Vocational Specialist

Position Summary:

Responsible for conducting vocational assessments, developing individualized education and employment plans, and providing targeted vocational counseling and job readiness training to address the unique needs and barriers faced by justice-involved individuals. The Vocational Specialist collaborates with program participants to identify vocational interests, strengths, and goals, while also addressing any skill gaps or employment-related challenges and will assist participants in obtaining GED and other vocational training as requested.

Essential Job Functions:

• Prepare lesson plans, administer Interest Inventories and other appropriate testing/screening/assessment tools, and instruct adults in vocational skills, Including Interviewing, resume writing, work behaviors, work skills, etc.
• Evaluate and monitor clients' vocational/occupational skills performance.
• Assist clients in securing and maintaining employment. Assist clients who are disabled and cannot work in securing volunteer positions as appropriate.
• Work with outside agencies, local businesses, schools to coordinate further training or job placement.
• Work with local employers, Chamber of Commerce, Vocational Rehabilitation, and other groups to develop appropriate community employment positions.
• Complete documentation of services on provided forms in a timely manner.
• Provide input into the patient's treatment service needs and disposition.
• Assist other WestCare staff as needed in a collaborative manner to promote cooperation and portray a professional Image to the community.
• Embrace and embody the mission, vision, guiding principles, clinical vision and goals of WestCare Foundation.

Essential Qualifications:

Certifications/Licensures:

• None required for this position.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in Education. Two or three (2-3) years of experience in vocational counseling, career counseling, workforce development, or related fields, preferably working with people involved in justice, people with disabilities, or marginalized populations. Experience in vocational assessment, job placement and vocational training programs is highly desirable.

Experience and Competencies:

• 1+ years’ experience in a similar capacity; experience working with justice-involved individuals.
• Familiar with standard concepts, practices, and procedures within the vocational counseling field.
• Ability to work collaboratively with others in a manner that is pleasant and professional.
• Ability to work well in a team environment.
• Ability to exercise good judgment and discretion.
• Ability to operate a computer and complete documents in Microsoft Office formats or the ability to learn.
• Ability to respond as needed to crisis situations in an efficient manner.
• Ability to complete work tasks within scheduled work hours.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Basic knowledge of mental health conditions
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build trusting relationships with clients.
• Understanding of the concepts of mutual support, shared responsibility, and personal growth.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Ability to remain calm and act quickly in high-stress situations.
• Adherence to the highest standard of ethical conduct, especially to standards governing confidentiality.
• Professional appearance and demeanor.
• Must be culturally/linguistically sensitive to populations served.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to obtain and maintain WestCare’s vehicle insurance is required.

Working Conditions:

• Work is primarily performed in an office or residential treatment setting; and
• Work is performed primarily in a professional, office setting.
• Regular attendance is required. Working overtime is required and essential to perform job duties at times.
• Some outdoor activities may be required.

Essential Physical and Mental Demands of the Job

The employee must be able to perform the following essential duties and activities with or

without accommodation:

Physical Demands:

• Requires mobility and physical activity: Having an adequate range of body motion and mobility to work in an office, residential, or outdoor environment including standing and walking (even and uneven surfaces), sitting and walking for extended periods of time, bending, twisting, reaching, balancing, occasional lifting and carrying of up to 50 pounds.  Use of computer and telephone systems is required which includes coordination of eye and hand, and fine manipulation by the hands (typing, writing, and working with files).  Requires the ability to defend oneself and clients in physically abusive situations using approved physical de-escalation techniques.
• Requires talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word.  Talking is required to impart oral information to employees, clients, patients, and the public, and in those activities in which the employee is required to convey detailed or important spoken instructions to others accurately, loudly, or quickly.
• Requires hearing: Hearing is required to receive and communicate detailed information through oral communication.
• Requires seeing: Clarity of vision at 20 inches or less and at distance. This factor is required to complete paperwork for many of the employee’s essential job functions and to observe client behavior and activities in and out of the facility.

• The normal work routine involves no exposure to human blood, body fluids or tissues.  However, exposure or potential exposure may be required as a condition of employment. Appropriate personal protective equipment will be readily available to every employee.

Mental Demands:

• Requires the ability to collect and analyze complex numerical and written data and verbal information to reach logical conclusions.
• Requires the ability to work and cooperate with clients, co-workers, managers, the public and employees at all levels in order to exchange ideas, information, instructions and opinions. 
• Requires the ability to work under stress and in emotionally charged settings.
• The ability to defend oneself and clients in mentally/verbally abusive situations through the use of approved mental/verbal de-escalation techniques.