Title: Employment Services Specialist Senior - #ARS00784

State Role Title: Direct Service Associate III

Hiring Range: Starting minimum $41,756 commensurate with experience.

Pay Band: 3

Agency: Dept for Aging & Rehab Svcs

Location: Aging & Rehab Svcs

Agency Website: https://www.dars.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Join us as an Employment Services Specialist Senior and help individuals with disabilities achieve meaningful employment and brighter futures.

Why Join Us?
✅ Purpose-driven work
✅ Inclusive, supportive teams
✅ Great state benefits

Job Duties:

“Telework is limited in accordance with the Commonwealth’s telework policy.”

In partnership with people with disabilities, the DRS Field Rehabilitation Services Division assists individuals with disabilities to make informed choices that will maximize their employment through coordinated service delivery. DRS staff will assist the Workforce Network to deliver quality workforce services to individuals with disabilities who want to work and employers seeking to hire them to the extent that this provides benefit to the DRS program.

We are seeking a Employment Services Specialist Senior provides case management assistance with comprehensive vocational rehabilitation services that result in employment and enhanced independent living. To meet the expectations of the Employment Services Specialist Senior, the incumbent must have access to personally identifiable and confidential information about agency consumers and/or agency staff.

Duties include but are not limited to:

• Caseload Management Support
• Employment Services 
• Case Documentation
• Knowledge of Community Resources

This position has daily contact with customers to provide assistance with vocational rehabilitation services. The position interacts with employers to provide employer services to include information about rehabilitation technology, job accommodations and consultation as well as referral of qualified applicants for open positions. They interact with the public for the purpose of education and awareness about the agency, marketing agency services and in dealing with referrals. They deal with other service providers such as Employment Service Organizations and Educational organizations, regarding coordination of services and consultations about customers.

Other duties and/or special projects as assigned.
Completes duties and/or projects as needed or directed by supervisor.

Minimum Qualifications:

Knowledge/Experience:

• Experience in human service delivery methods. 
• Considerable working knowledge of the social, economic, medical, and psychological factors that impact individuals with disabilities. 
• Considerable working knowledge of interviewing, evaluation, and counseling techniques, as well as methods and tools used for career counseling and exploration. 
• Working knowledge of ADA compliance requirements. 
• Working knowledge of Windows based computer software or comparable word processing programs.

Skills/Abilities:

• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with individuals from varying social and economic environments; to communicate effectively orally and in writing; ability to interpret and apply established policies and procedures in the provision of services; to monitor employment opportunities through contacts with businesses and other organizations within the community; to organize and manage multiple and sometimes unrelated responsibilities in a timely manner; to prioritize duties and exercise good judgement following established policy and procedures; interviewing and data collection techniques. 
• Demonstrated ability to facilitate group activities related to employment preparation and career readiness.
  
  

Additional Considerations:

N/A

Special Instructions:

• This position has been designated a sensitive position under Va. Code § 2.2 1201.1. 
• A fingerprint based criminal history check will be required of the finalist.

Benefits:

DARS offers a comprehensive benefits package to include your choice of health insurance plans, flexible spending accounts, VRS retirement, employer paid basic group life insurance, employee paid optional group life, 13 paid holidays, Sick Leave, Annual Leave, Family Personal Leave, employee discount programs, and much more!

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during the application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact recruitment@dars.virginia.gov for assistance.

Minorities, Individuals with disabilities, Veterans, AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other National Service Alumni are encouraged to apply.

To Apply:

Equal Opportunity Employer State applications will only be accepted as submitted online by 11:55 p.m. on the closing date through the Commonwealth of Virginia’s New Recruitment Management System. Mailed, emailed, faxed, or hand delivered applications and/or résumés will not be accepted. PageUp will provide you with confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé are submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

Contact Information:

Name: Human Resources

Email: Recruitment@dars.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.