Within a DSHS region, plans, organizes and manages all regional program functions for one of the vocational rehabilitation programs such as Support Employment or Business Relations and provides technical assistance and training to all professional counselors; or within the Department of Services for the Blind (DSB), serves as the autonomous representative for a designated geographic area.

Positions within DSHS report to the regional administrator or assistant regional administrator. This is a regional staff manager level which creates and implements the development and enhancement of programs, analyzing program service performance, building community resources, program accessibility, consumer participation, and system advocacy. Provides assistance to all professional counselors and performs training to meet regional program goals. Initiates, negotiates, and monitors county and/or regional interagency agreements and contracts. Positions within DSB report to the manager of field services. The incumbents act independently in developing, implementing and enhancing vocational rehabilitation programs, analyzing and monitoring the performance of service providers, developing new community based provider resources, developing relationships with employers, advocating for the employment of people who are blind, and providing direct case management services with a caseload of participants in the vocational rehabilitation program.

Serves on the regional management team as the regional employment consultant;

Provides and consults regional administrator in development, implementing, and evaluating the regional employment plan which includes job placement, public relations as well as marketing to clients, families, employers, social service agencies and community organizations;

Assists regional staff with technical assistance and training in labor exchange activities to achieve employment outcomes;

Provides consultation to the regional administrator/assistant regional administrator in labor exchange and other program linkages, such as community resources, program enhancements, and program accessibility for community and employers through consultation, education, and networking regarding the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation;

Plans, organizes and manages the technical assistance and training for regional counselors, vendors, and/or staff or other participating agencies surrounding ADA/WA State employment law; vocational assessment, on-the-job evaluation; self-employment plans; tax credits; resource centers, etc.;

Reviews employment goals of current regional DVR participants with regional employer needs/labor market trends in determination of targeted employer development activities;

Provides technical assistance to CORE trainers in labor market/employer development training;

Serves small caseload of job-ready participants;

Provides consultation to the regional administrator on the implementation and development of one-stop/career centers;

Performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge of: applicable Federal and State laws relating to vocational rehabilitation; independent living; public education requirements; community resources, private sector employer expectations; blind/deaf and hard of hearing organizations, agencies and resources; appropriate vocational rehabilitation counseling techniques.

Ability to: represent various vocational rehabilitation programs on a regional basis in a professional manner; communicate effectively in written and public presentations; meet formally and informally with a variety of community-based organizations and special interest groups; develop and implement reasonable rehabilitation plans for individuals with severe disabilities; assess regional client service needs and work to develop new regional resources.

There may be instances where individual positions must have additional licenses or certification. It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the appropriate licenses/certifications are obtained for each position.

A Master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling, 

OR

A current Certification as a Rehabilitation Counselor by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification,

OR

A Master’s degree with at least 18 quarter or 12 semester credit hours specified as follows:

1. ONE graduate course with a primary focus on the Theories and Techniques of Counseling, and
2. THREE graduate courses, each with a primary focus on one of the following areas:

            a. Occupational Information

            b. Job Development and Placement

            c. Medical Aspects of Disabilities

            d. Foundations of Rehabilitation

            e. Psychological Aspects of Disabilities

            f. Personal and Vocational Adjustment, and

    3.   TWO graduate courses, each with a primary focus on one of the following areas:

            a. Assessment

            b. Research Methodology

            c. Vocational and Career Development

            d. Community Resources

            e. Case Management

            f. Delivery of Rehabilitation Services,

 AND

Three years of paid experience as a vocational rehabilitation counselor or similar paid experience in vocational counseling, job placement, vocational assessment, or other areas of rehabilitation counseling; 

OR

Three years experience as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor with the state of Washington.

New class: 1-11-91
General revision: 9-11-97
Revised minimum qualifications: 11-19-99
Revised minimum qualifications: 1-14-2000
Revised minimum qualifications: 11-9-2001
Revised definition, and distinguishing characteristics: 5-30-02
New class code: (formerly 37110) effective July 1, 2007