Travel is Required - valid unrestricted drivers license is required
Incumbent may at times transport Veterans in the provision of Vocational Services and must pass a driving physical.

The Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist position is located at St. Cloud VA, in the Mental Health Service Line, within Vocational Rehabilitation Services program; assigned vocational rehabilitation duties throughout the hospital, its clinics, and within the community.

This is an Open Continuous Announcement. The first review/referral of applications will occur 15 business days after the opening of this announcement; after this date applicants will be reviewed as they are received.

VRS may be assigned to Transitional Work, Supported Employment, or Community Based Employment Services programs within Compensated Work Therapy (CWT).

Primary Purpose: The Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist (VRS) provides therapeutic services to Veterans
whose employability or job adjustment is impaired by physical, mental, emotional or other disability, or by
lack of basic education or job skills. The focus of services will be to promote optimal occupational
functioning of Veterans within the community by utilizing appropriate interventions that achieve the
vocational goals on the Veteran's Individual Employment Plan (IEP).
The VRS will independently carry out a wide range of cases involving special procedures. These
cases may require more intensive and extensive knowledge of disabilities or of other employment
handicaps, and of occupational information, in relation to the more complicated problems involved in the
training and job placement of the severely handicapped. They apply highly specialized knowledge of the
situation, the skill requirements, and the job demands, to estimate the probable success that the
handicapped individual will have in completing a training program and in being placed in employment in a
particular occupation.

The VRS also works closely with members of the interdisciplinary team including Physicians, Vocational
Rehabilitation Counselors, Therapists, Social Workers, and other care providers within the facility and in the
community.

MAJOR DUTIES:
The VRS determines the vocational goals and objectives of the Veteran based on referral from a
professional staff member and by interviewing the Veteran. The VRS also determines the areas of vocational
interests, and decides what services such as job seeking skills training, resume development, or interview
skills training the Veteran may require in order to successfully obtain suitable employment. Training
need determinations are difficult, as requirements that meet the Veteran's vocational goals and objectives
are not available in standard vocational or training programs. Determinations require the VRS to analyze
mental and physical disabilities or other handicaps, in terms of the practical effects of such handicaps on
motivations, adjustment to training, and difficulty in employment placement.

The VRS counsels and guides Veterans through difficult transition in the adjustment to employment. Will
help the employer or site supervisor understand the nature of the Veteran's limitations while maintaining a
positive impression of the Veteran's capability of success. The specialist evaluates the results of the program, professionally advocates for recommended changes and reports program progress in accordance with established procedure.

The specialist is typically involved in more difficult emotional and economic problems. Great skill and knowledge are required to encourage and motivate the individual to become self-sufficient. Cases can become long-term, and the VRS may be the primary point of contact between the Veteran and the agency during these periods of time that can continue for several years, particularly for those participating in Supported Employment.

The VRS may coordinate with various resources to locate potential employment and training (TW) sites in the
community that will be specifically suitable from the standpoint of the particular needs and problems of the
individual. The established programs require significant modification to accommodate the Veteran's severe
limitations. The specialist finds suitable employment opportunities, monitors placement, and promotes successful adjustment. The incumbent is knowledgeable about the impact of work efforts on various forms of disability income and of the available resources to minimize and manage risks to the Veteran. If the Veteran agrees to disclose, the incumbent helps the employer to understand the nature of the Veteran's limitations while maintaining a positive impression of the Veteran's capability to succeed. The specialist may handle difficult placement cases. Some cases will require substantial modification to environmental demands. Cases demand considerable ingenuity and persuasiveness on the part of the specialist to meet the limitations.

Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level.

Work Schedule: Monday- Friday 7:30a.m. - 4:00p.m.

Position Description/PD#: PDOCA-90457-A and PDOCA-90468-A

Travel is Required - Disregard the note below, valid unrestricted drivers license is required

Travel Required

Not required