provide advocacy and referral to other agencies as needed, ensuring comparable benefits are explored.

Required Qualifications:

• Knowledge of the methods & techniques of determining individual interests, aptitudes, skills, and occupational preferences.
• Verbal & Written Comprehension: Understands information and ideas by reading, and ability to present ideas in writing.
• Open to change and variety in the workplace while being sensitive to others’ needs and feelings.
• Knowledge of the methods & techniques to determine individual interests, aptitudes, skills, and occupational preferences.
• Active listening skills: listening to what other people say and asking appropriate questions.
• Knowledge of the principles & practices of assisting people with physical and/or mental disabilities to meet their vocational, social, and independent living needs, including evaluation, monitoring, testing & training.
• Reliable, honest, avoids unethical behavior, and maintains confidentiality.
• Ability to exercise discretion in handling confidential information.
• Ability to work well with diverse populations in diverse settings that build trust and support increased collaboration.
• Develop constructive and cooperative working relationships with others.
• Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving: Using logic and analysis to identify strengths & weaknesses of different approaches.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of the characteristics & trends of the local labor market.
• Knowledge of various statuses and ensuring appropriate classification in the system of individual’s status and modification as appropriate.
• Knowledge of the types & availability of public & private community-based organizations providing vocational and other support services to consumers.
• Knowledge of the agency rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and guidelines governing assigned responsibilities.
• Knowledge of WIOA requirements including common measures and how they relate to data entry into the case management system
• Knowledge of the Commission’s case management system.

About the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission:

MRC provides services that break down barriers and empower people with disabilities to live life on their own terms. Our programs focus on vocational rehabilitation, community living, and disability determination for federal benefit programs. We are change agents and community builders. And we put the people we serve at the heart of everything we do. We envision a Commonwealth that is open to all, where everyone can seize their true potential and contribute fully to our communities and the world. Together with stakeholders, partners, and allies, MRC collaborates, problem solves, and innovates to bring about a better Massachusetts for everyone—one that is truly equitable, accessible, and inclusive.

The Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC) is a learning and participatory performance culture with an emphasis on high performance teams, individual performance/contribution/impact, and engaging in activities to promote and support a program/division/agency (e.g., committee membership, Roadmap workgroup membership, presenting at Town Halls). In addition, MRC is an agency committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and racial equity, as well as innovation, transformation, and change, and creating a culture of agility, excellence, and belonging.

For more information about our agency and programs visit: www.mass.gov/mrc

Pre-Offer Process:

A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori

Education, licensure, and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines.

Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth’s website.

If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete the Reasonable Accommodation Online Request Form.

For questions, please the contact the Office of Human Resources at 1-800-510-4122 and select option #2.

Applicants should submit a cover letter and resume for the Qualified Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor II requisition.

Minimum Entrance Requirements:
Applicants must have at least (A) Master’s degree or higher in Rehabilitation Counseling from a Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE) accredited university program, or a certification as a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) by the Commission of Rehabilitation Counselor Certification or licensure as a Licensed Rehabilitation Counselor and (B) two (2) years of full-time or equivalent part-time experience in vocational counseling, job placement, career counseling and guidance, assessment and vocational evaluation, job development and services for employers, or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below.
Applicants working with deaf and hard of hearing consumers must be proficient in American Sign Language (ASL) and may be required to demonstrate ASL proficiency through assessment by agency staff.
Based on assignment, travel is required; incumbents who elect to use a motor vehicle for travel must have a current and valid motor vehicle driver’s license at a class level specific to assignment.
Substitutions:
I. A Master’s degree or higher in a related field such a Rehabilitation Administration/Services, Disability Studies, Vocational Assessment/Evaluation, Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Social Work, Human Services, Education, Special Education, Occupational Therapy, Counseling (Mental Health, Education, Psychology), or Substance Abuse Therapy and one (1) year of full-time or equivalent part-time experience in vocational counseling, job placement, career counseling and guidance, assessment and vocational evaluation, job development and services for employers may be substituted for the required (A) education. Relevant internship experience will be considered

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!