Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor – Vocational Rehabilitation for Native Americans

Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council is a non-profit organization formed by the Native American Tribes of Wisconsin.  We serve all WI tribes by providing administration of grant-funded programs either directly or with sub grants. Programs range from Child and Maternal services to Education to Disability and Elder benefits. Our Mission is: To Enhance the Quality of Life for all Native People.

The Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor provides a full range of vocational rehabilitation services to eligible Native Americans with disabilities to achieve successful employment outcomes. Pursue and maintain cooperative relationships with other agencies. Daily attendance is an essential function of this position. The office location for this position is Black River Falls, Wisconsin, serving the surrounding counties in this geographic region.

 

·        Determine eligibility of Native Americans to participate in vocational rehabilitation. Communicate eligibility to prospective clients. Provide ineligible individual with alternative resource suggestions. Complete necessary documentation.

·        Develop and manage caseload in the provision of vocational and rehabilitation services to eligible Native Americans with disabilities including, but not limited to: vocational counseling and planning, arranging for vocational evaluation and training, developing and managing a caseload, documenting casework, and providing job placement and follow-up to job ready individuals.

·        Gather, review and analyze client’s medical, psychological, and vocational background information. Arranges for and purchases additional vocational evaluation and/or psychological assessments as necessary.

·        Review current job market information and evaluation data with clients to increase understanding of opportunities available and identify employment options most practical to pursue.

·        Develop and implement an Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) in cooperation with clients. Provide and/or coordinate services with other agencies necessary to implement the IPE. Contact employers for client placement opportunities.

·        Provide ongoing vocational and personal counseling and support to assist client in completing the rehabilitation plan. Counsel clients on the job search process. Contact employed clients and identified other support needed to ensure continued employment success.

·        Develop and maintain ongoing working relationships with other public and private agencies that may have responsibilities and/or the ability to provide services to individuals with disabilities.

·        Contact employers within assigned geographical area for the purpose of promoting the job placement of disabled individuals and for the development of on-the-job training programs. Explore current employment opportunities for the disabled.

·        Complete necessary documentation for all casework activities to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations, policies, and procedures and a complete and accurate client file. Communicate with other agencies as necessary on case progress.

·        Network with other professionals in the field and in related fields to increase individual knowledge and understanding of various disabilities, vocational information, and resources available.

·        Engage in ongoing networking activities to remain current on the availability of health and human services available to Native Americans.

·        Assure that all services are delivered in a culturally competent manner.

·        Participate on various committees both within and external to the organization as deemed necessary and appropriate to the position.

·        Attend all mandatory training sessions and meetings as scheduled.

·        Attend technical conferences, seminars, workshops and other education events to remain current on technological and informational advances.

·        Perform other duties as necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of this position.

Reports directly to the VRNA Program Director. Regular contact with other Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors for purposes of case discussion and staff meetings with Program Director. Frequent contact with various community agencies, employers, service providers, suppliers/vendors, federal and state regulatory agencies and Tribal councils for purposes of coordination and implementation of vocation rehabilitation plans and professional development. Daily contact with clients for purposes of counseling and implementing the IPE.

Required: Bachelor’s degree in Counseling, Human Services, Social Work, or related field required or a combination of relevant education and equivalent work experience. Minimum of two years’ experience in human services. Experience with a Native American Tribal organization and/or not-for-profit agency preferred. Individual must possess excellent verbal and written communication skills; professional demeanor and appearance; problem solving skills; ability to manage time effectively; self-motivation skills; ability to build positive work relationships with internal and external customers; ability to interact professionally with a wide variety of people. Individual must possess excellent language skills and be able to read and understand technical information. Must be able to perform basic math (add, subtract, multiply, divide). Must possess a valid driver’s license and/or reliable transportation with adequate insurance and ability to travel. 

 

This is a full-time salaried exempt position working Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm with a working office in Black River Falls, Wisconsin, serving the surrounding counties in this region. This is not a remote position. This position, based on experience, has a salary range of $36,400 - $40,560 annually with benefits including: Annual and Personal Leave and Holiday Pay; Health, Dental, Life & AD&D, STD and LTD Insurance, FSA and 401(k) Retirement Plan. Requires frequent travel for the purposes of attending community and program related activities. Drug and background screening required pre hire.  

 

To Apply: Preferred method is to apply through our website at www.glitc.org