Placement Specialist (VR Service Or Rehabilitation Specialist)

Placement Specialist

Do you enjoy meeting new people? Want to make a positive impact? Join Nebraska VR as a Career Placement Specialist if this sounds like you! This position will work within the community to create relationships with businesses to "sell" VR and advocate for clients – this requires great communication skills and confidence with cold calls to initiate the conversation! It also collaborates with people with disabilities to prepare resumes, complete applications, and practice interviewing skills – if you have experience navigating Human Resources processes that would help here! This is a teamwork-oriented office with a welcoming environment. They are high performers but have fun and help each other so it's a low-stress culture! If you are personable and enjoy meeting new people, adaptable and flexible, and have high initiative, apply today! This position is assigned to our office located at 84th & O St, Lincoln, NE.

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

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

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 Specialists also perform the following:

• 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.

This position requires approximately 40% of work time spent in an office environment; the remaining 60% 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 two days of overnight travel per year.

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). Bilingual in English/ Spanish.
• 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). Bilingual in English/ Spanish.

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