JOB DESCRIPTION: VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION COUNSELOR

ASSISTANT

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION:

To provide assistance to the Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor assigned to

Cocke County Schools with a goal of assisting students in activities that
result in competitive employment. The assistant will focus primarily on
working with students directly in preparing for and securing competitive
employment. The assistant will aid in the development of student work
related aptitudes, interpersonal skills, work behaviors, and functional
capacities to achieve positive employment outcomes.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• VRC Assistant preferably has a four-year college degree and has a

minimum of two years of college course work. Two years of additional
college may be substituted for four years of relevant work experience.

• VRC Assistant must be proficient in written and oral communication as

well as computer literate.

• VRC Assistant must possess a high level of flexibility in his/her daily

routine.

• VRC Assistant must present a positive public appearance.

• VRC Assistant must have generalized skills in relation to the world of

work and be able to assist and support students in regular workforce
environment.

• VRC Assistant must be able to effectively instruct students in both an

individualized setting as well as in a group (i.e. teaching classes
related to self-determination and employment).

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The primary role of the VRC Assistant is to provide support to the VRC, Work-
Based Learning program, school staff, students, and community through the
following activities:

• Provide support to VR and the Work-Based Learning program in the

form of assisting with job development and scheduling.

• Provide on-site training opportunities for students to assist in education

regarding job demands.

• Assist students to develop a standard of job performance that is

acceptable to the employer.
 • Assist students to develop positive working relationships with co-
workers and supervisors providing needed intervention when problems
or difficulties become known.

• Provide a source of awareness to the student, their supervisors, and

co-workers on the many productive and positive qualities of persons
with disabilities.

• Provide community outreach and education to improve disability

awareness and community support for students with disabilities.

• Provide education and instruction that will improve job readiness,

independence, and self- determination needed to ensure long-term
competitive employment for students.

• Provide feedback and support to other relevant staff from the school,
M-Team, as well as VR in relation to the student’s success.

• Assist the VRC in maintaining effective client referrals and successful

employment outcomes.

• VRC Assistant may also be asked to assist with varied forms of

paperwork, filing, student location on and off campus, and attend state
VR training events.

The VRC Assistant is responsible for insuring that the student(s) at both
Cocke County and Cosby High Schools are receiving the needed skills
necessary to achieve competitive employment. The VRC Assistant will act as
liaison between employers, students, and school system staff to insure
beneficial student education and training needed for program success. In
addition, the VRC Assistant will aid students in developing required job skills,
interpersonal behaviors, and self-determination needed to better prepare
students for competitive employment. Overall the VRC Assistant will provide
support to employers, school staff, Work-Based Learning staff, VR, and
students to insure successful employment outcomes.

SUPERVISION:

The VRC Assistant will rely on the VRC for leadership and guidance with
considerable latitude for independent action within his/her area of
responsibility. Ultimate supervision of all grant funded positions falls to the
Cocke County Schools. The VRC Assistant will consult with and inform VR
staff, school or Work-Based Learning staff of programmatic issues that affect
or have the potential to affect the success of the individual students and the
program as a whole.