ABOLISHED 04/16/2015 PER PAY LETTER 15-13 - Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (Blind)
California State Personnel Board Specification
Definition
Under direction, to determine eligibility for services and to counsel with and plan, arrange for, and supervise the vocational rehabilitation of blind persons; and to do other related work.
Typical Tasks
Interviews and investigates blind applicants to determine their eligibility for service, the extent and nature of their handicap, and their need for and the feasibility of their undertaking rehabilitation services; collects, analyzes, and interprets medical, psychological, educational, social, and employment information regarding blind applicants and makes a vocational diagnosis; counsels and assists blind applicants with their personal adjustment throughout the rehabilitation program; prescribes and interprets standardized tests for use in vocational guidance; arranges for medical treatment including surgery, psychiatric care, occupational and physical therapy, prosthetic appliances, and other auxiliary services; consults with psychiatrists and physicians regarding findings of their examination; plans and arranges for courses of study and training and supervises applicants' training program; works with employers to develop employment opportunities and places blind applicants; plans and arranges for sheltered employment and home industry activities for the severely disabled; counsels and directs blind applicants in the establishment of small business enterprises and supervises the selection and financing of business equipment; determines need for financial assistance and provides necessary maintenance and transportation allowances; as requested, serves as consultant to representatives of public and private agencies in relation to the vocational problems of blind applicants; promotes and coordinates the assistance and services of other agencies and organizations needed in the rehabilitation processes; keeps appropriate case records and controls case service expenditures; as required, has charge of a branch office or directs a rehabilitation program in a large institution or agency.
Minimum Qualifications
Either I
One year of experience performing the duties of a Vocational Rehabilitation Trainee in the Department of Rehabilitation in the California State service. (Candidates who are within six months of completing the required experience will be admitted to the examination, but they will not be appointed until they have completed the above requirements.)
Or II
Completion of an approved graduate curriculum leading to a Master of Arts degree in Rehabilitation Counseling.
Or III
Experience: Two years of counseling experience with primary responsibility for the evaluation and adjustment of the problems of adults. This must have included substantial vocational counseling in a variety of occupational fields. (Experience either in the determination of eligibility for financial assistance, or in an employment agency placing persons without employment handicaps, is not considered qualifying experience.) (Graduate work in psychology, counseling and guidance, or in a closely related field may be substituted for not more than one year of the required experience on the basis of one year of education for six months of experience.) and
Education: Equivalent to graduation from college. (Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for two years of the required education on a year-for-year basis.) (Candidates who are enrolled in the final academic year necessary to complete the education required under II or III will be admitted to the examination, but they will not be appointed until they have completed their education.)
Knowledge and Abilities
Knowledge of: Principles and practices of counseling, vocational guidance, and occupational placement; vocational opportunities suitable for adults with physical or mental disabilities, and availability and use of rehabilitation facilities; sources and use of medical and psychiatric care services and prosthetic appliances; social and psychological problems of disabled persons; standardized tests used in vocational guidance; basic medical and psychiatric conditions in relation to the rehabilitation process; laws affecting the Department of Rehabilitation; business principles applicable to the establishment and conduct of small business enterprises.
Skill in: Planning and directing rehabilitation services suited to individuals.
Ability to: Apply the principles and practices of counseling, vocational guidance, and occupational placement; interpret test results; speak and write effectively; secure and record data accurately and systematically; analyze situations accurately and take effective action.
Special Personal Characteristics
Willingness and ability to make frequent field visits away from established headquarters; demonstrated interest in and capacity for assuming increasing responsibility in vocational planning with adults; emotional stability; tact; neat personal appearance; pleasing personality. (Blindness is not considered a disabling defect for this class.)
