Employment Assistance Specialist (Fort Worth)

For Texas to be GREAT, we need the best and brightest talent like you!
 

The public vocational rehabilitation (VR) program administered through the Texas Workforce Commission helps people with disabilities to prepare for, obtain, retain, and advance in employment.
 

MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND HELP PEOPLE WITH VR
According to the Department of Labor, the unemployment rate for people with disabilities was 12.6% in 2020.  This jobless rate continues to be much higher than the rate for those without disabilities.
 

PUBLIC SERVICE IN VR IS FOR YOU…
-If you want to find meaningful work and contribute to a powerful mission.  For more than 100 years VR has been helping individuals with disabilities achieve their employment goals!
-If you are looking for career and advancement opportunities.  38% of employees in VR have 15+ years of seniority.  There are various positions with career ladders and opportunities to specialize in areas of interest:  Autism, Blind & Visual Impairments, Deaf & Hard of Hearing, Brain Injury, Foster Youth, Transition Students, Veterans.
-If you need a comprehensive benefits package that offers competitive pay & benefits from health plans, life insurance, retirement programs, paid leave and holidays, and longevity pay.
-If you have direct VR Counseling work experience, receive higher starting salary.
-If you want to advance your education with our tuition assistance program.
-FREE CEUs to maintain CRC credentials and reimbursement for CRC & LPC renewals.

The mission of the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is to promote and support a workforce system that creates value and offers employers, individuals and communities the opportunity to achieve and sustain economic prosperity. To support our mission, we are looking for an Employment Assistance Specialist (EAS) II - Sr EAS to join the Vocational Rehabilitation Department team. This position is located at 2400 Circle Drive, Fort Worth, Texas.

TWC is not considering applications from individuals who require sponsorship for an employment visa, including those with H1B visas or those currently on student or postgraduate visas. You must be a Texas resident to work for the Texas Workforce Commission or willing to relocate to Texas.

Benefits to working for TWC include:
- Competitive starting salary: $4,500.00 - $6,150.25/month
- Defined Retirement Benefit Plan
- Optional 401(k) and 457 accounts
- Medical Insurance - Currently, the state pays 100% of the health plan premium for eligible full-time employees and 50% of the premium for their eligible dependents. Eligible part-time employees get a 50% state contribution for themselves and 25% for their dependents. Employees pay the remainder of the premium by paycheck deduction before taxes are withheld.
- Optional Benefits such as dental, vision, and life insurance
- 8 hours' sick leave per month
- 8 hours' vacation leave per month with potential to earn more with longevity
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) services
- Additional benefits for active employees: https://www.ers.texas.gov/Active-Employees/Health-Benefits.

The Employment Assistance Specialist (EAS) II - Sr EAS is under the direct supervision of the Program Support Manager. Performs moderately complex (journey-level) - highly complex (senior-level) consultative services work. Work involves planning, developing, and implementing an agency program and providing consultative services to program staff, governmental agencies, community organizations, or the general public. May train others. Works under general-limited supervision, with limited-moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.
 

GENERAL DUTIES:
- Lead for customer related employment activities.
- Works with businesses and TWS staff in planning and providing services necessary to assist customers in obtaining and or maintaining competitive employment.
- Develops and maintains relationships in partnership with the TWS Business Outreach Services and Coordination Team.
- Maintains current knowledge of developments and trends to assist in identification of appropriate technology for customers and businesses.
- Performs other duties as assigned.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Experience in developing and maintaining relationships with businesses.
- Knowledge of assistive equipment and devices to assist individuals who have disabilities, including blindness and visual impairments.
- Knowledge of the Vocational Rehabilitation Process.
- Knowledge of community resources that can assist with employment of individuals who have disabilities.
 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- EAS II - Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in human services, social science, business, or a related field plus two years of full-time qualifying experience in social and rehabilitative services work, teaching and counseling persons with disabilities, social services, medical eligibility, or entitlement programs.
- EAS III - Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in human services, social science, business, or a related field plus two years and six months of full-time qualifying experience in social and rehabilitative services work, teaching and counseling persons with disabilities, social services, medical eligibility, or entitlement programs.
- Sr. EAS IV - Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in human services, social science, business, or a related field plus three years of full-time qualifying experience in social and rehabilitative services work; teaching and counseling persons with disabilities, social services, medical eligibility, or entitlement programs.
- For all levels, 12 semester hours of graduate study from an accredited college or university may be substituted for each year of the required qualifying experience and one additional year of full-time qualifying experience may be substituted for each year (30 semester hours) of the required college.
- Copy of official transcripts, certifications and/or credentials will be requested at the time of interview if applicable.

Duties may include up to 70% travel (within the State of Texas) and the ability to lift/carry 15 pounds.

VETERANS:
Use your military skills to qualify for this position or other jobs! Go to www.texasskillstowork.com to translate your military work experience and training courses into civilian job terms, qualifications and skill sets. Also, you can compare this position to military occupations (MOS) at the Texas State Auditor's Office by pasting this link into your browser: http://www.hr.sao.texas.gov/Compensation/MilitaryCrosswalk/MOSC_SocialServices.pdf.
 

HOW TO APPLY: 
To be considered, please complete a State of Texas Application for Employment and apply online at www.workintexas.com or on Taleo (Job Search). TWC is not considering applications from individuals who require sponsorship for an employment visa, including those with H1B visas or those currently on student or postgraduate visas. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire. A position utilizing this classification will be designated as security sensitive according to the Texas Labor Code, Section 301.042.