11/30/2012 06210

EMPLOYMENT FACILITATOR, OVR

DEFINITION: This is professional employment preparation and outreach work for customers of the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR).

An employee in this job conducts individual and group employment preparation workshops and performs employer outreach activities to fulfill an OVR district placement plan. Work involves coaching customers in a group or individual setting on job skills development and interviewing techniques; presenting employment preparation workshops to customers with predetermined employment goals; coordinating and making recommendations for the procurement of training, assistive devices and other services necessary for customers to secure employment in line with their vocational goals; coaching customers on resume preparation, interviewing strategies, networking exercises, and job search techniques; referring customers to other Commonwealth agencies or community resources for employment development services; and maintaining updated records on each counseled customer. Work also involves contacting employers to develop job opportunities for persons with disabilities on a case-specific basis. Employees work closely with Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors to provide updates on each customer’s employment status and to make recommendations for the procurement of services and devices necessary to assist customers in meeting their vocational goals. Work is distinguished from higher level professional counseling jobs by the lack of authority to determine a customer’s eligibility and level of disability, to develop individualized plans and amendments for employment, to authorize expenditures for diagnostic and plan service costs, and to develop the placement program for a district or for a large or heavily populated geographical area. Work is assigned by an administrative supervisor and is reviewed through conferences and employment placement statistics.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Provides coaching to customers in a group or individual setting on job skills development and interviewing techniques.

Conducts pre-employment workshops to prepare customers for the workforce.

Provides assistance to customers in locating and securing employment by coaching customers on resume preparation, interviewing strategies, networking exercises, and job search techniques.

Refers customers to appropriate training sources to improve job skills.

Instructs customers on the use of computer applications and other automated systems necessary to conduct job searches.

Develops and maintains cooperative relationships with various community training, educational, rehabilitation, and social services agencies to advocate for and gain interest and support in the employment of persons with disabilities.

Contacts employers to solicit orders for job vacancies and records data of relevant jobs obtained.

Enters case information into an electronic database.

Interviews customers to obtain case file information.

Maintains updated records on each counseled customer.

Communicates with Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors to apprise them of customers’ progress towards predetermined vocational goals and objectives.

Makes recommendations to Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors for the procurement of training, assistive devices, and other services necessary for customers to secure employment in line with their predetermined vocational goals.

Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of professional casework principles, practices, and methods.

Knowledge of the theories, methods, and techniques used to analyze and encourage improvement in the psychosocial, economic, and physiological situations of individuals and families.

Knowledge of theories concerning individual and group behavior.

Knowledge of commonly occurring physical and mental disabilities and their social, economic, and psychological implications.

Knowledge of the theories, methods, and techniques used in the analysis and interpretation of human behavior and performance.

Knowledge of social, economic, and health conditions that influence human behavior.

Knowledge of the methods and resources used in the treatment of social, economic, and health conditions.

Ability to read and interpret regulations, policies, and procedures relating to social work services and programs.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

Ability to communicate effectively orally.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: A bachelor's degree that includes 24 credits in the behavioral sciences;

                                                                                                                                                                                                         or

An equivalent combination of experience and training that includes 24 credits in the behavioral sciences.