Vocational Specialist

Position Summary:

Person in this position will be responsible for the delivery of vocational and educational guidance to clients participating in the program. Essential Job Functions include those listed below.

Essential Job Functions:

• Work directly with counselors and clients in the development of Vocational Plans;
• Provide educational and vocational guidance to clients participating in the program;
• Provide in-service training and workshops for all staff and clients including development of community resources, job seeking skills classes, labor market research, career planning, and resume preparation and interview techniques;
• Promote and develop employment and on-the-job training opportunities for exoffenders and substance abusers;
• Develop relationships with large and small employers, become familiar with and their products and human resource needs using a businesslike approach;
• Participate in community advisory groups that assist with return to work programs;
• Demonstrate knowledge of financial benefits for employers if they hire an ex-felon;
• Assist employers in revising standards that exclude applicants from jobs;
• Demonstrate to employers the cost effectiveness and profitability of employing chronically unemployed by identifying jobs those workers could perform;
• Obtain job orders, arrange interviews, and provide follow up and feedback to the parties;
• Embrace and embody the mission, vision, guiding principles, clinical vision and goals of WestCare Foundation; and
• Perform any other duties as assigned.

Essential Qualifications:

Certifications/Licenses:

• Certification as a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor is preferred;

Education:

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college with a degree in Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling, Social Work or another related field is preferred; or
• A combination of experience and education combined.

Experience and Competencies:

• One (1) year experience in vocational counseling, job development, group facilitation and employment services;
• Knowledge of labor market research, vocational assessment, career planning and human resource management;
• Knowledge of offender populations, criminal subcultures, and cultural differences, substance abuse assessment tools, therapeutic community concepts is preferred;
• Excellent communication skills;
• Attention to detail;
• Ability to work well in a team environment;
• Superior organizational skills;
• Strong computer skills, to encompass all Microsoft Office applications;
• Ability to exercise good judgment and discretion;
• Ability to work well in a team environment;
• 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;
• Ability to obtain and maintain clearance from California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR);
• Ability to obtain and maintain clearance from LEIE, MSIL, and EPLS;
• Valid drivers license and ability to obtain and maintain WestCares vehicle insurance is required;
• Must be able to obtain and maintain Fresno County Credentialing; and
• CPR Certification, First Aid Certification and an annual Tuberculosis test.
• As mandated by the State of California those employees who work at Residential, Outpatient, Sober Living, provide Mental Health Services, Administrative Staff or Transitional Living Facilities must be fully vaccinated and have received a booster. Employees that have requested a Medical or Religious Exemption, which has been approved by Human Resources will be required to test for the virus weekly.
• During your tenure with WestCare there may be new requirements, including, but not limited to vaccinations that are issued by local, State, Federal, and/or Funders that WestCare may have to comply with. Should this occur Human Resources or appropriate personnel will inform you.

Working Conditions:

• Work is primarily performed in an office or residential treatment setting; and
• 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 for extended periods of time, bending, twisting, reaching, balancing, occasional lifting and carrying of up to 10 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 through the use of 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 employees 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 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 using approved mental/verbal de-escalation techniques.