Vocational Counselor

Position Summary:

Person in this position will be responsible for the delivery of vocational and educational guidance to clients participating in the program. Essential Job Functions include those listed below.

Essential Job Functions:

• Work directly with counselors and clients in the development of Vocational Plans;
• Cooperate with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation in the implementation of the Computer Refurbishing Program;
• Provide educational and vocational guidance to clients participating in the program;
• Provide in-service training and workshops for all staff and clients including development of community resources, job seeking skills classes, labor market research, communications, work place etiquette, career planning, and resume preparation/writing and interview techniques (dress-for success);
• Create a work like environment where women can gain fundamental understanding of punctuality, reliability, steps to completing work assignments;
• Develop facility chore and special skill assignments and job descriptions. Assign facility chores, develop work crews with inmate supervisors and conduct chore assignments as an employment experience, including appropriate attitude and department evaluations and opportunities for advancement;
• Plan and arrange for courses of study and training;
• Interview inmates to determine their employment skill level, strengths and weaknesses and develop a vocational plan;
• Collect and analyze and interpret psychological, educational, social and employment information regarding each applicant and make a vocational diagnosis;
• Counsel and assist applicants with the personal adjustment to work ethics and assignments;

Provide and interpret standardized test for use in vocational guidance;

• Promote and coordinate the assistance and services of other agencies and organizations to bring special classes and training sessions into the facility;
• Develop relationships with large and small employers, become familiar with and their products and human resource needs using a businesslike approach;
• Participate in community advisory groups that assist with return to work programs; working with employers to develop employment opportunities for transition to parole;
• Demonstrate knowledge of financial benefits for employers if they hire an ex-felon;
• Assist employers in revising standards that exclude applicants from jobs;
• Demonstrate to employers the cost effectiveness and profitability of employing chronically unemployed by identifying jobs those workers could perform;
• Obtain job orders, arrange interviews, and provide follow up and feedback to the parties;
• Embrace and embody the mission, vision, guiding principles, clinical vision and goals of WestCare Foundation; and
• Perform any other duties as assigned.

Essential Qualifications:

Certifications/Licenses:

• Certification as a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor is preferred;

Education:

• Associate in Arts Degree with one year experience in employment services for the general public or a specific population; or
• High School Diploma with two years experience in providing employment services

Experience and Competencies:

• Knowledge of labor market research, vocational assessment, career planning and human resource management;
• Knowledge of offender populations, criminal subcultures, and cultural differences, substance abuse assessment tools, therapeutic community concepts is preferred;
• Basic computer skills;
• Good documentation skills;
• Adherence to the highest standard of ethical conduct, especially to standards governing confidentiality;
• Professional appearance and demeanor;
• Must be culturally/linguistically sensitive to populations served;
• Ability to obtain and maintain clearance from California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR);
• Ability to obtain and maintain clearance from LEIE;
• Valid drivers license and ability to obtain and maintain WestCares vehicle insurance is required; and
• CPR Certification, First Aid Certification and an annual Tuberculosis test.

Working Conditions:

• Work is primarily performed in a residential treatment facility; and
• Some outdoor activities may be required.

Essential Physical and Mental Demands of the Job

The employee must be able to perform the following essential duties and activities with or without accommodation:

Physical Demands:

• Requires mobility and physical activity: Having an adequate range of body motion and mobility to work in an office, residential, or outdoor environment including standing and walking (even and uneven surfaces), sitting for extended periods of time, bending, twisting, reaching, balancing, occasional lifting and carrying of up to 10 pounds. Use of computer and telephone systems is required which includes coordination of eye and hand, and fine manipulation by the hands (typing, writing, and working with files). Requires the ability to defend oneself and clients in physically abusive situations through the use of approved physical de-escalation techniques.
• Requires talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Talking is required to impart oral information to employees, clients, patients, and the public, and in those activities in which the employee is required to convey detailed or important spoken instructions to others accurately, loudly, or quickly.
• Requires hearing: Hearing is required to receive and communicate detailed information through oral communication.
• Requires seeing: Clarity of vision at 20 inches or less and at distance. This factor is required to complete paperwork for many of the employees essential job functions and to observe client behavior and activities in and out of the facility.
• The normal work routine involves no exposure to human blood, body fluids or tissues. However, exposure or potential exposure may be required as a condition of employment. Appropriate personal protective equipment will be readily available to every employee.

Mental Demands:

• Requires the ability to collect and analyze complex numerical and written data and verbal information to reach logical conclusions.
• Requires the ability to work and cooperate with clients, co-workers, managers, the public and employees at all levels in order to exchange ideas, information, instructions and opinions.
• Requires the ability to work under stress and in emotionally charged settings.
• The ability to defend oneself and clients in mentally/verbally abusive situations through the use of approved mental/verbal de-escalation techniques.