Vocational Counselor
Entry Level Requirement: B.A. in psychology, sociology, rehabilitation counseling or a related field required but Master’s may be required to perform certain duties. Must have a valid New Jersey Driver’s license.
Successful completion of the following trainings:
CPR/First Aid
DDD/DVR Requirements
Mental Health First Aid
Ethics every 2 years
Experience operating basic office equipment and technology: Phone, Fax, Copier, Printer, Computer, Smart Phone, Word, Excel, Outlook, basic database data entry, Carelogic EHR, Knowledge of general office procedures.
The counselor is a professional rehabilitation position and is directly responsible to the Director of Vocational Services. He/she is responsible for an assigned caseload including all aspects of service delivery to participants and their families. Must have the specific skills training required by regulation and department.
General Duties:
1. Individual counseling with a goal of helping participants relate to their aptitudes, skills, interests and limitations within a framework of a realistic vocational objective. Individuals could be in school, vocational programming or mental health programming. Counselors are required to become proficient in written goal plan development.
2. Develop and write individual goal plans; track and document participant’s progress, challenges and modifications against plan.
3. Prepare and maintain an on-going case record of the participant’s status while in the program.
4. Prepare reports about participants to the appropriate sponsoring agency and at the request of the Director of Vocational Services.
5. Liaise with referring and other sponsoring agencies as well as community resources as appropriate and necessary.
6. Manage caseload of participants as assigned by Inroads.
7. Attend regular training programs and professional workshops to develop universal and specific skills, certifications and/or licenses as required by funding sources, regulatory agencies and Inroads.
8. Facilitate groups with a focus on psycho-social or vocational goals.
9. Maintain contact with supervising living situations, caregivers and families to ensure continuity of services being offered.
Vocational Duties:
1. Screen and evaluate all pertinent records and reports on new participants regarding psychological, social and vocational information.
2. Orient new participants to the program in general and specifically to what is to take place in the specific vocational program.
3. Vocational testing, scoring and reporting of results to appropriate individuals.
4. Observe and interpret participant’s performance and work behavior on regular contract work.
5. Present of cases at staff meetings to include recommendations.
6. Engage in job sampling, job placement, job coaching and follow along if necessary and appropriate.
7. Interpret and analyze physical and/or mental status, social and economic situation, attitudes and aptitudes, work experiences, functional limitations, educational background, and personality traits to determine type and extent of disability and rehabilitation options.
8. Interpret information from interviews, questionnaires, work and social histories, psychological tests and other diagnostic techniques in vocational assessment and the planning of rehabilitation services.
9. Evaluate and select job sites and/or simulated work environments to provide an individualized program of vocational and work adjustment services for participants.
11. Prepare evaluation reports which emphasize a participant’s strengths and needs and which contain specific measurable objectives, and programs of services necessary for achieving objectives, to the appropriate sponsoring agency.
12. Identify at least one personal professional goal annually that supports your individual continuing professional development, relevant to your work at Inroads that keeps you attune with best practices and trends in your respective field.
Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to lift and/or move up to 10 lbs. Climbing steps, balance, kneel, squat or crawl may be required to complete his/her duties. Reasonable accommodations will be made for individuals with disabilities to perform his/her essential job duties.
Qualified applicants can email resume to: lboyko@inroadsto.com Resume must be accompanied by compensation requirements. No phone calls please. Inroads is an equal opportunity employer.