Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor II
State of Nebraska

Omaha, Nebraska

Posted in Public Sector and Government


This job has expired.

Job Info


Description
The Nebraska Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired works to help blind and visually impaired Nebraskans achieve full and rewarding lives through independent living skills and assisting with finding employment in Nebraska and across the country.

As a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor II, under general supervision, you will perform routine counseling and guidance relevant to an individual's overall adjustment to blindness. In this position, you will provide job placement in the rehabilitation of blind/visually impaired individuals. Tasks performed vary greatly and are based on the needs of the individual client, families or guardians or consulting agency. Successful candidates for employment must be able to satisfactorily pass an extensive criminal background check. All new hires will complete 600 hours of immersion training in Lincoln, at NCBVI expense, at the Nebraska Center for the Blind to learn the alternative skills of blindness (cane travel, Braille, assistive technology, activities of daily living, etc.); those completing the training will obtain their CVRCB certification. Work is performed under the direct supervision of a district or unit supervisor. Field assignments and travel are involved in varying degrees. All applicants must submit a cover letter and resume.

We offer an excellent total compensation package including: 13 paid holidays; vacation and sick leave; State-matched retirement plan; health, dental, vision, and life insurance options! Treating others with dignity & respect - ethically sound - customer always the priority. Sound like you? This might be your perfect fit!

Omaha State Office Building, 1313 Farnam St, Suite 316, Omaha, NE

Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Work schedule may vary to include some evenings and weekends.
Examples of Work
-Describe the availability of services to new referrals and gathers information as needed to complete applications for services. Refers blind consumers to services offered by other agencies or organizations as appropriate.
-Determine eligibility for services based on the applicant's unique strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests, and informed choice. Gathers medical information as needed for documentation of blindness or visual impairment.
-Evaluate the present level of skills possessed by clients to identify attainable goals and areas of needed improvement to adjust to blindness.
-Develop an individualized plan in conjunction with consumers designed to empower blind individuals to maximize employment, economic self sufficiency, independence, and full participation in society. Develop an individualized plan for independent living in conjunction with consumers with independent living rather than vocational goals designed to maximize their ability to participate fully in their home communities.
-Counsel clients in their overall adjustment to blindness with particular emphasis on achieving a positive understanding of blindness based on the belief that blind people are capable of full participation in society using the alternative skills of blindness. Promotes opportunities for blind consumers to network with and learn from positive blind role models. -Prepare and Coordinate instructional programs in training of the alternative skills of blindness in the field or at the Training Center for the Blind, which may include computer use (email, internet, social media, screen readers or low vision applications), cooking and other homemaking skills, Braille and cane travel. Coordinate other services as needed in preparation for achievement of independent living or service goals.
- Provide career exploration, job readiness training, and job placement services -Prepare periodic reports to evaluate the clients' progress toward successful rehabilitation and to monitor the overall effectiveness of programs provided.
-Build trusting relationship with employers and businesses in the community and help develop after-school work experiences for blind/visually impaired students.
-Assist with special programs designed to provide concentrated training and socialization opportunities for blind consumers in a small group setting to empower NCBVI's clients to obtain their goals.
-Provide follow-up services for clients in all aspects of adjustment to blindness including working with family members.
-Monitor progress towards the achievement of personal goals specified in individual service plans and maintain documentation of all activities and services provided in case service records in compliance with federal and state regulations.
-Collaborate with public and private schools, institutions of higher education, health care providers, human service agencies, consumer groups and organizations, and other relevant community resources on behalf of blind consumers.
-Conduct presentations for the general public and interested groups designed to promote greater awareness and understanding of blindness and the capabilities of blind people.
-Participate in in-service training conferences, workshops, courses, and meetings related to rehabilitation of the blind.
-Builds relationships with public schools to work with transition-age blind/visually impaired students , their parents/guardians, and their teachers.
-Help develop after school work experience for blind/visually impaired students. -Builds relationships with businesses and employers in the community.
-Empower NCBVI's clients to obtain their vocational goals.
- Performs other work and/or duties as assigned.
Qualifications / Requirements

REQUIREMENTS: Bachelor's degree in social science, behavioral science, social work, counseling/guidance, vocational rehabilitation, psychology, sociology, human development, education or related area and two years' experience; OR Master's degree in any of the above mentioned fields or related area and one year of experience. Maintaining of the CVRCB Certification, once acquired on the job.

OTHER: Regular and reliable attendance is required. This position requires travel. As such, the incumbent must be able to present a valid driver's license or another form of reliable transportation.

SPECIAL NOTE: Successful candidates for employment must be able to satisfactorily pass an extensive criminal background check. All new hires will complete 600 hours of immersion training in Lincoln, at NCBVI expense, at the Nebraska Center for the Blind to learn the alternative skills of blindness (cane travel, Braille, assistive technology, activities of daily living, etc.); those completing the training will be certified as Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors for the blind. Work is performed under the direct supervision of a district or unit supervisor. Field assignments and travel are involved in varying degrees.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
-Knowledge of teaching and the understanding of the agency's philosophy of working with the blind, various educational modalities as they pertain to the rehabilitation of blind individuals (i.e., Braille, cane travel, assistive technology, etc.)
-Understanding of problems arising from blindness, counseling techniques used in the rehabilitation of the blind and ability to apply techniques in proper situations.
-Skill in evaluating each client's needs and the subsequent preparation and implementation of instructional programs to answer these needs.
-Ability to lead and mentor others in the completion of work, organize and coordinate various ongoing instructional programs, effectively evaluate the results of instructional programs, and revise such programs as warranted; apply specific counseling techniques according to the situation; and establish a strong working rapport with clients, general public, and other service agencies.
-Computer skills are required.


This job has expired.

More Public Sector and Government jobs


State of Nebraska
Elkhorn, Nebraska
Posted about 11 hours ago

State of Nebraska
Omaha, Nebraska
Posted about 11 hours ago

State of Nebraska
Lexington, Nebraska
Posted about 11 hours ago

Get Hired Faster

Subscribe to job alerts and upload your resume!

*By registering with our site, you agree to our
Terms and Privacy Policy.