Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor 1/2/3 (PCN 05-2104)

JOB
This recruitment is exempt from the Hiring Freeze (Administrative Order 358).ATTENTION ALASKA RESIDENTS!The Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, is recruiting for aVocational Rehabilitation Counselor 1/2/3! No Cover Letter Required!This position is in the General Government Unit (GGU) at a Range 16/18/20.This position is located in Juneau. However, this position may be relocated within Alaska with necessary approvals where infrastructure allows.What You Will Be Doing: As a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor 1/2/3, you will provide vocational rehabilitation counseling to consumers with disabilities by assisting them in obtaining and maintaining competitive, integrated employment. You will do this by actively working with employers to develop relationships to provide those employment opportunities for consumers of the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR).Our Mission, Values, and Culture: The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) helps hundreds of Alaskans with disabilities prepare for, get and keep good jobs. You will be working with a dedicated team of professionals who have a sincere commitment to assisting individuals with disabilities obtain employment.DVR is committed to the principle that employment equals empowerment for Alaskans with disabilities.Benefits of Joining Our Team: This position is a member of a team of professionals and paraprofessionals who help meet the mission of the DVR. The work you do will help individuals with disabilities become more self-sufficient and also help stimulate the Southeast economy.DVR employees have specialized education and certifications unique to their jobs, resulting in longevity of staff. This position is essential within the Division and progression through the counseling series is expected. As such, obtaining and/or maintaining a Certification in Rehabilitation Counseling (CRC) is required and supported by the Division.The Working Environment You Can Expect: This position is located in the Juneau Branch Office with approximately ten to twelve employees at any given time; consumers are served directly out of this office. The Juneau Branch Office operates during regular business hours (8am – 5pm), with flexibility within those hours and the ability for telework at times - you will have a significant amount of autonomy in scheduling your day and managing your workflow.Who We Are Looking For: We are interested in candidates who possess some or all of the following position specific competencies: Psychology: Knowledge of the concepts, principles, and theories of human behavior and performance in various contexts, mental processes, or the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.Customer Service: Works with clients and customers (that is, any individuals who use or receive the services or products that your work unit produces, including the general public, individuals who work in the agency, other agencies, or organizations outside State government) to assess their needs, provide information or assistance, resolve their problems, or satisfy their expectations; knows about available products and services; is committed to providing quality products and services.Interpersonal Skills: Shows understanding, friendliness, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness to others; develops and maintains effective relationships with others; may include effectively dealing with individuals who are difficult, hostile, or distressed; relates well to people from varied backgrounds and different situations; is sensitive to cultural diversity, race, gender, disabilities, and other individual differences.Oral Communication: Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.Teamwork: Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity; fosters commitment and team spirit; works with others to achieve goals.If this sounds like your skill set, please submit your complete application through Workplace Alaska!To view the general description and example of duties for the position, please go to the following link: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/Alaska/classspecs

EXAMPLE OF DUTIES
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Level 1:A bachelor’s degree from an accredited collegeAND Any combination of education, training, and/or experience that provides the applicant with competencies in: Analytical Thinking/Problem Solving: Uses a logical, systematic, sequential approach to address problems or opportunities or manage a situation by drawing on one’s knowledge and experience base and calling on other references and resources as necessary. Oral and Written Communication: Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral and written presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.Continual Learning: Assesses and recognizes own strengths and weaknesses; pursues self-development.Interpersonal Skills: Shows understanding, friendliness, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness to others; develops and maintains effective relationships with others; may include effectively dealing with individuals who are difficult, hostile, or distressed; relates well to people from varied backgrounds and different situations; is sensitive to cultural diversity, race, gender, disabilities, and other individual differences.Social Services: Knowledge of the concepts, principles, theories, practices, and current trends in social services used in the planning, design, implementation, and/or evaluation of programs that provide a broad range of social supports to individuals, families, and communities. Equivalent to those typically gained by: Any combination of post-secondary education and/or progressively responsible experience providing direct social assistance services to individuals with disabilities, guidance counseling, pre-employment services, job placement services, social work, mental or behavioral health services, or related field.Special Note: “Competencies” means a combination of interrelated knowledge, skills, abilities, and behaviors that enable a person to act effectively in a job or situation.“Typically gained by” means the prevalent, usual method of gaining the competencies expected for entry into the job.“Training” and “education” in this guidance are synonyms for the process of acquiring knowledge and skills through instruction. It includes instruction through formal and informal methods (such as classroom, on-line, self-study, and on-the-job), from accredited and unaccredited sources, and long-duration (such as a post-secondary degree) and short-duration (such as a seminar) programs.Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Level 2:A master’s degree from an accredited college in vocational rehabilitation, counseling psychology, social work, guidance counseling, special education, or a related discipline as defined by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC).Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Level 3:A Certification in Rehabilitation Counseling (CRC) from the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
James SwansonSoutheast Regional ManagerPhone: 907-465-8935jim.swanson@alaska.gov