This information is for reference only. These classifications are no longer valid and were replaced 7/1/2020.
- Work Therapy Specialist I
- What will I be doing?
- Do I qualify?
- Can I be successful?
- Benefits
- How do I apply?
This is responsible work in the placement of residents in a therapeutic work program in a state mental health or rehabilitation facility.
An employee in this class assists in the selection of residents for assignment to various facility vocational areas such as food service, housekeeping, supply, etc. The employee instructs facility staff in the proper methods of training and working with residents, arranges appropriate work schedules and visits work sites and living units to observe and evaluate residents' adjustment within the program. Close supervision is received from a professional staff member in the department supervising this activity. Work is reviewed through conferences, reports and observation in order to insure conformance with general policy and coordination of the program with other phases of the total treatment program.
Assists in surveying facility departments to determine areas in which residents may be placed as a part of a therapeutic program; assists in the analysis of facility work assignments in terms of physical, mental, rehabilitative, and psychological demands on the resident; discusses these analyses with medical, vocational, occupational therapy, and other professional staff; maintains an inventory of jobs appropriate for various types of residents.
Attends staff meetings with professional personnel to obtain information concerning treatment goals for selected residents; upon staff approval, assumes responsibility for resident placement and orientation in specific jobs.
Interviews residents referred to work program with regard to interests and potential work assignments; reviews case data for information on abilities, skills, aptitudes, and limitations of residents; confers with other facility staff to determine residents' behavior in the living unit; introduces resident to the work site and to the supervising employee.
Advises supervisors of residents on general program orientation and training to be applied to each resident; arranges resident work schedules; participates in group training and orientation programs for resident workers' supervisors; makes periodic visits to work sites to observe resident progress and the quality of supervision received by the resident.
Maintains records of placements, transfers, and residents' progress; keeps work attendance records in order to insure needed monitoring of residents when not in living units.
Performs other related work as assigned.
(The following minimum qualifications will determine merit system eligibility. Allowable experience and education substitutions are provided in italics below the corresponding minimum qualification statement; no other substitutions will be permitted. These minimum qualifications may also be used to evaluate applicants for Missouri Uniform Classification and Pay System positions not requiring selection from merit registers.)
Two or more years of experience in job placement, employment interviewing, job analysis, vocational counseling or other closely related areas.
OR
Two or more years of experience in supervising the work or work related activities of persons with physical disabilities, mental illness, and/or developmental disabilities in a sheltered workshop, pre-sheltered workshop, rehabilitation center, or activity center, of which at least one year must have been at the level of Activity Aide II, Workshop Supervisor I, etc.
(Education in an accredited college or university with coursework in the social or behavioral sciences, counseling, education, public or business administration, personnel management or other closely related fields may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for the stated experience.)
Please note that documentation that supports your eligibility (i.e. transcripts, employment records, etc.) may be required at any time during the application and hiring process. If you do not possess the minimum qualifications, please consider one of many other employment opportunities with the State of Missouri.
Do you possess the key skills which are considered essential for successful employment in this classification?
Working knowledge of the principles of interviewing and job placement.
Working knowledge of the principles of supervision and training of personnel.
Some knowledge of the principles of job analysis and work simplification as it applies to the placement of residents in work situations.
Some knowledge of the nature of mental and physical disabilities.
Some knowledge of the organization and operation of a residential treatment or rehabilitation facility.
Ability to gain the confidence and cooperation of residents.
Ability to establish and maintain cooperative relations with facility staff and to develop appropriate therapeutic attitudes among facility employees at the work sites.
Ability to communicate effectively.
Ability to maintain case records and make reports regarding resident progress.
The following link will provide you with general information about State of Missouri employee benefits.
View benefits