What you will be doing:
As a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor 2/3 you will manage a caseload and provide vocational rehabilitation counseling to consumers with disabilities to support them in obtaining and maintaining competitive, integrated employment. The level of independence you employ, and the complexity of the cases you encounter, increases as you progress through the counselor series.

Our organization, mission, and culture:
The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation helps hundreds of Alaskans with disabilities prepare for, get and keep good jobs. You will be working with a dedicated team of professionals who have a sincere commitment to assisting individuals with disabilities obtain employment.

DVR is committed to the principle that employment equals empowerment for Alaskans with disabilities. DVR employees have specialized education and certifications unique to their jobs, resulting in longevity of staff.

The benefit of joining our team:
This position is essential within the Division and progression through the counseling series is expected. As such, obtaining and/or maintaining a CRC is required and supported by the Division.

The working conditions you can expect:
These position(s) are located in the Anchorage and Eagle River Counseling Region's main office (located in Anchorage) with approximately ten to twelve employees at any given time. Consumers are served directly out of this office. You will have a significant amount of autonomy in scheduling your day and managing your workflow. The office operates during regular business hours (8-5), with flexibility within those hours and the ability for telework at times once permanent status is obtained.

Who we are looking for:
To be successful in this position a candidate will need the following core competencies:

• Planning and Evaluating: Organizes work, sets priorities, and determines resource requirements; determines short- or long-term goals and strategies to achieve them; coordinates with other organizations or parts of the organization to accomplish goals; monitors progress and evaluates outcomes.
• Problem Solving: Identifies and analyzes problems; weighs relevance and accuracy of information; generates and evaluates alternative solutions; makes recommendations.
• Interpersonal Skills: Shows understanding, friendliness, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness to others; develops and maintains effective relationships with others; may include effectively dealing with individuals who are difficult, hostile, or distressed; relates well to people from varied backgrounds and different situations; is sensitive to cultural diversity, race, gender, disabilities, and other individual differences.
• Flexibility: Is open to change and new information; adapts behavior or work methods in response to new information, changing conditions, or unexpected obstacles; effectively deals with ambiguity
• Psychology: Knowledge of the concepts, principles, and theories of human behavior and performance in various contexts, mental processes, or the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.

Minimum Qualifications

Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor 2:
A master’s degree from an accredited college in vocational rehabilitation, psychology, social work, guidance counseling, special education, or a closely related counseling discipline, which includes coursework on the Theories and Techniques of Counseling.

AND
One year of developmental professional vocational counseling experience. This experience is met by service as a VRC I with the SOA or the equivalent with another employer.

Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor 3:
Same Qualifications as VRC II plus a Certification in Rehabilitation Counseling (CRC) from the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification.

AND
One year of journey professional vocational counseling experience. This experience is met by service as a VRC II with the SOA or the equivalent with another employer.

Additional Required Information

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS
Applicants must demonstrate their skill and/or experience in their responses to the supplemental questions. Please make sure to answer the supplemental questions as thoroughly as possible. Your responses must be supported by your application. Please see the "QUESTIONS" tab at the top of this bulletin to preview the supplemental questions.

COVER LETTER
In addition to answering the supplemental question regarding how you meet the minimum qualifications for this position, applicants are ALSO required to attach a cover letter to be considered for this position. Applicants who do not attach the required cover letter will not advance to the interview phase of this recruitment. The cover letter is used as a writing sample. Applicants are advised to pay particular attention to spelling, punctuation, and grammar.

Your cover letter must provide the following information:

• The cover letter must describe how you possess the core competencies required for this position as they pertain to the bulleted points in the job description above. Give specific examples to demonstrate your experience.
• The cover letter must describe how you meet the minimum qualifications for the position.
• The cover letter must be in standard business format.

Please attach the cover letter to your application before submitting it online or, if unable to attach to your application, email it to the contact provided in the job posting (if email is not an option, please call the contact person to obtain a fax number). Your cover letter will be used to help determine which applicants will advance to the interview phase of the recruitment and selection process.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED AT THE TIME OF INTERVIEW

• Transcripts from post secondary institution.
• Copy of Certification in Rehabilitation Counseling (CRC) if applying at the VRC III level.
• A list of three (3) professional references, one of which should be your most recent supervisor, including name, job title, employer and current phone number(s).
• A copy of your last three (3) performance evaluations, or two (2) letters of reference if evaluations are unavailable.
• A copy of your CRC if applying for the VRC III level.

APPLICATION NOTICE
You can ONLY apply for this position through the Workplace Alaska website or via hardcopy application. If you accessed this recruitment bulletin through a job search portal such as AlaskaJobs or any other database, you MUST use a Workplace Alaska online or hardcopy application to successfully apply. Instructions on how to apply with Workplace Alaska may be found on the Workplace Alaska "How to Apply" webpage, found here: http://doa.alaska.gov/dop/workplace/help/

Omission of any required documentation listed will result in an incomplete application and you will not receive further consideration. If you’re experiencing problems attaching to your application, or if you simply had forgotten, you may email it to the contact provided below before 5:00 pm of the closing date. Any documents submitted after the posting has closed will not be considered.

EDUCATION
If post-secondary education is required to meet the minimum qualifications, you must fill in the Education section of the application. If you have not obtained a degree, please indicate the number of units completed. Copies of transcripts are required to verify educational credentials if used to meet the minimum qualifications for a position. Transcripts must be attached at the time of application or submitted to the contact information below prior to the close of recruitment. If you’re unable to attach to your application, email it to the contact provided in the job posting. If email is not an option, please call the contact person to obtain a fax number.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR FOREIGN EDUCATION
Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above requirements, if applicable. If utilizing this education you must show that the education credentials have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and that such education has been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs; or an accredited U.S. state university reports the other institution as one whose transcript is given full value, or full value is given in subject areas applicable to the curricula at the state university. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.

WORK EXPERIENCE
If using work experience not already documented in your application, also provide the employer name, your job title, dates of employment, and whether full-or part-time. Applications will be reviewed to determine if the responses are supported and minimum qualifications are clearly met. If they are not, the applicant may not advance to the interview and selection phase of the recruitment.

Note: Attaching a resume is not an alternative to filling out the application in its entirety. Noting, “see resume” or any similar response on any portion of your application may lead to a determination that your application is incomplete and removal from consideration for this job posting.

BARGAINING UNIT
If you are a current state employee, please mark the union you are a member of at the time of application. If you are not a current state employee, you MUST mark that it does not apply to you.

MULTIPLE VACANCIES
This recruitment may be used for more than one (1) vacancy. The applicant pool acquired during this recruitment may be used for future vacancies for up to ninety (90) days after this recruitment closes. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply to each recruitment notice to ensure consideration for all vacancies.

NOTICE
Questions regarding the application process can be directed to the Workplace Alaska hotline at 800-587-0430 (toll free) or (907) 465- 4095. If you choose to be contacted by email, please ensure your email address is correct on your application and that the spam filter will permit email from the 'govermentjobs.com' domains. For information on allowing emails from the 'governmentjobs.com' domains, visit the Lost Password Help page located at
https://www.governmentjobs.com/OnlineApplication/User/ResetPassword

EEO STATEMENT
The State of Alaska complies with Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Individuals with disabilities, who require accommodation, auxiliary aides or services, or alternative communication formats, please call 1-800-587-0430 or (907) 465-4095 in Juneau or TTY: Alaska Relay 711 or 1-800-770-8973 or correspond with the Division of Personnel & Labor Relations at: P.O. Box 110201, Juneau, AK 99811-0201. The State of Alaska is an equal opportunity employer.

WORKPLACE ALASKA APPLICATION QUESTIONS & ASSISTANCE
Questions regarding application submission or system operation errors should be directed to the Workplace Alaska hotline at 1-800-587-0430 (toll free) or (907) 465-4095 if you are located in the Juneau area. Requests for information may also be emailed to:
recruitment.services@alaska.gov

For applicant password assistance please visit:
https://www.governmentjobs.com/js_lostpswd.cfm?&topheader=alaska

Contact Information

Kathryn Duder, Regional Manager
Phone: (907) 269-3581
Fax: (907) 269-2056
kathryn.duder@alaska.gov

The following information describes typical benefits available to employees of the State of Alaska. Actual benefits received may differ by bargaining unit or branch of government, position type, or be prorated for other than full time work.

For a quick breakdown of the insurance, health, and retirement benefits available for State Employees you can view an orientation video from Division of Retirement and Benefits. (Please note this video is specifically designed for new State Employees.)

Insurance Benefits

• Health insurance, which includes employer contributions toward medical/vision/dental
  • The following employee groups are under AlaskaCare Benefits administered by the State: See http://doa.alaska.gov/drb/programs/index.html for additional information.
    • AVTEC
    • Confidential
    • Correctional Officers
    • Marine Engineers
    • Mt. Edgecumbe Teachers
    • Supervisory
    • Unlicensed Vessel Personnel/Inland Boatman's Union
    • Exempt employees (not covered by collective bargaining)
  • The following employee groups are covered by Union health trusts. Contact the appropriate Union for additional information.
    • General Government
    • Labor, Trades and Crafts
    • Public Safety Employees Association
    • Masters, Mates & Pilots
• Employer paid Basic Life insurance with additional coverage available (amount depends on Bargaining Unit)

• Group-based insurance premiums for
  • Term life (employee, spouse or qualified same sex partner, and dependents)
  • Long-term and short-term disability
  • Accidental Death and Dismemberment
  • Long-term care (self and eligible family members)
  • Supplemental Survivor Benefits
• Employee-funded flexible spending accounts for tax savings on eligible health care or dependent care expenses

Retirement Benefits

• Membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)/Teachers' Retirement System (TRS)
• Matching employer contribution into a defined contribution program (new employees)
• Employer contribution into a defined benefit or defined contribution program (current employees)
• Contributions to the Alaska Supplemental Annuity Plan in lieu of contributions to Social Security
• Option to enroll in the Alaska Deferred Compensation Program
• Note: The Defined Contribution Plan, Supplemental Annuity Plan and Deferred Compensation Program offer a variety of investment options

Paid Leave & Other Benefits

• Personal leave with an accrual rate increase based on time served
• Eleven paid holidays a year
• Gym discounts at participating fitness providers in multiple locations throughout the state.

See http://doa.alaska.gov/drb/ghlb/employee/health/gymListing.html for additional information