Rehabilitation Engineering Consultant Series
California State Personnel Board Specification
Series established February 17, 1982
Scope
This series specification describes three classes which perform rehabilitation engineering work in the Department of Rehabilitation.
Definition of Series
Rehabilitation engineering consultants perform engineering duties related to improving the functional mobility of persons with physical disabilities. Incumbents work directly with disabled persons to assess their needs; design assistive devices to meet client needs in such areas as wheelchairs; wheelchair lifts; modified cars and vans; electronic communication technology, and architectural barrier removal. Incumbents also evaluate available technology, disseminate information, and provide consultation to other programs within the Department of Rehabilitation, other governmental agencies, and the private sector.
Factors Affecting Position Allocation
The scope and level of responsibilities assigned; complexity of work; independence of action; and degree of technical knowledge of rehabilitation engineering.
Definition of Levels
Assistant Rehabilitation Engineering Consultant
This is the entry and first professional level. Under supervision, incumbents learn rehabilitation engineering methods and techniques; conduct rehabilitation evaluations of average difficulty; design assistive devices where commercial equipment in unavailable or inadequate; and provide general information to rehabilitation counselors on the application of technology to reduce functional limitations of disabled clients.
Associate Rehabilitation Engineering Consultant
This is the full professional journey level. Under direction, incumbents perform difficult rehabilitation evaluations; design, draft and fabricate assistive devices where commercial equipment is not appropriate; conduct seminars and workshops on the application of available rehabilitation technology; consult with rehabilitation equipment manufacturers on the design and development of new devices; participate on advisory boards in the evaluation of rehabilitation technology; act as a technical consultant to the Department of Rehabilitation and other agencies on the reasonable accommodation of handicapped employees; and may have lead responsibility for subordinate engineers.
Senior Rehabilitation Engineering Consultant
Under general direction, performs as the department's technical expert on all rehabilitation engineering matters; supervises rehabilitation engineering consultants in the design, drafting and fabrication of adaptive equipment and assistive devices; conducts the most complex analysis involving high cost solutions or the development of statewide standards; represents the department on interagency coordinating bodies composed of State and local agencies, private foundations, and manufacturers of assistive devices; and develops plans to coordinate and integrate departmental services with those provided by rehabilitation centers, hospitals and private vendors.
Minimum Qualifications
All Levels:
Education: Equivalent to graduation from college with a degree in engineering. (Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for one year of the required education on a year-for-year basis.)
Assistant Rehabilitation Engineering Consultant
Either I
One year of experience in the California state service performing professional engineering duties equivalent in level of responsibility to those of a junior level engineer.
Or II
One year of rehabilitation engineering experience which shall have included assessing the functional needs of the physically disabled and in designing assistive devices to meet those needs, or two years of professional engineering experience in any specialty. (Experience in the California state service applied toward this requirement must have included one year equivalent in level of responsibility to that of a junior level engineer.) (A master's degree in a professional engineering curriculum may be substituted for the required experience. Applicants who are enrolled in a full-time master's degree program and who have completed the equivalent of at least one quarter of such a program will be admitted to the examination, but must produce evidence of receipt of the degree before they will be considered eligible for appointment.)
Associate Rehabilitation Engineering Consultant
Either I
Two years of experience in the California state service performing the duties of an Assistant Rehabilitation Engineering Consultant.
Or II
Three years of rehabilitation engineering experience which shall have included assessing the functional needs of the physically disabled and in designing assistive devices to meet those needs. (Experience in the California state service applied toward this requirement must have included two years equivalent in level of responsibility to that of an Assistant Rehabilitation Engineering Consultant.) (A master's degree in a professional engineering curriculum may be substituted for two years of the required experience.)
Senior Rehabilitation Engineering Consultant
Either I
Two years of experience in the California state service performing the duties of an Associate Rehabilitation Engineering Consultant.
Or II
Five years of rehabilitation engineering experience which shall have included assessing the functional needs of the physically disabled and in designing assistive devices to meet those needs. (Experience in the California state service applied toward this requirement must have included two years equivalent in level of responsibility to that of an Associate Rehabilitation Engineering Consultant.) (A master's degree in a professional engineering curriculum may be substituted for two years of the required experience.)
Knowledge and Abilities
Assistant Rehabilitation Engineering Consultant
Knowledge of: General engineering principles, methods, and terminology; engineering mathematics and computer application to engineering problem solving.
Ability to: Make engineering computations; make neat and accurate drawings and technical sketches; analyze engineering data; work effectively with disabled clients; interpret and apply State and Federal laws and rules; work effectively with government and private interests to achieve specific goals and objectives; speak before large groups; analyze situations accurately and take effective action; dictate correspondence and prepare reports.
Associate Rehabilitation Engineering Consultant
Knowledge of: All of the above and specification writing; estimating and material listing; medical disabilities and their interrelation with assistive, orthotic, and prosthetic devices; rehabilitation adaptive equipment and assistive devices, physiology, anatomy and psychology; current therapies in treatment of major disabling diseases, birth defects, and injuries; medical terminology and practices; hospital clinic and wardroom operations; the Department of Rehabilitation case management system; the counselor intake referral system; State and Federal laws, policies and regulations governing the reasonable accommodation of the disabled.
Ability to: All of the above, and conduct rehabilitation engineering evaluations; apply current engineering technology in the design, fabrication or modification of assistive devices and equipment; work independently without close technical supervision.
Senior Rehabilitation Engineering Consultant
Knowledge of: All of the above and computer technology, environmental controls, and modifications for vans and automobiles; modern electrical equipment; apparatus and power distribution; complicated control systems; principles of program management and effective supervision; the Department's Affirmative Action Program objectives; a manager's role in Affirmative Action Programs and the process available to meet affirmative action objectives.
Ability to: All of the above, and plan, organize and direct the work of others; develop rehabilitation engineering policy recommendations; consult on complex and sensitive engineering problems with labor, management and public groups; develop and implement safety standards and/or specifications for rehabilitation equipment; effectively contribute to the department's affirmative action objectives.
Class History
