**POSITION DESCRIPTION**

# VOCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST GS-1715

I.  **[PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES]{.underline}**

**PRIMARY PURPOSE:** The Employment Specialist carries out all duties
related to attaining and maintaining competitive employment for veterans
living with sever and prolonged mental illnesses who are assigned to his
/her caseload through the Supported Employment Service in the Veterans
Industries Program. The Supported Employment Project is a national pilot
project closely monitored by the VHA's North East Program Evaluation
Center (NEPEC) in West Haven, Connecticut. The focus of Supportive
Employment initiative is to promote optimal occupational functioning of
clients who have psychosis within the community. This goal is
accomplished in the context of prescribed job development interventions
specified in the veteran's treatment plan. All duties performed should
be consistent with the individual treatment plan and coordinated through
and with the clinical team.

The Employment Specialist is assigned to the Behavioral Health Care
Line, but is under the clinical and administrative supervision of the
Supervisor of the Vocational Rehabilitation Program.

He/she collects and organizes data on veterans served as required by the
NEPEC, and the Behavioral Health Care Line Management.

Provides services to individuals whose employability or job adjustment
is impaired by a physical, mental, emotional or other disability, or by
a lack of basic education and job skills.

Coordinates with various resources to find, evaluate and select an
appropriate employment setting and sets up or negotiates a placement
that satisfies the client's specified goals.

**[ASSISTS CLIENTS IN OBTAINING EMPLOYMENT:]{.underline} 60 Percent**

Finds suitable employment opportunities, monitors placements, promotes
successful adjustment. Pursues and maintains employer contacts based on
the individual client's interest. Assists clients to expedite making
contact with employers/jobs. Employer contacts can occur through direct
consumer involvement, or advocacy on behalf of the clients, based on the
veteran's treatment plan objectives. Develops strategies to engage
clients who may be reluctant to actively pursue employment or risk a
reduction of benefits. Supports clients in all work related tasks,
including but not limited to: transportation, on the job training,
dealing with co-workers and supervisors, ongoing and follow along
supports, and compliance with specification of appropriate clinical
support(s).

Maintains awareness and fosters community contacts. Keeps alert for job
and small business opportunities. Maintains day-to-day contact with
potential employers, placement personnel, or other likely placement
resources. Approves any new placement facilities proposed. Evaluates the
results of the program and makes sound professional arguments for
recommended changes. Reports program progress to the Vocational
Rehabilitation Services supervisor or the Supported Employment
Trainer/Mentor, in accordance with established procedures.

Networks in the local community with businesses and employers that have
a job lead which are directly related to the interests and desires of
the veteran. Employers may be reluctant to hire a worker who has
psychosis, so considerable persuasion is required to convince them of
the employee\'s ability to contribute and be productive. Pursues
employment contacts and supports clients in the community a minimum of
80 percent of the workweek. Negotiates with employers, when appropriate,
to provide reasonable accommodations to meet the needs of clients, based
on performing a worksite analysis. Facilitates relationships between
clients and co-workers so as to enhance the client's job satisfaction
and build natural supports in the workplace. Troubleshoots problems in
the workplace that may require a vocational rehabilitation specialist to
support the client through a situation related to work performance or
co-worker/supervisor relationships. Develops, maintains, and nurtures
positive employer relationships.

Assignments might include cases where the only means of vocation would
be for the veteran to produce a good or service from his/her home. In
this instance, the specialist must determine the need for the product
and be able to assist in marketing the product.

**[MONITORS CLIENT'S ADJUSTMENT:]{.underline} 25 Percent**

Counsels and guides clients through difficult transitions or rough spots
in their adjustment to their job. The severe limitations of the clients
are more apt to result in greater dependency. Great skill and knowledge
are required to encourage and motivate the individual to become
self-sufficient. Helps the employer understand the nature of the
client\'s limitations while maintaining a positive impression of the
client\'s capacity to succeed. Oversees the adjustment process. Approves
any significant modifications to the placement contract. Evaluates the
results of the program and makes sound professional arguments for
recommended changes. Reports program progress to the supervisor of
Veterans\' Industries in accordance with established procedures.

Participates in team treatment and administrative meetings to be aware
of any clinical concerns and shares strategies, progress, and needed
support with other members of the treatment team.

Contributes actively to the vocational rehabilitation strategies and
supports the plans for all rehab clients served by the team.
Communicates strategies developed to the treatment team.

Delivery of services may occur over an extended period of time, and the
employment specialist is the primary point of contact between the client
and the agency for the duration.

Participates in employment-related training opportunities as offered and
recommended by the supervisor.

Meets with the supervisor or participates in an appropriate supervisory
arrangement, including telephone conferences, to receive
clinical/administrative supervision and support in the implementation of
employment specialist duties within the context of the clinical team.

**[FINDS SUITABLE TRAINING PROGRAMS:]{.underline} 15 Percent**

Coordinates with various resources to locate a training facility in the
community that will be specifically suitable from the standpoint of the
particular needs and problems of the veteran. Based on referrals from a
professional staff member, determines the vocational goals and
objectives of the client. Assesses training needs to meet the client\'s
vocational goals and objectives. Sometimes the training may not be
available in standard vocational or training programs. The demands of
training require the specialist to analyze mental and physical
disabilities or other handicaps, in terms of the practical effects of
such handicaps on motivations, adjustment to training and difficulty in
employment placement. The established programs might require significant
modification to accommodate the client's severe limitations.

**II. [FACTORS:]{.underline}**

**Factor 1-7 1250 Points**

**Knowledge Required by the Position**

Knowledge of the principles, theoretical concepts and practice of
vocational rehabilitation as well as the administrative mechanisms
appropriate to the assignment. Candidates may come from the business
community or from positions in vocational or rehabilitation services
where they have worked closely with employers. The following are main
qualifications for the position: general knowledge and experience in job
development, marketing and securing jobs, ability to contact and work
creatively with community employers, working knowledge of a broad range
of occupations, ability to identify client strengths, interests, skills
and needs, ability to match clients to jobs, ability to identify and
arrange long-term supports to help clients keep jobs, knowledge of
long-term mental illness and impact on vocational functioning. Requires
the ability to select the pertinent techniques for data collection and
to identify aspects of successful program operations that can be used
for improving similar programs. Requires the ability to utilize a
variety of fact-finding techniques. Requires a basic knowledge of the
program objectives of local, state, and federal agencies to insure that
action is appropriate. Candidates for this position must have a positive
attitude toward the mission of providing job development and be able to
withstand rejection by employers who are not sympathetic towards these
goals. They must also be able to communicate with a variety of
professional occupations including, physicians, lawyers, judges, social
service workers, employers, educators and family members. They must be
self-confident and able to articulate the support needed by the veteran
with psychosis to individuals on multi-disciplinary treatment teams.

**Factor 2-4 450 Points**

**Supervisory Controls**

Employee is given assignments with general instructions. The employment
specialist carries out assignments independently and consults with
supervisor and with colleagues in developing knowledge and applying
agency policies and practices to new matters. His/Her work is reviewed
for technical adequacy and conformance with procedures and practices
applicable to the subject.

**Factor 3-3 275 Points**

**Guidelines**

Guidelines are available in the form of written policies, procedures,
and instructions. Consults with supervisors and colleagues in developing
knowledge and applying agency policies and practices to new matters.

**Factor 4-4 225 Points**

**Complexity**

Develops factual data and conducts preliminary screening of proposed
work site. Prepares background data on specific proposals and subjects.
Provides factual information about the case. Conducts intensive review
of position description and matches it with clients' abilities.

Planning employment programs is on an individual basis developing the
training (if necessary) around the residual capacities of the
individual. Cases are further complicated by problems requiring special
services. Cases might call for exploratory training program to determine
the individual\'s work capacity. The specialist makes arrangement for
setting up such programs under carefully controlled conditions.

**Factor 5-3 150 Points**

**Scope and Effect**

The purpose of the work is to apply specialized technical knowledge and
methods related to job development. The work affects the livelihood and
quality of life of individuals and the operation of agency programs.

**Factor 6-3 60 Points**

**Personal Contacts**

Contacts are with numerous clients, employers, professionals and
administrative and managerial staff in same and other agencies.

**Factor 7-3 120 Points**

**Purpose of Contacts**

The purpose of contacts is to persuade individuals and groups with
differing opinions or interests to change criteria or methods, accept
findings, or reach agreement on technical points. Contacts may be
uncooperative, skeptical, or contentious, requiring skill in persuasion,
negotiation, motivation or establishment of rapport.

**Factor 8-1 5 Points**

**Physical Demands**

Although the typical work of a vocational rehabilitation specialist is
primarily sedentary, this position is different because it calls for the
incumbent to actually be able to attend the work place with the veteran
for a limited period of time and, if necessary, perform the job duties
to demonstrate and reinforce them to the veteran. Therefore, lifting up
to 50 pounds, bending, stooping, kneeling, reaching above the head,
standing for long periods or walking long distances and performing
repeated motions may be required. It will all depend on the veteran's
needs, preferences, and job availability.

**Factor 9-1 5 Points**

**Work Environment**

Although the typical work of a vocational rehabilitation specialist is
typically performed in an adequately lighted and climate controlled
office, this position is different because it calls for the incumbent to
actually be able to attend the work place with the veteran for a limited
period of time and if necessary perform the job duties to demonstrate
and reinforce them to the veteran. Therefore, the incumbent may be
required to be in dry, dusty, wet, damp, freezing, sweltering
temperatures and noisy, dimly lit or dark uncontrolled work places.

It is also likely that at times, off-tours will be required in order to
accommodate some veteran\'s working needs. Such might be required if a
veteran client is working an off-shift and the vocational development
specialist must attend with the veteran to assist learning skills while
on the job.

**Other Significant Facts**:

This position requires frequent travel within the community, but on
occasion may take the candidate to Community Based Outpatient Clinics.

**Customer Service:** Meets the needs of customers while supporting VA
missions. Consistently communicates and treats customers (veterans,
their representatives and families, employers, visitors, and all VA
staff) in a courteous, tactful, and respectful manner. Provides the
veteran with consistent information according to established policies
and procedures. Handles conflict and problems in dealing with the
customer constructively and appropriately.

**IDP Security**: Protects printed and electronic files containing
sensitive data in accordance with the provision of the Health Insurance
Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPPA) and other applicable
laws, federal regulations, VA statutes and policy. Protects the data
from unauthorized release or from loss, alteration, or unauthorized
deletion. Follows applicable regulations and instructions regarding
access to computerized files, release of access codes, etc., as set out
in the computer access agreement that the employee signs.

Use MS Word or comparable word processing software to execute several
office automation function such as storing and retrieving electronic
documents and files, activating printers, inserting and deleting text,
formatting letters, reports and memoranda, and transmitting and
receiving e-mail.

Uses the Veterans Health Information & Technology Architecture (Vista)
to access information in the Medical Center Computer System.

The position requires that the incumbent must possess a valid state
driver\'s license.

**ADDENDUM TO POSITION DESCRIPTION**

# VOCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST GS-1715

**Factor 8-1 5 Points**

**Physical Demands**

Although the typical work of a vocational rehabilitation specialist is
primarily sedentary, this position is different because it calls for the
incumbent to actually be able to attend the work place with the veteran
for a limited period of time and if necessary perform the job duties to
demonstrate and reinforce them to the veteran. Therefore, lifting up to
50 pounds, bending, stooping, kneeling, reaching above the head,
standing long periods or walking long distances and performing repeated
motions may be required. It will all depend on the veteran's needs,
preferences and job availability.

# Factor 9-1 5 Points

**Work Environment**

Although the typical work of a vocational rehabilitation specialist is
typically performed in an adequately lighted and climate controlled
office, this position is different because it calls for the incumbent to
actually be able to attend the work place with the veteran for a limited
period of time and if necessary perform the job duties to demonstrate
and reinforce them to the veteran. Therefore, the incumbent may be
required to be in dry, dusty, wet, damp, freezing, sweltering
temperatures and noisy, dimly lit or dark uncontrolled work places.

It is also likely that the Vocational Development Specialist will work
off shift hours on a frequent basis, for which compensated time off will
be awarded. Such might be required if a veteran client is working an
off-shift and the vocational development specialist must attend with the
veteran to assist learning skills while on the job.