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<h4>Introduction</h4> Do you want to make a difference while participating in a dynamic and reciprocal health care environment? Apply today and be part of a&nbsp;fulfilling journey in public service!&nbsp; THE POSITION The&nbsp;State of Connecticut,&nbsp;Department of Aging and Disability Services (ADS),&nbsp;is seeking qualified individuals to join our team with the Bureau of Rehabilitation Services (BRS) as a&nbsp;Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor 1.&nbsp;This position will work as a Rehabilitation Counselor for the Deaf (RCD) and will support our Western Region offices. The selected candidate would be responsible for providing vocational rehabilitation services to individuals who are Deaf, DeafBlind (ASL users), or hard of hearing. Find out more information on these great opportunities below! Due to the nature of the work the selected candidate will be doing, our ideal candidate will be fluent in American Sign Language (ASL). HIGHLIGHTS <ul><li>WORK SCHEDULE: Typically Monday - Friday, with a combination of in-office and telework days&nbsp;</li><li>WORK HOURS: Full-Time, 35 Hours per Week, First Shift</li><li>LOCATION: 249 Thomaston Ave, Waterbury, CT <ul><li>PLEASE NOTE:&nbsp;Although this position will be based out of our Waterbury Office, it will also support efforts out of our Bridgeport District Office, located at 1057 Broad St, Bridgeport, CT.&nbsp;</li></ul></li></ul> WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU <ul><li>Visit our&nbsp;new&nbsp;State Employee Benefits Overview&nbsp;page!</li><li>Work&nbsp;at a Forbes-recognized company! Connecticut is proud to be featured on both America's Best Employers by State and Best Employers for New Grads in 2024. With our dynamic job market and commitment to fostering a thriving workforce, Connecticut stands out as a top destination for both seasoned professionals and fresh graduates seeking to launch their careers.</li><li>Professional growth and development opportunities</li><li>A healthy&nbsp;work/life balance&nbsp;to all employees</li></ul> DISCOVER THE OPPORTUNITY TO&nbsp; <ul><li>Provide vocational rehabilitation services to individuals with who are Deaf, DeafBlind (ASL users), or hard of hearing;&nbsp;</li><li>Conduct&nbsp;intakes, gathering, and reviewing records for eligibility determination, performing assessments, providing career counseling and individualized services to eligible transition-age youth and adults with disabilities regarding their employment options, and developing effective partnerships through community outreach;</li><li>Provide&nbsp;support to high school students who are Deaf, DeafBlind (ASL users), or hard of hearing by collaborating with schools, students, and families to offer pre-vocational services, resources, and information essential for a successful transition from high school to the workforce; and&nbsp;</li><li>Have&nbsp;ongoing interactions with the public, conduct community outreach and manage referrals from multiple sources including general intake, community organizations, school systems and other community organizations to provide vocational rehabilitation services to individuals with a wide variety of disabilities including those who are Deaf, DeafBlind (ASL users).</li></ul> ABOUT US&nbsp; ADS offers a myriad of programs and services to assist older adults and people&nbsp;with disabilities. Our programs, policies and practices are designed to:&nbsp; <ul><li>Deliver integrated aging and disability services responsive to the needs of Connecticut citizens;</li><li>Provide leadership on aging and disability issues statewide;&nbsp;</li><li>Provide and coordinate aging and disability programs and services in the areas of employment, education, independent living, accessibility and advocacy;&nbsp;</li><li>Advocate for the rights of Connecticut residents with disabilities and older adults; and&nbsp;</li><li>Serve as a resource on aging and disability issues at the state level.</li></ul> <h4>Selection Plan</h4> FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING: Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Reference Library for additional support throughout the recruitment process.&nbsp; BEFORE YOU APPLY: <ul><li>Meet Minimum Qualifications: Ensure you meet the Minimum Qualifications listed on the job opening by the job closing date. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements listed must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified. &nbsp;</li><li>Educational Credits: List your earned credits and degrees from accredited institutions accurately on your application. To receive educational credits towards qualification, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the contact listed below by the closing date listed on the job posting.&nbsp;</li><li>Resume Policy: Per Public Act 21-69, resumes are not accepted during the initial application process. As the recruitment process progresses, candidates may be required to submit additional documentation to support their qualification(s) for this position. This documentation may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the request and discretion of the hiring agency.&nbsp;</li><li>Preferred Shift/Location:&nbsp;Select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift.&nbsp;</li><li>Timely Submission: All application materials must be received by the job posting deadline. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State. &nbsp;Late submissions are rarely accepted, with exceptions only for documented events that incapacitate individuals during the entire duration of the job posting. Request exceptions by emailing <a href="mailto:DAS.SHRM@ct.gov" target="_blank">DAS.SHRM@ct.gov</a>.&nbsp;</li><li>Salary Calculations: For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other.&nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>Note: The only way to apply to this posting is via the ‘Apply’ or ‘Apply Online’ buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center job posting.</li></ul> AFTER YOU APPLY: <ul><li>Referral Questions: This posting may require completion of additional Referral Questions (RQs), which must be completed by the questionnaire’s expiration date. If requested, RQs can be accessed via an email sent to you after the job close date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section).&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>Prepare For An Interview: Interviews are limited to those whose experience and training are most aligned with the role. To prepare, review this helpful Interview Preparation Guide to make the best impression!&nbsp;</li><li>Stay connected! Log in daily to your JobAps Personal Status Board to track your status and check email (including spam/junk folders) for updates and tasks.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>Note: This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State employees, available at <a href="http://www.ct.gov/ethics" target="_blank">www.ct.gov/ethics</a>.</li></ul> QUESTIONS? WE’RE HERE TO HELP: Due to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt or provide status updates directly. For recruitment updates, please check your Personal Status Board and review our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have additional questions about the recruitment process, reach out to Jensine Tran at <a href="mailto:Jensine.Tran@ct.gov" target="_blank">Jensine.Tran@ct.gov</a>.&nbsp; Join the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence! <h4>PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)</h4> In the Department of Aging and Disability Services, Bureau of Rehabilitation Services this class is accountable for performing professional rehabilitation services for individuals with disabilities. <h4>EXAMPLES OF DUTIES</h4> <ul><li>Performs a limited range of professional rehabilitation planning for and services to individuals with disabilities and rehabilitation needs;&nbsp;</li><li>Conducts interviews and explains functions, services and eligibility requirements of the agency;&nbsp;</li><li>Counsels individuals and assists in planning, selecting, preparing for and achieving a vocational goal;&nbsp;</li><li>Obtains sufficient case information from schools, employers, Social Security Administration and other public and private agencies and medical facilities;&nbsp;</li><li>Arranges for services within the agency or other community agencies;&nbsp;</li><li>Prepares written reports to document decisions and assesses vocational rehabilitation potential;&nbsp;</li><li>Establishes community referral sources;&nbsp;</li><li>Prepares case histories and other case records as components of an assigned caseload using an electronic system;&nbsp;</li><li>Coordinates and delivers presentations;&nbsp;</li><li>May administer vocational tests;&nbsp;</li><li>Performs related duties as required.</li></ul> <h4>KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY</h4> <ul><li>Knowledge of <ul><li>the principles and techniques of vocational rehabilitation counseling and interviewing;&nbsp;</li><li>disability and resulting functional limitation and medical terminology;&nbsp;</li><li>community resources;&nbsp;</li></ul></li><li>Skills <ul><li>interpersonal skills;&nbsp;</li><li>oral and written communication skills;&nbsp;</li></ul></li><li>Ability to <ul><li>relate to different cultural and economic backgrounds;&nbsp;</li><li>organize time, set priorities and manage workload using an electronic system;</li><li>gather, analyze and evaluate significant information pertinent to the rehabilitation of an individual;&nbsp;</li><li>establish and maintain an effective counseling relationship with individuals;&nbsp;</li><li>write reports.</li></ul></li></ul> <h4>MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE</h4> A Master's degree from an accredited college with a major course of study in vocational rehabilitation counseling, psychology, special education or related behavioral or social sciences. <h4>PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS</h4> <ul><li>Experience working with high school students or adults with disabilities to include individuals who are Deaf, DeafBlind and hard of hearing</li><li>Experience providing outreach to the Deaf community and conducting presentations to community agencies</li><li>Experience with an electronic case management system, Outlook, and video conferencing platforms</li><li>Experience managing competing priorities while meeting deadlines</li><li>Experience communicating with internal and external stakeholders</li><li>Experience utilizing assistive technology and communication resources for deafness and hearing loss in the workplace</li><li>Fluent in American Sign Language</li></ul> <h4>SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS</h4> <ul><li>Incumbents in this class will be required to obtain the educational qualification for the Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor 1 and meet the most current national standard for Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) as specified by the Commissioner on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC). </li><li>Incumbents in this class are required to maintain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator's license or Identification Card.</li><li>Incumbents in this class may be required to travel with or without accommodation.</li></ul> <h4>Conclusion</h4> AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities. <h4>ACKNOWLEDGEMENT</h4> As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.

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