Rehabilitation Counselor I/Intern Colorado Springs

Salary : $61,776.00 - $74,796.00 Annually

Location : Colorado Springs, CO

Job Type: Full Time

Job Number: KAA 0139 RC I/RI 4.22

Department: Department of Labor and Employment

Division: Division of Vocational Rehabilitation

Opening Date: 04/22/2024

Closing Date: 5/1/2024 5:00 PM Mountain

FLSA: Determined by Position

Primary Physical Work Address: 1365 Garden of the Gods Rd suite 250, Colorado Springs, CO 80907, USA

FLSA Status: Exempt; position is not eligible for overtime compensation.

Department Contact Information: david.stevenson@state.co.us

Type of Announcement: A residency waiver has been granted for this announcement. Applications will be considered from residents and non-residents of Colorado.

How To Apply: Please submit an online application for this position at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/colorado. Reach out to the Department Contact to apply using a paper application, including any supplemental questions. Failure to submit a complete and timely application may result in the rejection of your application. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that application materials are received by the appropriate Human Resources office before the closing date and time listed.

Department Information

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT WILL REMAIN OPEN UNTIL WEDNESDAY, MAY 1st, 2024.

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS OPEN TO RESIDENT AND NON-RESIDENTS OF COLORADO

This position will have remote and hybrid workplace options available but will still be required to report to the listed address at the discretion of the supervisor and based on business need.
The Department of Labor and Employment keeps Colorado strong and competitive. We connect workers with great jobs and assist those who have been injured on the job. We help people who are unemployed through no fault of their own by providing temporary wage replacement and we ensure fair labor practices. We provide an up-to-date and accurate picture of the economy that helps in decision making. And we protect the workplace - and Colorado communities - with a variety of consumer protection and safety programs.

This is a values-driven organization, committed to accountability, agility, collaboration, and respect.

We believe in outstanding customer service, an inclusive culture, continued process improvement and in our role as a trusted and strategic partner. Recognizing that knowledgeable employees drive our success, we are seeking dedicated individuals who exhibit our shared values and our passion for quality and excellence in all we do.

In addition to rewarding and meaningful work, we offer excellent :

• Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including a plus 401(k) and 457 plans
• Employer supplemented
• Paid life insurance
• Short- and long-term disability coverage
• 11 paid holidays per year plus vacation and sick leave
• state employee discount program
• MotivateMe employee wellness program
• Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, training and more
• Access to participate in employer-supported employee affinity spaces
• RTD Eco-Pass Commuter Program
• Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information go to

Our agency website:
CDLE has implemented a pilot program on March 1st, 2022 which will award Disability Hiring Preference Points similar to the Veterans' Preference Points program. During your application process you will be asked if you would like to be considered for either of these programs for additional points in the hiring process. To learn more about Disability Hiring Preference and what will be required to participate, please visit our website:

PLEASE NOTE: With the beginning of this program, CDLE will no longer accept attachments of any kind with applications. Please be as thorough as possible in documenting your education and work history in the application system. Attachments will not be accepted or considered during any phase of the hiring process including minimum qualification screening, comparative analysis, or interviews.
Description of Job

JOB CLASSIFICATION:
Rehabilitation Intern -
Rehabilitation Counselor I -

Rehabilitation Intern Salary:
$25.65 - $26.07 Hourly
$2,052.00 - $2,085.69 Biweekly
$4,446.00 - $4,519.00 Monthly
$53,352.00 - $54,228.00 Annually
Rehabilitation Counselor I Salary:
$29.70 - $35.96 Hourly
$2,376.00 - $2,877.16 Biweekly
$5,148.00 - $6,233.85 Monthly
$61,776.00 - $74,808.00 Annually

The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) assists people with disabilities to succeed at work and live independently. We believe that anyone with a disability who wants to work, can work, regardless of the type or severity of their disability. We work closely with a variety of partners and stakeholders, including our vendors, employers, state and federal agencies, and Workforce Centers and Centers for Independent Living. The Division is innovative, always working to improve its services. DVR uses public funds to provide our services, so it is important that this money be used responsibly according to our policy, and state and federal rules and regulations.
Rehabilitation Intern Description of Job:

At the intern level, the incumbent will be provided with consistent training and supervision as an entry-level position in the implementation of the rehabilitation process. The effective implementation of the rehabilitation process includes the following activities:

• Schedules and completes intake process for applicants, including potentially eligible youth, obtain medical, social and vocational history. Analyzes data to determine what further information needs to be collected. Arranges for and schedules general medical examinations, specialty examinations, vocational assessments, psychological testing, etc., requesting existing information where available after securing appropriate release of information forms. Involves and notifies persons we serve of all decisions which affect them and provide them with methods to appeal decisions if there is a disagreement
• Compiles and analyzes gathered data to determine that apparent and suspected disabilities have been identified and evaluated. Uses expertise in areas of medical aspects, vocational and psychological assessment, and knowledge of individual differences to assess limitations, assets, interests and expectations of persons we serve. Synthesizes and interprets all information to develop a written certification of eligibility. Follows up on all recommendations made by physicians, convert and translate data gathered into functional limitations and determine if there is a resultant vocational barrier. Develops the draft eligibility determination including the impediments to employment. Drafts determination of severity of disability and get assistance in placing the person we serve in the proper category of priority. Seeks final review by a qualified Rehabilitation Counselor to complete the Eligibility Determination. Involves and notifies persons of all decisions which affect them and provide them with methods to appeal decisions if there is a disagreement.
• Synthesizes and interprets all information to develop a written comprehensive assessment summary describing the individual's vocational barrier(s) and rehabilitation needs. Counsels with persons we serve and provide vocational guidance to draft a viable Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) that will supply appropriate services to overcome/compensate for vocational barriers and attain employment, maintain employment, and live independently. Seeks guidance and final review by a qualified Rehabilitation Counselor to complete the Individualized Plan for Employment prior to obtaining signature. Consults with and learns from qualified Rehabilitation Counselors to assure that the vocational goal is realistic and suitable. Establishes evaluation criteria for measuring progress toward goal, set time frames and identify service providers. Involves and notifies persons we serve of all decisions which affect them and provides them with methods to appeal decisions if there is a disagreement
• Implements plan for meeting established vocational goals and intermediate objectives. Identifies, coordinates, and authorizes vendors and resources to provide services and goods to meet the individual needs of each person we serve. Rehabilitation Counselor Interns have a lesser authorization amount threshold. Identifies and assigns fiscal responsibility of all involved, including locating comparable benefits, determining ability for financial participation, making written fiscal commitments and applying any cooperative arrangements with other agencies. Involves and notify persons we serve of all decisions which affect them and provide them with methods to appeal decisions if there is a disagreement.
• Works in collaboration with the individual to monitor the provision of services to ensure their quality and effectiveness in meeting the agreed upon vocational goal. Responsible for the financial accountability of services provided as well as assuring that comparable benefits and resources are identified and applied when possible. Ensures that all planned services are provided, determine if new services are needed, and if so, amend the IPE under guidance and approval of certified personnel. Ensures that the person we serve is making satisfactory progress toward identified goals. Involves and notifies persons we serve of all decisions which affect them and provide them with methods to appeal decisions if there is a disagreement. Throughout entirety of each case, manages case effectively to ensure movement through the vocational rehabilitation process; maintain integrity of program, fiscal rules, policy and procedures; follows all areas of due process; and keeps documentation current in each case file.
• Provides services such as job-seeking skills training, and job placement assistance to meet outcomes of IPE. Utilizes knowledge of career pathways, sector strategies and labor market information to assist persons we serve to enter competitive, integrated employment. Ensures that case closure decisions are compliant with policy. Monitors contacts with employers and conduct on-going activity to market employment of persons with disabilities in the community by individual contacts and group presentations. Involves and notifies persons we serve of all decisions which affect them and provide them with methods to appeal decisions if there is a disagreement.
• Develops and coordinates improved interagency practices and procedures that result in the creation of viable career pathways which lead to successful employment outcomes for students, youth with disabilities, and adults. The position involves interacting with local education staff, community system providers, community referral sources and DVR staff to promote VR services and local working agreements.

Rehabilitation Counselor I Description of Job:
The primary focus of the Rehabilitation Counselor I is to assist persons with disabilities to achieve and maintain successful employment outcomes through the application of the rehabilitation process which includes the following tasks and duties:

• Schedules and completes intake process for applicants, including potentially eligible youth, obtain medical, social and vocational history. Analyzes data to determine what further information needs to be collected. Arranges for and schedules general medical examinations, specialty examinations, vocational assessments, psychological testing, etc., requesting existing information where available after securing appropriate release of information forms. Involves and notifies persons we serve of all decisions which affect them and provide them with methods to appeal decisions if there is a disagreement
• Compiles and analyzes gathered data to determine that apparent and suspected disabilities have been identified and evaluated. Uses expertise in areas of medical aspects, vocational and psychological assessment, and knowledge of individual differences to assess limitations, assets, interests and expectations of persons we serve. Synthesizes and interprets all information to develop a written certification of eligibility. Follows up on all recommendations made by physicians, convert and translate data gathered into functional limitations and determine if there is a resultant vocational barrier. Develops eligibility determination including the impediments to employment. Makes determination of severity of disability and places the person we serve in the proper category of priority. Involves and notifies persons of all decisions which affect them and provide them with methods to appeal decisions if there is a disagreement.
• Synthesizes and interprets all information to develop a written comprehensive assessment summary describing the individual's vocational barrier(s) and rehabilitation needs. Counsels with persons we serve and provide vocational guidance to determine a viable Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) that will supply appropriate services to overcome/compensate for vocational barriers and attain employment, maintain employment, and live independently. Assures that the vocational goal is realistic and suitable. Establishes evaluation criteria for measuring progress toward goal, set time frames and identify service providers. Involves and notifies persons we serve of all decisions which affect them and provides them with methods to appeal decisions if there is a disagreement
• Implements plan for meeting established vocational goals and intermediate objectives. Identifies, coordinates, and authorizes vendors and resources to provide services and goods to meet the individual needs of each person we serve. Identifies and assigns fiscal responsibility of all involved, including locating comparable benefits, determining ability for financial participation, making written fiscal commitments and applying any cooperative arrangements with other agencies. Involves and notify persons we serve of all decisions which affect them and provide them with methods to appeal decisions if there is a disagreement.
• Works in collaborat...