07/12/1996 44839

VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION SPECIALIST

DEFINITION: This is specialized professional staff work in the state vocational rehabilitation program.

An employee in this class has responsibility for statewide planning, developing, and implementing phases of special vocational rehabilitation programs designed to improve services to disabled persons through innovative methods, educational programs, and new or refined counseling techniques. Duties include providing advisory and consultative services to governmental agencies and to public and private rehabilitation center and facility administrators on state, regional, or local levels. An employee in this class can also manage a district office's special program development and administrative support functions. Work is performed under the general supervision of a Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist Supervisor and is reviewed through reports, conferences, and an evaluation of program effectiveness.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Develops and promotes phases of special statewide vocational rehabilitation programs, such as services available to specialized disability groups, organizations, or facilities.

Develops working relationships and provides consultant services to rehabilitation groups, facilities, service providers, or agencies.

Participates in in-service training of professional staff assigned to specialized areas.

Formulates standards and criteria for rehabilitation facilities.

Conducts program reviews and special studies; recommending extension or revision of services.

Assists medical staffs in the development of specialized clinics.

Interprets policies, procedures, and regulations to agencies or employers outlining rehabilitation services available to persons with disabilities.

Familiarizes recruitment personnel in private and government agencies with the employment potential of rehabilitated persons.

Recommends academic and vocational programs based on contacts with employers and a determination of labor market needs.

Provides expertise and technical assistance to district office(s) in developing and implementing programs to meet the vocational rehabilitation needs of persons with disabilities.

Evaluates the effectiveness and efficiency of vocational rehabilitation service delivery and compliance with state and federal law and regulations.

Manages a district office's administrative areas; e.g., personnel, budgets, fiscal operations, purchasing, leases and buildings, management information systems, and/or training/staff orientation.

Presents scope of OVR program, orally and/or in writing, to community groups and organizations.

Employees in this class may participate in the performance of their subordinates work consistent with operational or organizational requirements.

Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of the principles and practices of vocational rehabilitation.

Knowledge of individual and group behavior, with special emphasis on the problems and attitudes of persons with physical and mental disabilities.

Knowledge of the objectives of the vocational rehabilitation program.

Knowledge of the current social, economic, and health problems with special emphasis on factors related to vocational rehabilitation.

Knowledge of physical and mental illnesses, with special emphasis on their social implications and their effect on the individuals concerned.

Knowledge of the principles and practices of counseling and guidance as related to vocational rehabilitation.

Knowledge of job placement techniques and employment trends.

Knowledge of special disability areas in vocational .rehabilitation, such as psychiatric, deaf, mental retardation, addiction, and related disabilities.

Knowledge of special program areas in vocational rehabilitation, such as placement, schools, private insurance, workmen's compensation, public assistance, rehabilitation engineering, supported employment, facility and job community based rehabilitation programming.

Knowledge of the required skills, abilities, and physical demands of various occupations.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with individuals and agencies in and out of state government.

Ability to express ideas effectively, orally and in writing.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: Three years of professional experience in rehabilitation work, vocational guidance, employment counseling or placement, psychology, or social work, two years of which must have been in the field of vocational rehabilitation; and a bachelor's degree;

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Any equivalent combination of experience and training. Graduate study in the behavioral sciences may be substituted for the required general experience on a year-for-year basis up to a maximum of one year.