Career Counseling Specialist (VR Service or Rehabilitation Specialist)

The work we do matters!

Hiring Agency:

Education - Agency 13

Location:

Columbus, NE

Hiring Rate:

$24.975

Job Posting:

JR2025-00012455 Career Counseling Specialist (VR Service or Rehabilitation Specialist) (Open)

Applications No Longer Accepted On (If no date is displayed, job is posted as open until closed):

01-21-2025

Job Description:

Are you interested in a career helping others reach their full potential? Join our team as a Career Counseling Specialist! In this role, you'll assist Nebraska VR clients in preparing for, finding, and maintaining employment, guiding them through the career planning process and supporting them in achieving their employment goals.

This is a great team with supportive coworkers who work and communicate well together! The hiring panel is looking for candidates experienced with case management and managing multiple cases, who are flexible, have initiative, and capable of independent decision making.

 

Office Location & Schedule: This position is assigned to our office located in Columbus, NE, with potential for some telework contingent upon proper agency approvals.

Pay Rates:

The available salary rate for this position is dependent on education.

• Successful candidates with a bachelor’s degree will be hired as a Service Specialist, at a salary rate of $24.975 per hour.
• Successful candidates with a master’s degree will be hired as a Rehabilitation Specialist, at a salary rate of $30.219 per hour.

Teammates Enjoy

In addition to being part of meaningful work and making a difference through public service, our Total Compensation package includes an approximate $24,500 - $26,900 in additional Benefits value! See full benefits information at https://statejobs.nebraska.gov/index.html#benefits

• Competitive benefits, paid time off, and retirement
  • 79% employer-paid health insurance, dental, vision, long and short-term disability, flex spending and health savings accounts, employee discount program, and more!
  • Generous vacation and sick leave earnings each year (starting at 12 days each!), plus a variety of other leave types
  • 156% state-matched retirement (yes, that’s $1.56 for every dollar!) with a guaranteed 5% return
• Thirteen paid holidays per year

Essential Functions

• Conducts employment discussion and career exploration to assess client strengths and barriers, vocational interests, aptitude, skills, preferences, and values.
• Determines and prepares case for client eligibility, priority groups, job goal, and plan for employment by analyzing and synthesizing medical and psychological reports, social, education, and employment information.
• Develops and manages Individualized Plans for Employment (IPEs), and employment outcome determinations.
• Advises and instructs people with disabilities in informed decision making, interpersonal, educational, and vocational skills.
• Monitors and advocates for client progress to support efficient follow through by team members and providers to ensure client success.
• Develops and maintains partnerships with employers, community referral sources, and one-stop centers.
• Provides outreach and information about vocational rehabilitation to the community, including referral sources and schools.
• Recommends the purchase of goods and services for clients in accordance with established fiscal policies and procedures.
• Demonstrates commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment.

Rehabilitation Specialist Additional Functions: Including the functions above, Rehabilitation Specialists also perform the Essential Functions below.

• Prepares and approves cases for client eligibility, priority groups, job goal, and plan for employment by analyzing and synthesizing medical and psychological reports, social, education, and employment information.
• Develops, manages, and approves Individualized Plans for Employment (IPEs), and employment outcome determinations.

Working Conditions and Travel:

This position requires approximately 80% of work time spent in an office environment (e.g., state offices, home offices); the remaining 20% of work time is spent in the community. Employees may be asked, within reason, to use their own personal vehicles for travel. There is also approximately three days of overnight travel per year.

Requirements / Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

Service Specialist