Part-Time Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor

Apogee Solutions, a Woman-Owned Small Business, is seeking multiple Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors (RCs) to support the United States Department of Labor (DOL) in Richmond, VA. Qualified candidates must be a US Citizen with the ability to pass a background investigation and credit check.

These services will support the DOL Office of Workers’ Compensation (OWCP) and the Division of Federal Employees’ Compensation (DFEC).  The Mission of the OWCP/DFEC Vocational Rehabilitation Program is to assist claimants/injured workers (IWs) covered by the Federal Employees Compensation Act (FECA) to return to gainful employment. The FECA authorizes funding for vocational rehabilitation services with the primary goal of reemployment, as soon as feasibly possible, to a job consistent with the physical and vocational abilities (and with a salary as close as possible) to the date of injury job, minimizing wage loss. RCs will be expected to travel as needed within their assigned region. 

The RCs will:

• Provide vocational counseling and guidance to individuals disabled under Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (FECA).
• Conduct in-person (face-to-face) contact with the injured worker as required, particularly important at transition points, such as the beginning and ending of training or placement programs, to reduce the chances of interruption of the rehabilitation process.
• Provide vocational assessments including, but not limited to, vocational testing, work evaluations, and situational assessments.
• Coordinate and schedule functional capacity evaluations, work hardening, and similar inpatient/outpatient programs, and facilitate treatment for substance abuse.
• Conduct appropriate job analyses and transferrable skills analysis as requested based on the needs of the assigned case.
• Assist with vocational exploration and labor market surveys.
• Develop plans for job seeking skills training, direct job placement, identification of qualification for any special Federal hiring authorities, and/or on-the-job or formal training.
• Facilitate and supervise job readiness development and job placement services.
• Provide specialized job, vehicle and home modification services, and life care planning services in catastrophic cases.
• Effectively and promptly communicate all case milestones and activities that require action including, but not limited to return to work, work stoppage, and recurrence of symptoms, unrelated medical issues, and instances of non-cooperation.
• Establish a supportive relationship with the Injured Worker, while at the same time keeping the goals and objectives of the OWCP rehabilitation program in focus for the Injured Worker.
• Provide rehabilitation services in adherence to OWCP standards and the Vocational Rehabilitation Handbook
• Submit not fewer than monthly reports with a detailed and accurate accounting of activities performed and services provided, by minute, according to OWCP regulations and company policy.
• Generate and submit required reports, plans, forms, memos and other documentation in accordance with all DOL OWCP due dates and guidelines.

Required Experience:

• US Citizen with the ability to pass a background investigation and credit check with favorable results to include federal, county, and state criminal searches; motor vehicle driving record review; education and employment verification; and professional licensing verification
• Master’s Degree in Vocational Counseling, Rehabilitation Counseling, or related field
• Active, unrestricted Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC)
• A minimum of 2 years of vocational rehabilitation counseling and direct job placement experience
• Have knowledge of computer operations and proficiency in the use of basic word processing, data entry, and automated records
• Knowledge of OWCP FECA laws, regulations, and program, highly preferred
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills

Required IT Access:

All applicants must have regular access to a computer with the following:

• Hard-drive disk with 30GB of storage available
• Monitor with a display of 1280x1024 or higher
• Internet connection wired 1.5 Mbps (up) / 1.2 Mbps (down) or faster
• TWAIN-compatible scanner with ability to scan multi-page documents (up to 6 pages)
• Windows Operating System 7 or later
• Adobe Reader 9.0 or higher
• Current anti-virus software or anti-virus subscription that updates automatically