Vocational/Independent Living Rehabilitation

Description

Jobs in this family perform support services that maximize the independence and/or employability for persons with personal, social, and vocational challenges as a result of physical, emotional, or mental impairment.

Typical functions

The functions within this job family will vary by level, but may include the following:

  • Oversee the work of clients in sheltered workshops or state facilities.
  • Participate in assessments of clients’ needs for employment and vocational training, assistance in adaptation and daily living skills, and/or associated guidance and counseling services, in line with their interests and abilities.
  • Facilitate, develop, and/or adapt daily activity plans.
  • Participate in training clients in vocational, independent living, and/or work/social skills.
  • Prepare clients for and facilitate placement into suitable employment, training, or activity opportunities.

 Positions allocated to this series may perform the duties described, or specialize in areas specific to certain physical, emotional, or mental impairments. The work assigned to positions in this series ranges from providing direct services to clients to directing day-to-day rehabilitation activities.

Rehabilitation Associate

Vocational position which may be accountable for day-to-day activities and operations in sheltered workshops or state facilities (e.g. assembling component parts to form a product, packaging prefabricated products, reclamation of damaged or swap products, or performing services, etc.). Accountable for overseeing production processes, meeting production schedule requirements, and/or supervising other work performed.

Knowledge, skills & abilities

Knowledge of the nature of developmental, emotional, and/or physical disabilities and the rehabilitation needs of those affected. Knowledge of the principles of job analysis and work simplification as applied to those with vocational rehabilitation needs. Knowledge of production work processes and equipment used in the fabrication, assembly, and/or packaging of small articles. Knowledge of standard and adaptive office equipment.  Ability to gain the confidence and cooperation of clients. Ability to train and motivate clients, staff, and workers.

Typical qualifications

High School diploma or equivalent and 1-3 years of related experience. (Substitutions may be allowed.)

Pay grade
G4

Rehabilitation Specialist

First-level professional position accountable for conducting assessments of clients’ needs for employment and vocational training, and/or providing assistance in adaptation and daily living skills, and/or associated guidance and counseling services. Work includes related interviews to gather information, evaluating information and developing and adapting daily activity plans, and/or securing and placing clients in suitable employment, training, or activity opportunities. Duties may also include planning and implementing vocational training and teaching skills to clients (e.g. woodworking, grounds keeping, bench work assembly, recycling, janitorial duties, etc.); training staff in how to instruct areas of work social skills (e.g., attendance, punctuality, safety, rules, procedures, and following instructions); or providing assistance in developing self-help, communication, mobility, and daily living skills, and/or providing guidance to individuals to address adjustment problems.

Knowledge, skills & abilities

In addition to those identified in the previous level: Knowledge of vocational rehabilitation counseling methods and techniques. Knowledge of occupations, employment trends, job opportunities and requirements, and community resources available for job placement. Knowledge of the impact of various medical conditions and disabilities upon an individual's ability to function independently and succeed vocationally. Ability to analyze, evaluate, and understand the physical, emotional, and social implications of developmental, emotional, and/or physical disabilities. Ability to understand and interpret federal and state legislation pertaining to vocational rehabilitation.

Typical qualifications

Bachelor’s degree and 0-2 years of relevant experience. (Substitutions may be allowed.)

Pay grade
G6

Senior Rehabilitation Specialist

Second-level professional position accountable for performing case management activities to include interviewing, counseling, assessing, evaluating, writing rehabilitation plans, teaching, and/or placing clients in suitable employment. Employees may represent the agency and persons with disabilities to the community, public and private agencies; and/or serve as a resource in the community for creating employment opportunities for persons with disabilities. Duties may also involve helping clients adjust to physical impairments and integrate socially by providing mobility, orientation, and travel training, and identifying available resources.

Knowledge, skills & abilities

In addition to those identified in the previous levels: Knowledge of persons with disabilities, and their physical, social, and emotional limitations and challenges. Ability to train staff in the instruction of clients in job seeking skills, provide information regarding disabilities as they relate to employment, and/or instruct clients on use of adaptive technology.

Typical qualifications

Master’s degree or a Bachelor’s degree and 2-4 years of relevant experience. (Substitutions may be allowed.)

Pay grade
G8

Rehabilitation Coordinator

Employees at this level direct day-to-day rehabilitation activities, including supervision of professional and vocational staff (recruitment, selection, hire recommendations, training, planning and assigning work, performance assessment, coaching, and progressive discipline) and allocation of funds. At this level, employees interpret applicable state and federal laws and regulations that guide program policies and procedures.

Knowledge, skills & abilities

In addition to those identified in the previous levels: Ability to plan, coordinate, supervise, and evaluate the work of professional and vocational staff. Ability to develop, coordinate, and evaluate services within assigned programs.

Typical qualifications

Master’s degree and three years of relevant experience. (Substitutions may be allowed.)

Pay grade
G10