We're Hiring!

Position Function:

The Vocational Counselor will support the Career Horizons Project in the competitive integrated employment (CIE) placement and retention service delivery among individuals with disabilities impacted by Long COVID. This will include recruiting and enrolling participants located within the assigned region of the state, conducting intake meetings with participants and implementing CIE placement and retention interventions, and conducting exit interviews and one-year follow up surveys. The major objective of the position is to provide unemployed or underemployed participants with CIE placement services and employed participants with CIE retention services.

The successful candidate must live in one of the following counties in the assigned region: Northwest MS (Tunica, Coahoma, Quitman, Tallahatchie, Leflore, Bolivar, Sunflower, Washington, Humphreys, Sharkey, or Issaquena) or North MS (Desoto, Tate, Panola, Yalobusha, Marshall, Lafayette, Calhoun, Benton, Tippah, Union, Pontotoc, Alcorn, Prentiss, Lee, Tishomingo, or Itawamba).

Salary Grade:  13

Please see Staff Compensation Structure or Skilled Crafts and Service Maintenance Compensation Schedule for salary ranges.  For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.

Department Profile:

The Mississippi Institute on Disabilities (MIoD) is housed within the College of Education and represents an interdisciplinary hub focused on innovative and convergent research, service, and training to support individuals with disabilities. Affiliated units of MIoD include the T.K. Martin Center for Technology and Disability; the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Clinic; Career Horizons Center; ACCESS and Specialized College Services; and affiliate programs in the College of Education among others.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Recruit and enroll intervention participants within the assigned region of the state
• Conduct intake meetings telephonically/virtually to gather demographic information on participants and administer psychosocial and employment measures
• Provide CIE placement services (i.e. develop a goal-directed CIE plan; connect with a career mentor for informational interviewing and job shadowing opportunities; conduct career assessments; assist with job search, application, and interview process; identify workplace accommodations needed, etc.) for up to 8 months to participants who are unemployed at the time of enrollment
• Provide CIE retention services (i.e. develop a CIE retention plan; complete the Work Experience Survey to identify perceived CIE retention barriers and possible accommodations to address those barriers; assist with discussing job retention needs with employers; etc.) for up to 8 months to participants who are employed at the time of enrollment
• Close cases with intervention participants and conduct exit interviews as needed
• Conduct one-year follow-up surveys with intervention participants
• Work independently to provide CIE placement and retention services to intervention participants
• Communicate effectively and efficiently with intervention participants, state agencies, contractors, and related personnel to support the project
• All other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in counseling, social work, psychology, or related field
• Ability to work remotely with set hours and some after-hours necessary (strong internet access, minimal disruptions, etc.)
• Must be proficient in technology including Microsoft Suite: Word, Excel, Teams, Slack, Canvas and related technology

Preferred Qualifications:

• Resides within Northwest MS (Tunica, Coahoma, Quitman, Tallahatchie, Leflore, Bolivar, Sunflower, Washington, Humphreys, Sharkey, or Issaquena)
• Master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling, social work, psychology or related field
• Three years experience working with individuals with disabilities
• Holds a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) certification
• Knowledge of Long COVID and its impact on employment and daily life
• Experience supporting persons with disabilities in achieving some type of outcome (i.e. employment, housing, advocacy, food security, etc.). Experience supporting persons with disabilities in achieving competitive integrated employment and job placement services will be preferred.
• Experience engaging with stakeholders in the community and regional resources
• Familiarity with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) provisions regarding CIE

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Strong technology skills in use of multiple platforms and coordination of platforms together, including database systems like Excel
• Ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community; must understand disability related knowledge
• Strong ability to work independently
• Sensitivity to diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds
• Strong advocacy skills to negotiate reasonable accommodations with employers
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Strong organizational skills
• Problem-solving skills
• Efficient work ethic

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

• Position will require weekly travel and limited overnight stays
• Position will require occasional weekend travel (e.g. conferences or job site observations)
• Must be able to read, write, and communicate in vocal English
• In case of emergency, must be able to lift 50 pounds and move quickly
• Able to navigate multiple work environments including factories, school districts, and potentially non-ADA accessible environments
• Ability to engage in virtual, off-site work with internet access
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and have reliable transportation
• Must be able to use vision and hearing to engage in multiple environments with stakeholders
• Must have a location to engage in professional business within your natural environment (access to internet connection, office space, etc.)

Instructions for Applying:

Link to apply:  http://explore.msujobs.msstate.edu/

Applications must apply online and attach a resume, cover letter, unofficial transcripts (please redact social security numbers), and the complete contact information for three professional references.

Restricted Clause:

Position is contingent upon continued availability of funding.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

Mississippi State University is an equal opportunity institution. Discrimination is prohibited in university employment, programs or activities based on race, color, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, or any other status to the extent protected by applicable law. Questions about equal opportunity programs or compliance should be directed to the Office of Civil Rights Compliance, 231 Famous Maroon Band Street, P.O. 6044, Mississippi State, MS 39762, (662) 325-5839.

What do I do if I need an accommodation?

In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Mississippi State University, please contact the Department of Human Resources Management at tel: (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu.

If you have any questions regarding this policy, contact the Department of Human Resources Management at (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu. Upon request, sections of this job listing are available in large print, and readers are available to assist the visually impaired.