Rehabilitation Counselor for the Deaf

Now accepting applications for

Rehabilitation Counselor for the Deaf

(American Sign Language Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor)

Hourly: $27.83

or

$30.37 for candidates who possessed the following certifications:

Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) or Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW)

Applicants for this position MUST be proficient in American Sign Language

Prior to appointment, applicants will be required to demonstrate fluent communication skills in American Sign Language or other non-verbal means of communication (eg manually coded-English, etc.) A person without fluent skills will not be eligible for appointment.

This position offers the flexibility of a hybrid schedule that combines working from home with regular in-office and/or community presence. The hybrid schedule for this role would be at least 2 days in office and/or community (total of 16 hours) and 3 telework days. This schedule can vary based on operational needs. In-person work requirements may change for training, meetings, and other operational needs. Employees must reside at a location that allows for reasonable response time to workplace reporting requirements. Daytime travel within Ohio may be required.

Position Headquarters

Columbus BSVI/BVR East Broad St., Whitehall, OH 43213

What We Do

OOD works with partners in businesses, education, and non-profit organizations to facilitate customized employment plans for Ohioans with disabilities; helps Ohio companies recruit and retain employees with disabilities; and is the sole agency determining medical and vocational Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs in Ohio. To learn more about OOD, please visit our website:

Our Guiding Principles

In striving for excellence in service, we will:

• Listen first
• Act with a sense of urgency
• Honor diversity
• Foster inclusiveness
• Value collaboration
• Inspire innovation
• Be transparent
• Be accountable
• Celebrate success

Division Overview

OOD's Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation (BVR) and Bureau of Services for the Visually Impaired (BSVI) provide vocational rehabilitation (VR) services to eligible individuals with disabilities to assist them to attain and maintain competitive integrated employment. OOD works with adults seeking to enter the workforce or retain a job, and with youth beginning at age 14 to assist them as they transition from high school into college and/or the workplace. For more information, download the OOD Vocational Rehabilitation Fact Sheet.

Rehabilitation Counselor for the Deaf Position Overview

As a Rehabilitation Counselor for the Deaf (RCD), you will learn about rehabilitation counseling, programs related to individuals with disabilities, labor market job opportunities; and employment barriers & accommodations.

RCDs help Deaf Ohioans with employment. The job has a lot of variety, so every day can look different. On one day, an RCD may be working with a Deaf high school, helping them learn about the world of work and talking about self-advocacy. On another day, an RCD may be meeting with a person who has been at the same job for the last 15 years and is interested in getting promoted.

RCDs help Deaf Ohioans think about what jobs will be a good fit for them, help them develop a plan to prepare for that job, and then help them get and keep that job. RCDs collaborate with a lot of community partners, like the Community Centers for the Deaf (CCDs), local schools and training programs, and the county Ohio Means Jobs (OMJ) centers.

RCDs are managed by a supervisor who knows sign language, and all team members know sign language as well. OOD has a team of staff interpreters to support the work of the RCDs.

Rehabilitation Counselor for the Deaf Duties

• Counsel individuals toward increased functioning and mutually agreeable vocational goals
• Interview individuals with disabilities to gather detailed information about their work history, medical situation, and more
• Interpret diagnostic information
• Counsel individuals and their families concerning strengths and limitations based upon diagnostic information
• Determine eligibility for services
• Develop comprehensive individual written VR plans

A Successful Rehabilitation Counselor for the Deaf

• Is highly organized with efficient time management skills;
• Is able to conduct research, analyze technical material and results;
• Has outstanding public relations and customer service skills;
• Has excellent interviewing techniques & computer skills;
• Able to work collaboratively and develop rapport;
• Has an understanding of the local labor market

What's in it for you:

At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible Full time and part-time employees. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website Our benefits package includes:

Medical Coverage

• Quality, affordable, and competitive medical benefits are offered through the available Ohio Med plans.

Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance

• Dental, vision, and basic life insurance premiums are free after completed eligibility period. Length of eligibility period is dependent on union representation.

Time Away From Work and Work/Life Balance

• Paid time off, including vacation, personal, and sick leave
• 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth/Adoption leave

Employee Development Funds

• The State of Ohio offers a variety of educational and professional development funding that varies based on whether you are a union-exempt employee or a union-represented employee.

Ohio Public Employees Retirement System

• OPERS is the retirement system for State of Ohio employees. The employee contributes 10% of their salary towards their retirement. The employer contributes an amount equal to 14% of the employee's salary. Visit the OPERS website for more information.

Deferred Compensation

• The Ohio Deferred Compensation program is a 457(b) voluntary retirement savings plan. Visit the Ohio Deferred Compensation website for more information.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) Mission Statement:

OOD is deeply committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) and is actively engaged in continual DEIA improvement. OOD is amongst the top-ranked state agencies implementing DEIA planning and programming into businesses operations and services.

OOD strives to hire, sustain, and promote a workforce that not only embraces this mission but is also reflective of the rich diversity of the Ohioans we serve. OOD is intentional in cultivating an inclusive, diverse, equitable, and accessible environment where all voices are heard, respected, and valued, as demonstrated by the way we treat all individuals.

Applicants for this position MUST be proficient in American Sign Language.

Bachelor's degree in vocational rehabilitation counseling, counseling, social work, psychology, disability studies, special education, business administration, human resources, economics or related rehabilitation or human services area; AND 24 months experience direct work with individuals with disabilities (eg Independent Living Center or 24 months providing direct service or advocacy activities with individuals with disabilities.

OR

Master's degree in in vocational rehabilitation counseling, counseling, social work, psychology, disability studies, special education, or related rehabilitation or human services area

OR

Master's degree in business administration, human resources, law, management, public administration or related field which provides competence in the employment sector &/or the field of disability; AND 12 months direct work experience with individuals with disabilities (eg Independent Living Center) or 12 months experience providing direct service or advocacy activities with individuals with disabilities.

Note: Education & experience per Code of Federal Regulations Title 34-Subtitle B-Chapter III-Part 361-Subpart B-361.18

Job Skills: Vocational Rehabilitation, American Sign Language, Counseling and Rehabilitation, Human Services, Public Relations, Budgeting, Organizing and Planning, Collaboration, Time Management, Intercultural Communication, Analyzation

Application Requirements

Please ensure your online application clearly indicates how you meet minimum qualifications (MQs). If you meet MQs due to college courses, a degree, and/or relevant licensure, you must submit a copy of your unofficial transcript by the posting deadline by attaching directly on the Additional Attachments section of the application (Step 7) or via email to (see below)

"See resume" is not a substitution for completing supplemental questions. Answers to the supplemental questions must be supported by the work experience/education sections of the application.

Applications that fail to demonstrate how they meet minimum qualifications will not be considered.

Selection Process

The selection process consists of an online assessment and a remote structured interview. All parts of the assessment will be administered remotely at this time. Candidates should make sure their account contains an email address that is checked regularly, including checking junk and/or spam.

This position shall be filled in accordance with the provisions of the SEIU/1199 Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Daytime travel within Ohio may be required. The selected candidate must provide own transportation or, in order to operate a state vehicle, must have a valid driver's license.

Application Status

Applicants can check their application status and all vacancy-related email correspondence on "My Jobpage." On the Careers.Ohio.Gov job search webpage, once signed in the link to My Jobpage is displayed under the TeamOhio logo.

Technical Assistance

Applicants who require technical assistance (eg, issues logging in or other system-related issues) should contact (see below)

Reasonable Accommodation

Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs, and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws. If you require an accommodation based on a disability for any step of the selection process, please contact (see below) so proper arrangements can be made.

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