Vocational & Career Counselor for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing

State of Massachusetts - Lawrence, MA

Full-time - Mid Level

Lawrence, MA

Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support

About the position

MassAbility is seeking dedicated and compassionate individuals who desire a rewarding career making a difference in the lives of individuals with disabilities to obtain and maintain employment. The Vocational & Career Counselor for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing will coordinate vocational rehabilitation services from intake through plan development and placement as mandated by federal statutes and guidelines. The ideal candidate will administer functional skills analysis, review, and analyze assessment tests, interview, and conduct observations, develop plans, partner with service providers, and provide access to successful job placement.

Responsibilities

• Provide professional vocational counseling within a continuum of services to help clients achieve success and to remove barriers by identifying unique strengths, resources, and abilities related to planning and achieving employment outcomes.
• Administer residual functional capacities assessments, interest tests, aptitude tests, transferable skills analysis, and other vocational assessment tools.
• Develop, implement, and monitor Individualized Plans for Employment (IPE) through onsite visits, job fairs and career seminars.
• Engage clients in activities of employment preparedness, job seeking and development; Facilitate appropriate concepts, individually or in group settings, to improve skills necessary for all stages of vocational development.
• Monitor, evaluate, and track client progress with respect to relevant goals in an accurate and timely manner.
• Establish, maintain, and monitor close and cooperative relationships with providers and employers in carrying out supportive services.
• Monitor on-site job coaching and recommend assistive devices for program and/or service use.
• Partner with agency regional/district staff, vendor organizations and other constituents in the role and scope of service delivery.
• Participate in training experiences designed to enhance professional competency in vocational rehabilitation.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Psychology, Sociology, Rehabilitation Counseling, Social Work, Education, or other related human services degrees.
• Four (4) years of full-time or equivalent part-time experience in vocational counselling, job placement, career counselling and guidance, assessment and vocational evaluation, job development and services for employers.
• Proficient in American Sign Language.

Nice-to-haves

• Knowledge of counseling and job placement of persons with vocational/occupational barriers, including physical, emotional, psychological, and intellectual disabilities.
• Familiarity with utilizing psychological tests and other evaluative techniques.
• Commitment to lifelong learning in relationship to their own professional development.
• Outstanding organizational, written, and oral communications skills; attention to detail.
• Proficient usage of Microsoft Office products including Word, Excel, and Outlook; prior use of client database systems a plus.
• Candidates with a Masters Degrees in designated relevant areas may be eligible for a higher grade entry-level QVRC position.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off.
• Opportunities for professional development and training.