Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Office of Special Disability Programs DRS-COUNSELOR II. Bargaining Unit: N/A

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1 DRS-COUNSELOR II Class Code: 0786 Bargaining Unit: N/A STATE OF MISSISSIPPI Revision Date: Jul 1, 2007 Starting Pay is $29, Annually CHARACTERISTICS OF WORK: This is professional work which involves evaluating the vocational potential of clients, utilizing all available diagnostic and related services incidental to the determination of eligibility for, and nature and scope of services to be provided under the Vocational Act. Incumbent jointly develops an individualized written rehabilitation program with the client; arranges, coordinates, and supervises the services necessary to reach a vocational goal; provides job placement services to eligible, qualified job ready individuals; establishes relationships with medical personnel; and performs all duties of a Counselor I. Incumbents may also make home visits. Duties also include organizing and coordinating community resources to ensure quality rehabilitation services to disabled individuals. EXAMPLES OF WORK: Examples of work performed in this classification include, but are not limited to, the following: Develops and maintains an appropriate case-finding procedure. Maintains a continuous program of public relations in assigned area, including the interpretation and provision of rehabilitation information to the public. Assumes responsibility for determination of client eligibility for rehabilitation services and for placement of clients into suitable employment under supervision of a District Manager. Locates and utilizes all available resources as needed in each client's rehabilitation program. Assumes responsibility for job analysis in local industries (particularly entry jobs for disabled clients), and for assisting industry in modifying job situations to fit a particular client's disability. Manages, under supervision, fiscal allocations provided by agency for use in the provision of vocational rehabilitation services. Develops with each client a total program of individualized plans and/or services and manages program until completed or otherwise terminated. Develops and maintains a close working relationship with the medical profession and other allied groups. Ensures the expedition of services to clients through proper caseload management. DRS-COUNSELOR II JOB DESCRIPTION Page 1

2 Supervises and monitors personal care attendant services. Coordinates services and resource identification for clients' specific needs. Develops individualized plans for client services. Performs related or similar duties as required or assigned. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: These minimum qualifications have been agreed upon by Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) in this job class and are based upon a job analysis and the essential functions. However, if a candidate believes he/she is qualified for the job although he/she does not have the minimum qualifications set forth below, he/she may request special consideration through substitution of related education and experience, demonstrating the ability to perform the essential functions of the position. Any request to substitute related education or experience for minimum qualifications must be addressed to the Mississippi State Personnel Board in writing, identifying the related education and experience which demonstrates the candidate's ability to perform all essential functions of the position. EXPERIENCE/EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS: Education: A Master's Degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Rehabilitation Counseling or a related field. OR Education: A Bachelor's Degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Rehabilitation Counseling or a related field; AND Experience: One (1) year of experience related to the described duties. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Additional essential functions may be identified and included by the hiring agency. The essential functions include, but are not limited to, the following: 1. Collects client information to determine eligibility for services. 2. Performs case management activities including developing and monitoring individualized programs, counseling clients, and providing documentation on all related activities. 3. Maintains communications with federal, state, and community agencies; clients; employers; and other individuals within the community. DRS-COUNSELOR II JOB DESCRIPTION Page 2

3 PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: These physical requirements are not exhaustive, and additional job related physical requirements may be added to these by individual agencies on an as needed basis. Corrective devices may be used to meet physical requirements. These are typical requirements; however, reasonable accommodations may be possible. Light Work: May frequently walk or stand and/or frequently exert force equivalent to lifting up to approximately 10 pounds and/or occasionally exert force equivalent to lifting up to approximately 20 pounds. Vision: Requires the ability to perceive the nature of objects by the eye. Near Acuity: Clarity of vision at 20 inches or less. Midrange: Clarity of vision at distances of more than 20 inches and less than 20 feet. Far Acuity: Clarity of vision at 20 feet or more. Peripheral: Ability to observe an area that can be seen up and down or left and right while eyes are fixed on a given point. Depth Perception: Three-dimensional vision. Ability to judge distances and spatial relationships so as to see objects where and as they actually are. Ability to adjust focus: Ability to adjust the eye to bring an object into sharp focus. Speaking/Hearing: Possesses the ability to give and receive information through speaking and listening skills. Motor Coordination: While performing the duties of this job, the incumbent is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The incumbent is frequently required to stand; and walk. The incumbent is occasionally required to climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or bend. INTERVIEW REQUIREMENTS: Any candidate who is called to an agency for an interview must notify the interviewing agency in writing of any reasonable accommodation needed prior to the date of the interview. Interested applicants should call Mr. Clint Welborn at (601) or him at cwelborn@mdrs.ms.gov to schedule an interview. Resumes can be faxed to (601) COMPETENCIES: The following competencies describe the knowledge, skills, abilities, and attributes that lead to a successful employee in this position. An applicant will be expected to exhibit these competencies or the ability to reach competency achievement within a specified time. These competencies are linked to the essential functions of the job. Employees in this position may be evaluated on these competencies as part of the performance appraisal system. Example behaviors are listed below each competency and are used for illustrative purposes only. Specific behaviors may be identified and included later by the hiring agency. It is understood that some of these behaviors might not be acquired until a reasonable time after hire. Failure of an employee to successfully demonstrate some or all of these competencies, as deemed important by his or her reporting official, may result in the employee being placed on a performance DRS-COUNSELOR II JOB DESCRIPTION Page 3

4 improvement plan. If after a reasonable period of time, usually three (3) months, the employee fails to demonstrate successful performance, the employee may be terminated. These competencies include, but are not limited to, the following: PUBLIC SECTOR COMPETENCIES: Integrity: Exhibits behaviors showing a strong internal personal commitment to fundamental principles of honesty and fairness dealing in all activities related to job performance. Work Ethic: Is productive, diligent, conscientious, timely, and loyal. Service Orientation: Demonstrates a commitment to quality public service through statements and actions. Accountability: Accepts responsibility for actions and results. Self-Management Skills: Effectively manages emotions and impulses and maintains a positive attitude. Interpersonal Skills: Shows understanding, courtesy, tact, empathy, and concern to develop and maintain relationships. Communication Skills: Receives, attends to, interprets, and responds to verbal messages and expresses information to individuals or groups effectively. Self-Development: Adapts behavior or work methods in response to new information, changing conditions, or unexpected obstacles. TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES: Technical Proficiency: Reads, comprehends, evaluates, interprets and implements federal and state laws, policies, mandates, and regulations relating to rehabilitation counseling. Recognizes the difference between disability and functional limitations. Reads and has a basic understanding of medical aspects and implications of major disabilities. Understands the cultural reactions to disabilities in families and in society at large. Demonstrates an awareness of the attitudinal barriers experienced by persons with disabilities. Recognizes the need for continued professional and technical development. Effectively participates in training and continuing education. Effectively utilizes and demonstrates proficiency in agency-wide technical software needed to perform specific duties. Analytical/Innovative Thinking: Analyzes complex problems to find best resolution by discovering or selecting rules, principles, or relationships between facts and other information and making correct comparisons or accurate conclusions. Demonstrates an ability to integrate, interpret, and evaluate medical, educational, social, psychological, and vocational information about clients in order to determine rehabilitation counseling. Modifies rehabilitation plans as required. Sees key issues and actions in complex situations. Analyzes the effects of decisions on stakeholders. Adapts well to change. Plans effectively to achieve goals. Organizational Awareness/Commitment: Represents and supports the agency positively. Knows the organization's mission and functions. Knows how social, political, organizational, and technological systems work and operates effectively within them. This includes policies, procedures, rules, and regulations of the work unit and the agency. Aligns self with MDRS mission and function. DRS-COUNSELOR II JOB DESCRIPTION Page 4

5 Understands and awareness of the impact of organizational goals and objectives in its service provision. Strives to make a difference with rehabilitation services. Interpersonal Relations/Development: Demonstrates a commitment to client participation and understanding of rehabilitation services. Counsels with clients to discover underlying needs. Assists clients in understanding and achieving goals. Develops and implements strategy for outreach. Develops rapport with client. Initiates, encourages, and facilitates partnerships with organizations to achieve goals. Deals effectively with high stress situations. BENEFITS: Health/Prescription Insurance Eligible employees have the opportunity to participate in the state s health and prescription insurance program. Employees may select either single or family coverage with affordable co-payments. More detail can be found at Know Your Benefits. Wellness Benefits Employees are eligible for a wellness and health promotion program. This plan provides annual benefits for certain services with first-dollar coverage with no deductible. Life Insurance All eligible employees receive an actual term life insurance policy upon employment. The policy coverage is two times the employee s annual salary to a maximum of $100,000. More detail can be found at Life Insurance Choices. Optional Insurances Many agencies offer discounted premiums for dental, vision, and cancer insurance. Flexible Spending Accounts Many state agencies provide opportunity for employees to participate in pre-tax spending accounts. These accounts allow employees to withhold childcare expenses and unreimbursed medical expenses prior to application of state and federal taxes. Paid Personal Leave and Sick Leave Full-time employees receive paid time off for personal needs and for sick leave. Leave begins accruing after one month of employment and may be used as it is accrued. Employees earn approximately 18 days of personal leave annually and 12 days of sick leave annually. DRS-COUNSELOR II JOB DESCRIPTION Page 5

6 Military Leave In accordance with federal law, all employees serving in the armed forces or the military reserves are entitled to 15 days per year for military training. Holidays Employees receive up to 10 paid holidays to enjoy many of our nation s celebrations with family and friends. Retirement Programs The State of Mississippi provides all its employees a Defined Benefit/Defined Contribution Retirement Program. Employees become vested in the State s retirement system after 8 years of employment. Both you and your employing agency contribute toward your retirement. More detailed information regarding the State s retirement program can be found at Deferred Compensation State agencies offer several opportunities for their employees to participate in a deferred compensation voluntary retirement savings plan. More information can be found at Deferred Compensation. State Credit Union All state employees are eligible to participate in the Mississippi Public Employees Credit Union. This organization offers state employees special savings and borrowing plans. For more information about this program, call Tuition Reimbursement Many state agencies provide opportunities for their employees to achieve higher education through tuition reimbursement. Common programs include medical and nursing fields, accounting, and business/administrative fields. Career Development and Training The Mississippi State Personnel Board offers several management and administrative certification programs, as well as professional development courses to enhance employee value to the agency. Individual agencies also offer technical training and allow membership in professional organizations to employees in their specific fields of employment. DRS-COUNSELOR II JOB DESCRIPTION Page 6

7 Promotional Opportunities Employees who have completed 6 or more months of service are eligible for promotional opportunities within state government employment. Minimum qualifications must be met. Career Ladders Many job classifications provide career-ladder opportunities based upon attainment of competencies. These career ladders can increase an individual s salary, provided funds are available within the agency. DRS-COUNSELOR II JOB DESCRIPTION Page 7