Vocational Evaluator

Are you ready to make a difference in your community? Do YOU want to work on a team that is committed to empowering individuals? At Helen Keller Services, our employees work in an environment that is more than just a workplace, it’s a community. Since 1967, Helen Keller National Center (HKNC) has been committed to improving the lives of individuals who are Deaf.

Blind or have a combined hearing and vision loss. HKNC is dedicated to working with each person to achieve their desired goals towards independence, employment, and quality of life, based on their talents, preferences and aspirations. We currently have a F ull Time career opportunity available to join the HKNC team as a Vocational Evaluator.

The Vocational Evaluator is r esponsible for counseling and education, such as file review (medical, psychological, education and social information), standardized testing, behavioral observation, data interpretation and vocational/career decision making. The Vocational Evaluator is an integral part of assisting the team with a transition plan once the consumer is determined to be job ready.

This position is in-person based out of our training building in beautiful Sands Point, NY . The regular hours are Monday-Friday. 8am-3:45pm. Candidate may be required to travel locally and/or nationally. payrate: $40.72/hour ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned. Actively collaborate with team (including consumer) to design trans-disciplinary training activities, implement individualized program and evaluate progress through debriefing and further dialogue to identify further learning opportunities.

Communicates to all team members the consumer’s training priorities/short and long term goals. Ensures the consumer’s involvement in decision making process with team throughout evaluation and training Evaluates individuals’ abilities, interests and personality characteristics using testing, records, interviews or professional sources Conducts and interprets observations during work evaluations, writes evaluation report and report results at Employment Planning Meeting.

Interviews consumer to obtain information about employment history, educational background and career goals. Administers work samples, such as VALPAR, Tower, Micro-Tower, establishing appropriate and adapted procedures for individual consumers. Observes and interprets work behavior during situational assessments and documents observations.

Interprets vocational test results and compiles complete reports. Develops new work samples (from work experience sites and other situations) to meet the needs of consumers. Establish contacts with employers to create internship and employment opportunities for consumers. Acts as a group leader instructing consumers with regard to work adjustment issues.

Accompanies, serves as guide, and supports communication access for consumers and staff when necessary in a variety of situations and settings. To accomplish this the individual may be required to use a personal vehicle on occasion. HKNC will provide interpreting support for formal meetings such as Employment Planning Meetings, Team Meetings, Full Staff Meetings and seminars Provides in-service training for staff members, seminar participants, and others.

Plans and promotes career and employment related programs and events, such as career planning presentations, work-experience programs, job fairs and career workshops. Provide consumers with information on such topics as college degree programs and admission requirements, trade and technical schools, and apprenticeship programs Selects and uses training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new concepts or tasks.

Schedule and facilitate Personal Futures Planning meetings. Works collaboratively with the National Business and Employment Specialist to identify market trends in a consumers’ home community. Participates in vocational planning meetings to assist the vocational team with supporting the consumers’ vocational plan. Works collaboratively with the Deaf Blind Specialists throughout the consumers’ program to develop and implement an action plan with a focus on an employment outcome.

Leads the transition planning efforts with the RC, DBES, RR and HKNC instructional staff. Schedules 3-4 mock interviews for students to strengthen their interviewing skills. Mock interviews can be scheduled with the National Business and Employment Specialist or the Deaf Blind Employment Specialist. Responsible for other duties as may be assigned or requested by his/her immediate supervisor and/or the Director of the Department.

REQUIRED EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE Master's Degree in Vocational Evaluation, or Rehabilitation Counseling with emphasis on Vocational Evaluation. Minimum of two years of full time experience as a vocational evaluator in a vocational evaluation program. Must possess knowledge of current commercial vocational evaluation systems.

Experience with persons who are Deaf. Blind, Blind, Deaf or have multiple disabilities required. Proficiency in American Sign Language preferred, or will be expected to learn and to develop skill in American Sign Language and braille to a working level of proficiency. Strong writing skill required for writing reports.

PC Skills – MS Office, Word and Outlook, required. Must be organized, detail oriented, ambitious and a team player. At HKS we strive to provide a healthy work-life balance for our employees. we offer generous paid time off and comprehensive benefit package including: Paid Vacation Time Paid Sick Time Personal Days Fully paid Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance* 12 Paid Holidays Short Term Disability/ Life Insurance Ancillary Benefit options 403b Program with Employer Match Tuition Reimbursement program Career Advancement Opportunities *Applicants may opt to accept this position as a No-Frills employee.

No-frills employees receive an additional 10% premium on the hourly rate of pay, but do not participate in the Union Health Insurance Plan. Individuals seeking a No-frills position must show they have alternative insurance to be eligible. HKS is committed to providing reasonable workplace accommodations to individuals with illness, injury, or disability to complete the essential functions of their job.