Review Vacancy
AgencyWorkers' Compensation Board
TitleVocational Rehabilitation Counselor/ Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Trainee 1/2 (NY HELPS), WCB Item #4061
Occupational CategoryOther Professional Careers
Bargaining UnitPS&T - Professional, Scientific, and Technical (PEF)
Salary RangeFrom $56807 to $89645 Annually
Duties Description This position would encompass but not be limited to the following duties:
- Evaluate the need for and develop rehabilitation services for severely injured workers.
- Reviews Workers’ Compensation claims referred in a timely manner and evaluates the claimant’s need for medical, vocational, or psycho-social services. Shows comprehensive knowledge of medical disabilities, rehabilitation techniques, applicable Workers’ Compensation Law, Board rehabilitation procedures, Return to Work strategies, health organizations, occupational requirements, American Disabilities Act, Reasonable Accommodations in the workplace, and labor market conditions.
- Institute, coordinate and expedite rehabilitation services needed by severely injured workers under District Office jurisdiction.
- Demonstrates professional counseling skills, identifies pertinent problems, determines practical course of action, promptly arranging for proper medical, vocational or psycho-social services and outreach, when necessary, with medical providers and employers. Shows comprehensive knowledge of available agency services such as Department of Labor – One Stops and ACCES-VR. Will coordinate rehabilitative services including obtaining carrier funding, promptly expediting compensation problems, and maintaining good working relations with rehabilitation community to facilitate claimant’s early return to work and/or maximum return of function.
- Follow up to completion all rehabilitation programs instituted for severely injured claimants.
- Maintains current record file, contacts interested parties at regular intervals, intercedes promptly when case review indicates compensable, financial, vocational or social programs. Determines case progress, institutes additional programs. Determines reason for case closure and renders evaluation of results.
- Provide direct counseling and job placement services to claimants in the absence of suitable vocational agencies.
- Assists employees and employers in task analysis and job restructuring to enable claimants to return to work. Uses knowledge of community and educational services to obtain alternate funding for programs. May visit severely injured claimants, recommending housing and other supportive measures.
- Serve as the Workers’ Compensation Board’s representative in rehabilitation affairs of the community served by the District Office.
- Uses knowledge of Workers’ Compensation Law and the American Disabilities Act. Has working knowledge of rehabilitation procedures and networks when attending hospital, agency, or educational workshops to advance rehabilitation program. Confers, surveys and speaks before community groups with administrative approval.
- Maintain professional case records and prepares monthly statistical reports.
- Enters pertinent claimant data in case record and internal database to reflect current status. Collects, analyzes and submits significant data on rehabilitation, social service and clerical activities of the unit. Confers with supervisor and institutes procedures to maximize work efficiency.
- Complete all annual mandatory training courses in a timely manner.
- Utilize the ITRS System to analyze and assess all claimant contact, strategy and resolution.
Minimum Qualifications This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS).
For the duration of the NY HELPS Program, this title may be filled via a non-competitive appointment, which means no examination is required but all candidates must meet the minimum qualifications of the title for which they apply. At this time, agencies may recruit and hire employees by making permanent non-competitive appointments and the official probationary period will begin.
At a future date (within one year of permanent appointment), it is expected employees hired under NY HELPS will have their non-competitive employment status converted to competitive status, without having to compete in an examination. Employees will then be afforded with all of the same rights and privileges of competitive class employees of New York State. While serving permanently in a NY HELPS title, employees may take part in any promotion examination for which they are qualified.
Candidates may be required to serve a 2-year traineeship that leads to the SG- 19 position. The traineeship would include SG-15 Trainee 1 and SG-17 Trainee 2. After successful completion of the two-year traineeship the incumbent will advance to the SG-19 level
NON-COMPETITIVE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Trainee 1: A bachelor’s degree or higher AND be enrolled in a master's degree program in Rehabilitation Counseling; OR a master’s degree or higher in a related-degree field*.
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Trainee 2: A bachelor’s degree or higher AND completion of 50% of the coursework toward a master's degree in rehabilitation counseling; OR a master’s degree or higher in a related degree field AND one year of professional work experience in a related field*.
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor: A current Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) certificate; OR a master's degree in rehabilitation counseling, including a supervised internship, from a CORE (Council on Rehabilitation Education) accredited program; OR a master's degree in rehabilitation counseling or counseling and notice of eligibility to sit for the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) certificate examination OR a master’s degree or higher in Rehabilitation Counseling; OR a master’s degree or higher in a related degree field AND two year of professional work experience in a related field.
*Related fields of study include the following: Addictions Counseling, Behavioral Health, Behavioral Science, Blindness Rehabilitation, Child/Family Studies, Communication Disorders, Counseling, Counseling Psychology, Deaf Education, Disability Studies, Educational Psychology, Guidance and Counseling, Health Services, Health Studies, Human Development, Human Relations, Human Resources, Human Services, Marriage and Family Therapy, Mental Health Counseling, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Psychology, Rehabilitation Services, School Counseling, School Psychology, Social Work, Special Education, Substance Use Disorders, Counseling, Vision Rehabilitation Studies, Vocational Assessment, and Vocational Evaluation.
55 B/C QUALIFICATIONS:
Individuals certified eligible for the 55b/c program under the Governor’s Program to Hire Persons/Veterans with Disabilities pursuant to Section 55b/c of the Civil Service Law will also be considered. To be considered, you must meet the minimum qualifications and provide a copy of your letter of eligibility with your response.
COMPETITIVE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
CIVIL SERVICE LIST APPOINTMENT:
Candidates must be reachable on the appropriate Civil Service eligible list.
OR
TRANSFER QUALIFICATIONS:
Candidates must have one year permanent or 55 b/c service in a title designated as appropriate for transfer in accordance with 70.1 of the Civil Service Law.
70.4 transfer candidates must have one year of permanent competitive service in a position allocated to a SG-13 or higher and possess a bachelor’s degree and have standing on the Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor exam list.
Additional Comments Please Note: This position requires both in-office and remote work. A hybrid telecommuting schedule can be discussed with the hiring manager during the interview.
We offer a work-life balance and a generous benefits package, worth 65% of salary, including:
Holiday & Paid Time Off
• Thirteen (13) paid holidays annually.
• Thirteen (13) days of paid vacation leave in year one, increasing to 20+ days with additional years of service.
• Five (5) days of paid personal leave annually.
• Thirteen (13) days of paid sick leave annually for PEF/CSEA and eight (8) days paid sick leave annually for M/C.
• Annual professional leave and educational leave opportunities for eligible staff.
Health Care Benefits
• Eligible employees and dependents can choose from a variety of affordable and generous health insurance programs.
• Family dental and vision benefits at no additional cost.
Additional Benefits
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).
• Enrollment in the New York State pension system which has earned the distinction of being one of the best-managed and best-funded plans in the nation OR Optional Retirement Defined Contribution Plan with 8% salary match (eligibility requirements apply).
• NYS Deferred Compensation and an exclusive 403(b) Optional Retirement Savings Plan.
• Paid Parental Leave for all employees and Paid Family Leave (M/C Only).
• Eligibility for various life insurance options.
• Access to NY 529 and NY ABLE College Savings Program
• Flexible Spending Program, which allows employees to set aside pre-tax payroll deductions for eligible health care and dependent care expenses.
For new State employees appointed to graded positions, the annual salary is the hiring rate (beginning of the Salary Range) of the position. Promotion salaries are calculated by the NYS Office of the State Comptroller in accordance with NYS Civil Service Law, OSC Payroll rules and regulations and negotiated union contracts.
The Workers’ Compensation Board (Board) is an equal opportunity employer. The Board does not discriminate based upon age, race, creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, military or veteran status, sex, disability (including pregnancy-related conditions), predisposing genetic characteristics, familial status, marital status, status as a victim of domestic violence, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. The Board is dedicated to eliminating injustices and ensuring diversity in our workforce so we can better serve our staff and create a space where all feel safe to be themselves. To help meet those goals, we encourage applicants from marginalized communities to apply. We are looking for candidates who are committed to working in and contributing to an environment that fosters a sense of belonging, as well as inclusion, and celebrates people of all backgrounds, identities, experiences, and perspectives.
We are happy to provide reasonable accommodations during the hiring process. If you have a disability or special need that requires a reasonable accommodation, please send a request to officeofgeneralcounsel@wcb.ny.gov.
Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.
Address
Street Human Resources Office, Rm.133
328 State Street
Notes on ApplyingQualified candidates should submit a letter of interest and resume which lists your actual Civil Service title, salary grade and specific verifiable information as to how you meet the minimum qualifications to be eligible to apply for this position. Please submit your application to HRM@WCB.ny.gov (email applications are preferred). It is important that you reference WCB Item #4061 in the subject line of your email to ensure receipt of your application. (Please do not reference the Vacancy ID No. when responding)