COUNSELOR 1 VOCATIONAL PROGRAM DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

Definition

Under direction of the Supervisor, Vocational Program, Developmental Disabilities or other supervisor in an institution for the developmentally disabled in the Department of Human Services, has charge of one or more of the major phases of the vocational program including resident evaluation, on-campus training, work assignments, or off-campus work projects, and plans, organizes, and carries out simple research and demonstration projects; does related work as required.

Examples of work

Under supervision, plans, organizes, and carries out one or more phases of the resident evaluation, counseling, training, and/or placement phases of the vocational program as may be required. As directed, acts to coordinate student counseling and training programs for the developmentally disabled with those of other departments and/or community agencies. Obtains, analyzes, and evaluates pertinent information about specific residents to assess the overall evaluation of the individual's vocational aptitude, potential, and interest; recommends appropriate courses of training and placement. As required, gives prescribed assignment and instruction to staff engaged in vocational evaluation, counseling, training, and placement activities. Develops suitable wage plans for residents assigned to various on- campus work assignments, vocational training, or sheltered workshops in conformance with existing labor regulations. Establishes and maintains the necessary contacts and relationships with local employers, agencies, and community officials to further the program of community work placement; seeks, locates, and obtains employment in the community for the vocational training of developmentally disabled clients. Gives talks before community and other groups; prepares and/or assists in the preparation of public information media required to further the employment of the developmentally disabled in local community areas. Plans, designs, and implements simple research programs and projects related to the central problem of the vocational capacities of the developmentally disabled. Carries on individual and group counseling with residents who present problems related to vocational, social, and other adjustment. Provides training to center or other institutional staff and assists with the orientation and on-the-job training of employees of the institution. Makes periodic visits to work placement areas both on-campus and off-campus; obtains useful information concerning the work performance of individual residents to be used in evaluation and progress reports. Evaluates aspects of the vocational program and recommends changes, modifications, or additions thereto as indicated. Plans, organizes, and carries out simple classroom instruction relating to the various problems of employment including transportation, work relationships, worker's compensation, and applying for work, social security, and other items. Prepares correspondence in the course of official duties. Prepares clear, sound, accurate, and informative progress reports of individual students and other vocational program reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Maintains essential program records and files. May be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

Requirements

License

Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

Knowledge of the psychological, economic, vocational, social, employment, and other problems of the handicapped individual. Knowledge of the vocational possibilities of the educable developmentally disabled. Knowledge of child labor and other labor laws of the State of New Jersey and the standards, policies, rules, and regulations of the Department of Human Services relating to the employment of the developmentally disabled after a period of training. Knowledge of the concepts and procedures of psychology and mental health, particularly as applied to the developmentally disabled. Knowledge of current literature and trends in the vocational rehabilitation of the developmentally disabled. Knowledge of the common vocational opportunities available for the developmentally disabled. Ability to utilize the methods and materials of modern vocational guidance, testing, and other related techniques in working with the developmentally disabled. Ability to make selective diagnoses of the vocational and rehabilitation capabilities of the developmentally disabled and to utilize available institutional and community resources in a realistic plan of vocational guidance, counseling, and training and placement. Ability to work effectively with other staff members, community employers, and agencies on cooperative programs. Ability to assign, instruct, and monitor the work of personnel assigned to the vocational program. Ability to design, plan, carry out, and report on simple research programs relating to the vocational training of the developmentally disabled. Ability to assist in operating a complex program of public information within the institution and in the larger community to propagate the concept of the employment of the developmentally disabled. Ability to plan and carry out orientation and inservice training for vocational program personnel as well as for members of other departments within the center or other institutions. Ability to prepare extensive correspondence. Ability to make the necessary field trips and investigations. Ability to prepare clear, sound, accurate, and informative student progress and other reports of vocational program activities containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Ability to maintain essential program records and files. Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units. Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication. Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible. Code: P22- ECK 7/7/94

Note

Applicants must meet one of the following or a combination of both experience and education. Thirty (30) semester hour credits are equal to one (1) year of relevant experience. Six (6) years of professional experience providing vocational guidance and counselling, job placement and/or job development for handicapped individuals, including or supplemented by fifteen (15) semester hour credits in any combination of the following: guidance, vocational counseling, special education, educational psychology, social psychology, psychology of the developmentally disabled, job placement, or employer-employee relations or other courses related to employment or counseling. OR Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, including or supplemented by fifteen (15) semester hour credits in any combination of the following: guidance, vocational counseling, special education, educational psychology, social psychology, psychology of the developmentally disabled, job placement or employer-employee relations or other courses related to employment or counseling; and two (2) years of the above-mentioned professional experience. OR Possession of a master's degree in personnel administration, vocational rehabilitation, counseling or guidance, educational psychology, social psychology, psychology of the developmentally disabled, or courses directly related to vocational counseling; and one (1) year of the above-mentioned professional experience. "Professional experience" refers to work that is creative, analytical, evaluative, and interpretive; requires a range and depth of specialized knowledge of the profession's principles, concepts, theories, and practices; and is performed with the authority to act according to one's own judgment and make accurate and informed decisions.