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This is a professional class for positions that conduct comprehensive vocational evaluations in order to determine the needs, limitations, and vocational potential of individuals with physical, mental, and/or emotional disabilities. Positions in this class provide a wide range of comprehensive, systematic, objective testing, analysis and assessment services for specific disability populations such as spinal cord and head injured, learning disabled, deaf, visually handicapped, mentally retarded, long-term mentally ill, end 'tine multiple disabled, according to individual disabilities and needs; and make recommendations for services that will enable the clients to become gainfully employed or otherwise reach full potential. Provides vocational guidance and counseling services in career exploration, work related behaviors, elimination of barriers to employment and other vocational areas for the purpose of making a reliable rehabilitation prediction, developing job-seeking skills, personal management, and/or vocational objectives. The work is typically performed in an evaluation center, facility setting, or field location. This class is distinguished from the Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor class by its responsibility for focusing on individual diagnostic vocational assessment and evaluation rather than focusing on the delivery of individualized rehabilitation programs.

Complexity of Work: Performs work of moderate difficulty which involves planning and conducting vocational evaluations for individuals with physical, mental, and/or emotional disabilities. Assesses an individual’s vocational potential and interests; achievement levels; academic and intellectual skills; functioning, coping, and work abilities; and physical capabilities through the use of in-depth interviews, real or simulated work sample tasks, clinical behavioral observations, and a wide variety of standardized psychometric/psychological testing instruments and methods.

Determines testing needs and methods for diagnostic and prognostic data; administers and interprets psychometric and occupational tests; develops and modifies testing instruments and methodologies to meet specialized client needs; observes, records, and interprets client behaviors and performances as they relate to the job market; and provides specialized vocational guidance and counseling to identify job interests and to help attain job-seeking skills. Analyzes client personal, work, and economic history; medical, educational, social and/or psychological data; and physical strengths and barriers to employment in order to assist in determining viable vocational alternatives. Develops comprehensive and integrative reports of findings and recommendations in the development of individualized vocational goals, objectives, plans, and additional service needs to determine job placement and to teach selective skills and/or behaviors. Researches occupational information including job codes, industrial classifications, worker functions and definitions; performs job analysts by interviewing employers/employees and gathering information related to specific work and identifies work tasks, physical demands, job requirements, training and environmental conditions; and documents information in a written report. Follows up with clients and counselors to assess needs and see if recommendations require revision in order to better meet the individual's needs. May serve as a consultant or witness to referral sources, job placement staff, employers, and medical and legal personnel.

Supervision Given: Supervision is typically not a factor.

Supervision Received: Receives directions from a Rehabilitation Program Supervisor or other higher level program manager/administrator. Considerable independence is allowed in the completion of overall client evaluations in accordance with agency guidelines and directives, and vocational evaluation standards.

Scope: Work affects the quality and accuracy of vocational rehabilitation evaluation services provided to clients; clients’ long-term vocational planning; and the welfare of clients and their families. Work also affects the agency’s mission to successfully rehabilitate clients efficiently, appropriately, and in accordance with each individual's needs.

Impact of Actions: Effective job performance results in accurate client assessments and sound recommendations which provide comprehensive information used by Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors; and in long-term gains to the department which include increased program capacity, reduction in costs, and greater caseload control. Ineffective decisions can be costly in terms of time, money, services, and agency integrity. Inaccurate rehabilitation evaluations and recommendations can have a negative impact on clients, families and employers.

Personal Contacts: Frequent internal and external contacts with referral sources, school systems, medical personnel, private and public employers, and Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors to schedule clients, obtain and provide relevant information, discuss assessment results, and respond to questions about job placement and specific occupations; with clients and family members to obtain, provide and clarify information related to the vocational evaluations and recommendations; and with community agencies regarding available services. Infrequent contact with legal personnel involved in worker's compensation cases, fair hearings and insurance matters.

Knowledge: Working knowledge of the characteristics of physical, mental, and/or emotional disabilities sufficient to select appropriate assessment devices, techniques, and work samples. Working knowledge of a broad range of occupations and occupational requirements; the regional employment market; and job analysis techniques. Working knowledge of counseling and interviewing techniques; testing and evaluation systems and techniques; human behavior; community resources; applicable medical terms; and the effects of disabilities in relation to Job related activities.

Skills: Working skill in the demonstration of testing devices and reassembling of work sample parts.

Abilities: Demonstrated ability to select, administer, and interpret assessment tools, techniques and work samples which address intelligence, academic achievement levels, aptitude, interests, physical capabilities, and related knowledge, skills, and abilities; to interpret results and make sound recommendations regarding the vocational rehabilitation needs of clients; to relate to a variety of disabled populations; to design new or modify

existing assessment techniques and instruments; to make valid independent decisions and observations regarding a client’s ability to adapt or function in multiple areas including a training and/or work program; to write concise and comprehensive vocational evaluation reports; and to represent the agency professionally.

QUALIFICATIONS GUIDE*

License or Certification: None.

Education or Training: Graduation from an accredited college or university with course work in vocational evaluation, psychology, counseling, occupational therapy, education or a related field.

Level and Type of Experience: Experience working with the disabled; and utilizing assessment instruments, vocational evaluations, and counseling techniques.

An equivalent combination of training and experience indicating possession of the preceding knowledge and abilities may substitute for this education and experience.

This class was revised in December 1988 as a result of the statewide Classification Review/Specification Update Program.