Placement Specialist (VR Service Or Rehabilitation Specialist)

Placement Specialist

Do you enjoy meeting new people and want to make a real impact? Nebraska VR is seeking a Placement Specialist to support individuals with disabilities in securing and maintaining meaningful employment. In this role, you'll forge and strengthen relationships with businesses to create valuable job opportunities while guiding clients through every stage of their career journey. We're looking for candidates who are personable, proactive, and adaptable, with exceptional communication and interpersonal skills. If you're motivated by the chance to make a significant difference, excel in networking and building professional relationships, and thrive in diverse interactions, this role could be a perfect fit for you. Apply today!

Office Location: This position is assigned to our office located in Norfolk, NE.

Pay Rates: The available salary rate for this position is dependent on education and is based upon available budget funds; any offer will be made at this rate.

• Successful candidates with a bachelor's degree will be hired as a Service Specialist, Pay Grade 5: $25.287/hour
• Successful candidates with a master's degree will be hired as a Rehabilitation Specialist, Pay Grade 7: $30.597/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:

• Assists clients in learning how to prepare resumes and applications, and practice effective interviewing skills.
• Provides individualized information about jobs and their requirements to clients and assists with job retention.
• Instructs clients in Job Seeking Skills (JSS) training and job development activities.
• Initiates and develops relationships with employers, human resources, and management.
• Develops and coordinates community-based evaluations, including on-the-job evaluations (OJEs) and on-the-job trainings (OJTs).
• Provides career, personal adjustment, and disability counseling to help clients (adult and high school age students) achieve employment outcomes.
• 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.

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 60% of work time spent in an office environment; the remaining 40% 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 five days of overnight travel per year.

Requirements/Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

Service Specialist: Bachelor's degree in a related field and at least one year of work experience related to the essential functions of the position.

Rehabilitation Specialist: Master's degree with emphasis in one of the following areas: Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling, Counseling and Guidance, or another field that reasonably provides competence in the employment sector, in a disability field, or both.

Preferred Qualifications:

Service Specialist: Experience working with, and advocating for, people with disabilities. Experience or training providing case management services (documenting observations, writing case notes, locating resources).

Rehabilitation Specialist: Master's degree in related field and direct experience working with and advocating for persons with significant disabilities. Experience or training providing case management services (documenting observations, writing case notes, locating resources).

If you have any questions about this posting or working at NDE, please email us at nde.hrjobpostings@nebraska.gov.

Benefits

We offer a comprehensive package of pay, benefits, paid time off, retirement and professional development opportunities to help you get the most out of your career and life. Your paycheck is just part of your total compensation. Check out all that the State of Nebraska has to offer! Benefit eligibility may vary by position, agency and employment status. For more information on benefits, please visit: https://statejobs.nebraska.gov/index.html#benefits

Equal Opportunity Statement: The State of Nebraska values our teammates as well as a supportive environment that strives to promote diversity, inclusion, and belonging. We recruit, hire, train, and promote in all job classifications and at all levels without regard to race, color, religion, sex. age, national origin, disability, marital status or genetics.

Current employees of the State of Nebraska should NOT apply on this external career. Instead go to Workday and access the Jobs Hub - Internal Apply app from your home landing page.