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Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor For The Blind

This information is for reference only. These classifications are no longer valid and were replaced 7/1/2020.

  • Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor For The Blind
  • What will I be doing?
  • Do I qualify?
  • Can I be successful?
  • Benefits
  • How do I apply?
Class Number: 
5172
Annual Salary Range:
$36,360.00 – $57,792.00
Twice-a-Month Salary Range:
$1,515.00 – $2,408.00
Pay Grade: 
06

View Class Specification Document

Definition

This is professional rehabilitation counseling work offered by the Family Support Division’s Rehabilitation Services for the Blind (RSB) involving the provision of vocational rehabilitation services for significantly visually impaired and blind persons.

Job Duties

Provides rehabilitation counseling services for consumers within an assigned district of the state.

Conducts in-depth interviews of persons with disabilities to obtain information regarding medical and family history, social functioning, education, work experience, self-perception, attitudes, financial resources, and vocational interests.

Arranges for and/or administers psychological tests to ascertain consumer’s cognitive level, aptitudes, interests, and abilities.

Collects, analyzes, and interprets medical, psychological, social, educational, and vocational data to determine the consumer’s eligibility for services; negotiates, develops, and initiates a rehabilitation program and Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE), emphasizing the determination and achievement of an appropriate vocational goal through consumer participation.

Manages, as directed, case service needs to ensure quality and cost-effective rehabilitation outcomes.

Utilizes knowledge of community resources, and accesses other financial resources (comparable benefit analysis required by federal regulations) to reduce rehabilitation costs.

Achieves employment outcomes by implementing the consumer’s IPE through authorizing, purchasing, arranging, referring for, and coordinating services, such as physical and mental restoration; educational and vocational training; computer and adaptive equipment; and job placement based on capacities and informed consumer choice.

Contacts employers to provide education and assess their needs; develops jobs and coordinates placement of consumers with employers.

Represents the interest of the consumer regarding disability, independence, and employment; serves as a liaison to their family and support systems, community resources, businesses, government agencies, schools, health care facilities, physicians, service providers, employers, and others.

Maintains relationships with other State and community support agencies to ensure wraparound employment services in accordance with federal guidelines.

Travels frequently to conduct home visits, attend meetings and placement follow-ups with employers, and participate in training opportunities.

Exercises increasing independence and initiative within established guidelines; receives general supervision from a district supervisor.

Performs other related work as assigned.

View Class Specification Document

(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.)

One or more years of experience as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor for the Blind Trainee with the Missouri Uniform Classification and Pay System.

OR

One or more years of experience as a Children's Specialist for the Blind or Rehabilitation Teacher for the Blind with the Missouri Uniform Classification and Pay System; and,

Possession of a Bachelor’s or higher level degree with a minimum of 24 earned credit hours in one or a combination of the following: Counseling, Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling, Disability Studies, Human Resources, Business Administration, Special Education, Psychology, or Social Work.

OR

A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum of 24 earned credit hours in one or a combination of the following: Counseling, Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling, Disability Studies, Human Resources, Business Administration, Special Education, Psychology, or Social Work; and,

One or more years of professional experience providing services to and/or advocacy for individuals with disabilities.

(A Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in the specified fields may substitute for the stated experience.)

OR 

Possession of a current Certified Rehabilitation Counselor certification issued by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification.

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.

View Class Specification Document

Key Skills

Do you possess the key skills which are considered essential for successful employment in this classification?

Intermediate knowledge of vocational rehabilitation counseling methods and techniques.

Intermediate knowledge of the provisions of the Federal Rehabilitation Act and RSB’s Administrative Rule, policies, and procedures.

Intermediate knowledge of anatomy and diseases of the eye, treatments, and the complex array of problems caused by blindness and/or visual impairments.

Intermediate knowledge of medical and mental disabilities and treatments and their effect on the rehabilitation process.

Intermediate knowledge of the labor market.

Intermediate knowledge of available community resources and their organization, purpose, and use as they pertain to potential vocational rehabilitation services and employment opportunities.

Ability to assess employer needs and employment opportunities.

Ability to understand and interpret federal and state legislation pertaining to the vocational rehabilitation of blind and/or visually impaired persons.

Ability to collect and evaluate a wide variety of medical, psychological, social, and vocational diagnostic data and apply such to the development and implementation of a rehabilitation plan for visually impaired/blind persons in conjunction with the consumer’s informed choice.

Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with professional staff, consumers, service contractors, families, advocates, employers, the business community, and other agency representatives.

Ability to authorize, encumber, and expend vocational rehabilitation funds in an appropriate, effective, and consistent manner.

Ability to communicate effectively and prepare comprehensive reports and case recordings.

Ability to act in accordance with the legal aspects of the vocational rehabilitation program.

Ability to travel, as required, in the performance of duties.

View Class Specification Document

The following link will provide you with general information about State of Missouri employee benefits.

View benefits

View Class Specification Document