Independent Living Counselor

Title: Independent Living Counselor

Location: Buncombe County United States

Hybrid

Full time

Job Description:

Agency

Dept of Health and Human Services

Division

Blind Services

Job Classification Title

Rehabilitation Counselor (S)

About Us

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is one of the largest, most complex agencies in the state, and has approximately 17,000 employees. It is responsible for ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of all North Carolinians, providing human service needs for special populations including individuals who are deaf, blind, developmentally disabled, and mentally ill, and helping poor North Carolinians achieve economic independence.

Description of Work

The Independent Living Rehabilitation Counselor (ILRC) serves individuals who are visually impaired, blind or deaf-blind who need individualized services to maintain independence in the home and/or community. A majority of individuals requiring services are over the age of 55. Services provided by this program assist individuals with adapting to sensory loss to reduce a sense of isolation, increase the ability to engage in meaningful activities and reduce the risk of injuries, depression and nursing home placement.

Job duties include but are not limited to:

• Conduct outreach in the community to identify individuals in need of program services.
• Complete a comprehensive assessment of each applicant for services.
• Interpret eye reports to determine the level of visual impairment and to assist with planning appropriate services.
• Determine eligibility for services
• In collaboration with the client, develop a service plan which includes specific independent living objectives.
• Provide guidance and counseling throughout the case management process.
• Make referrals to agency internal staff for specialized services, to other agency programs, including Vocational Rehabilitation, and to external resources needed for the achievement of planned goals.
• Provide instruction on basic daily living skills tasks both one-on-one and in group settings. Instruction areas include but are not limited to basic adaptive technology, cooking, personal care and communications.
• Manage a budget and ensure expenditure meets policy guidelines.
• Hire and train vendors to serve as Daily Living Skills Instructors.
• Coordinate in-person or virtual group training.
• Develop and maintain relationships with community partners in order to best serve clients.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

Salary Grade Range $41,655 - $72,897

Recruitment Range $41,655 - $63,000

Position is eligible for a hybrid-teleworking schedule to include weekly onsite work hours

Candidates now meet the minimum qualifications of a position if they meet the minimum education and experience listed on the vacancy announcement.

The Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)/ Management Preferences are not required. Applicants who possess the following skills are preferred:

• Knowledge of or experience in case management

• Knowledge of or experience working with people with disabilities

• Knowledge of or experience working with a team of professionals to help a client meet a goal

This position is funded in part through Federal Funds

Physical Requirements:

Light work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. The use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for sedentary work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for light work.

About the NC Division of Services for the Blind (DSB):

The Division of Services for the Blind provides services to people who are visually impaired, blind and deaf- blind to help them reach their goals of independence and employment.

Compensation & Benefits:

The State of North Carolina offers excellent comprehensive benefits. Employees can participate in health insurance options, standard and supplemental retirement plans, and the NCFlex program (numerous high-quality, low-cost benefits on a pre-tax basis). Employees also receive paid vacation, sick, and community service leave. In addition, paid parental leave is available to eligible employees.

Supplemental and Contact Information

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is an Equal Opportunity Employer that embraces an Employment First philosophy, which consists of complying with all federal laws, state laws, and Executive Orders. We are committed to reviewing requests for reasonable accommodation at any time during the hiring process or while on the job. For more information about DHHS: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/.

DHHS uses the Merit-Based Recruitment and Selection Plan to fill positions subject to the State Human Resources Act with the most qualified individuals. Hiring salary will be based on relevant qualifications, internal equity, and budgetary considerations pertinent to the advertised position.

In accordance with the Governor's Executive Order 303, our agency supports second-chance employment for individuals who were previously incarcerated or justice-involved. We invite all potential applicants to apply for positions for which they may be qualified.

Minimum Education and Experience

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an "equivalent combination of education and experience." If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.

Minimum Education and Experience

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an "equivalent combination of education and experience." If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.

• Master's degree in rehabilitation counseling from an appropriately accredited institution; or

• Master's degree in a related human services field from an appropriately accredited institution; or

• Current certification as a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor by the Commission of Rehabilitation Counselor Certification.

EEO Statement

The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.