JR2024-00008081 Transition Services Specialist (VR Service or Rehabilitation Specialist) (Open)
Applications No Longer Accepted On (If no date is displayed, job is posted as open until closed): 07-24-2024
Job Description:
Are you interested in making a positive impact on the lives of high school students with disabilities? Transition Services Specialists support these students as they prepare for life after high school and assist them in achieving their goals. In this role, you will visit high schools to provide career exploration services, work readiness skills training, and teach essential soft skills and self-advocacy techniques.
We're looking for kind, empathetic individuals who are team players and have strong relationship building skills. This caseload includes many families who are Spanish speaking, so bilingual skills would be preferred. If you value autonomy, collaboration, and positivity, you will enjoy working with our team!
Office Location & Schedule: This position is assigned to our office located in Grand Island, NE, with potential for some telework contingent upon proper agency approvals.
Pay Rates:
The available salary rate for this position is dependent on education.
Successful candidates with a bachelor's degree will be hired as a Service Specialist, at a salary rate of $24.975 per hour.
Successful candidates with a master's degree will be hired as a Rehabilitation Specialist, at a salary rate of $30.219 per 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
Visits high schools to provide career exploration services and work readiness skills training to high school students with disabilities. Provides education related to resumes, applications, and interviewing skills.
Demonstrates beneficial soft skills (e.g., timeliness, dependability) and advises students in informed decision making, interpersonal, and vocational skills. Develops engaging, educational, and interactive group activities.
Assists students with strengthening their self-advocacy skills related to their disabilities.
Arranges job exploration activities such as informational interviews, job shadows, work-based learning experiences, etc.
Develops and maintains relationships with students, parents, teachers, other educational entity staff, and businesses or employers to ensure quality services for each student and provide information about Nebraska VR services.
Attends Individual Educational Plan (IEP) meetings to gain understanding of student needs and update school staff on VR involvement.
Records accurate documentation and case notes on all interaction with students to inform school staff and parents or guardians, as well as other VR staff.
Demonstrates commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment.
Working Conditions and Travel:
This position requires approximately 40% of work time spent in an office environment (e.g., state offices, home offices); the remainder is spent traveling or working in alternative sites within the community. Employees may be asked, within reason, to use their own personal vehicles for travel. There is also approximately four 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 working with high school students and understanding of secondary school systems. Ability to manage high volume of cases and provide case management services while collaborating with teachers and other school staff. Bilingual in English and Spanish.
Rehabilitation Specialist: Master's degree in related field and progressively responsible experience working with, and advocating for, people with significant disabilities. Experience working with high school students and understanding of secondary school systems. Ability to mentor others in managing high volume of cases and providing quality case management services. Bilingual in English and Spanish.
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.
