Exam Bulletin

Department of Rehabilitation

Exam Code: EX-4345

Examination Plans Included:

  • SENIOR VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION COUNSELOR, QUALIFIED REHABILITATION PROFESSIONAL - Open

Final Filing Date: Applications are accepted on a continuous basis.

Classification Details

SENIOR VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION COUNSELOR, QUALIFIED REHABILITATION PROFESSIONAL: $5,213.00 - $7,494.00 per Month

View the SENIOR VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION COUNSELOR, QUALIFIED REHABILITATION PROFESSIONAL classification specification.

Application Instructions

Applications are accepted on a continuous basis.

Who Should Apply:

The information below will help you determine which classification(s) is(are) appropriate for you. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications as stated on this bulletin to compete in this examination.

Open and Open, Non-Promotional Examination(s):

  • SENIOR VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION COUNSELOR, QUALIFIED REHABILITATION PROFESSIONAL - Open

For all Classifications, once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 6 months:

Exam Code(s):

    4345

For SENIOR VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION COUNSELOR, QUALIFIED REHABILITATION PROFESSIONAL, once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 6 months:

Exam Code(s):

  • EX-04345

How To Apply:

Submit an Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) to apply for this examination.

Electronic applications can be submitted through your account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov.

You may apply by mail to:

  • Exams
    Department of Rehabilitation
    Department of Rehabilitation
    721 Capitol Mall
    Sacramento, CA 95814

Indicate the Examination Code and Classification(s) on your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678).

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

  • Department of Rehabilitation
    Department of Rehabilitation
    721 Capitol Mall
    Floor 2 - Personnel
    Sacramento, CA 95814
    8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
    Please be sure to date stamp the application at drop off.

Indicate the Examination Code and Classification(s) on your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678). All applicants must provide proof of identification. Accepted forms of identification are: 1) a photo identification card or 2) two forms of signed identification.

Special Testing Arrangements:

If you require assistance or alternative testing arrangements due to a disability, indicate on your application that you need reasonable accommodation. You will be contacted by a representative of the testing department to make the necessary arrangements. If you have not been contacted by the time you receive notification of testing, please contact the testing department listed in the Contact section of this bulletin.

If you are unable to submit your application or complete the test due to a disability, please contact the testing department listed in the Contact section of this bulletin.

Minimum Qualifications

All applicants must meet the education and/or experience requirements as stated on this exam bulletin to be accepted to the examination.

Unless otherwise stated in the Minimum Qualifications, qualifying experience may be combined on a proportionate basis if the requirements stated below include more than one pattern and are distinguished as "Either" 1, "or" 2, "or" 3, etc. For example, applicants possessing qualifying experience amounting to 50% of the required time of Pattern 1 and additional experience amounting to 50% of the required time of Pattern 2 may be accepted to an examination as meeting 100% of the overall experience requirement.

00109818 - SENIOR VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION COUNSELOR, QUALIFIED REHABILITATION PROFESSIONAL

Either I

Education: Possession of a Master's Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from a recognized institution.

Or II

Education: Possession of a Master's Degree in Counseling or a closely related field from a recognized institution. and Successful completion of one graduate course with a primary focus on the Theories and Techniques of Counseling.

Or III

Education: Possession of a Doctorate Degree with a specific program and doctoral dissertation with an emphasis on rehabilitation from a recognized institution. and Successful completion of one graduate course with a primary focus on the Theories and Techniques of Counseling.

Or IV

Possession of an active national certification as a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor.

Or V

Enrollment in the final academic year, in any of the above Master's or Doctoral Degree programs, in a recognized institution, will admit applicants to the examination. Proof of possession of a Master's or Doctorate Degree must be provided before an applicant can be considered eligible for appointment.

In addition, if the Master's Degree is in Counseling or a related field, or is a Doctorate Degree with a dissertation with an emphasis on rehabilitation, proof of completion of one graduate course with a primary focus on the Theories and Techniques of Counseling, must be provided before an applicant can be considered eligible for appointment.

Position Description

00109818 - SENIOR VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION COUNSELOR, QUALIFIED REHABILITATION PROFESSIONAL

Through a process of informed choice, interview applicants and/or their representatives and assess all information to determine eligibility for services, the severity and nature of disability, and the need for vocational rehabilitation services; collect, analyze, and interpret medical, psychological, educational, social, rehabilitation technology, and employment information regarding each applicant; conduct a vocational assessment; counsel and guide clients throughout the vocational rehabilitation process; refer for evaluations and arrange for various medical and diagnostic treatments that are essential to the vocational rehabilitation process; develop training and/or placement plans focused on achieving gainful employment outcomes and/or independence; determine need for clients' financial participation in their vocational rehabilitation program; manage a caseload, case records, and control case service expenditures; may provide or arrange for prevocational training and adjustment services including teaching the techniques of mobility, communications, and independent living; serve as a resource to businesses, employers, and representatives of public and private agencies in relation to vocational rehabilitation issues; through a process of informed choice, promote and coordinate the assistance and services of other agencies and organizations needed in the vocational rehabilitation process as required; serve as a resource person during all phases of the vocational rehabilitation programs; and in a lead capacity, provide guidance and advice to other Senior Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors on all procedures and techniques in counseling and placement.

Demonstrated interest in and capacity for assuming increased responsibility; the ability to work effectively, independently, or within a group; willingness and ability to make frequent field visits away from established headquarters; and ability to remain objective when faced with difficult or sensitive situations.

For information regarding position location(s), please refer to the Eligible List Information section.

Examination Information

This examination consists of the following component(s):

Component OrderComponent TypeComponent DuePercentage of Final Score
1Online ExamAfter Acceptance100%

A final score of 70% must be attained to be placed on the eligible list.

In addition to evaluating the applicant's relative knowledge, skill and ability as demonstrated by quality and breadth of education/experience, emphasis in each test component will be on measuring competitively, relative to job demands, each applicant's:

Knowledge of: Disabilities and their impact on a person's independence and employment opportunities; basic medical and psychiatric conditions, as well as standard tests used in the vocational rehabilitation process; and various State and Federal regulations, as well as departmental policies and procedures.

Ability to: Communicate and write effectively; learn and apply the principles and practices of counseling, vocational guidance, and occupational placement for persons with vocational impediments; learn and adapt to and implement changes to State and Federal regulations, and departmental policies and procedures; learn and apply specific vocational rehabilitation procedures and techniques; analyze and interpret test and evaluation results; work well under pressure; work with difficult people; effectively and accurately analyze a variety of situations and take appropriate action; effectively prioritize, organize, and manage time; and use a variety of computer applications.

Eligible List Information

A Departmental Open eligible list for the SENIOR VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION COUNSELOR, QUALIFIED REHABILITATION PROFESSIONAL Classification will be established for:

  • Department of Rehabilitation

The names of successful competitors will be merged onto the eligible list(s) in order of final score regardless of test date. Eligibility expires 18 months after it is established. Applicants must then retake the examination to reestablish eligibility.

Resulting Eligibility List(s) will be used to fill vacancies throughout the State of California.

Veterans' Preference will be granted for this examination. Veterans' Preference is an assistance program for veterans, veteran widows and widowers, and spouses of 100% disabled veterans who seek employment with the state. Veterans' Preference is also extended to currently serving military members nearing their retirement or separation date.

You are not eligible for Veteran's Preference if you are:

  • A veteran who has been dishonorably discharged or released.
  • A veteran, widow or widower of a veteran, or spouse of a 100 percent disabled veteran who currently has permanent civil service status. (Permanent civil service status is the status of an employee who is lawfully retained in his/her position after completion of the applicable probationary period. This does not include limited term).

Veterans' Preference is codified in Government Code Sections 18973 – 18979.

Veteran status is verified by the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR). Directions to apply for Veterans' Preference are on the Veterans' Preference Application (Std. Form 1093), which is available at www.CalCareers.ca.gov, and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Career Credits are not granted for examination(s) administered on an Open basis or a Promotional basis.

Senior Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, QRP Training and Evaluation Preview

Instructions
Using the rating scales provided, you will self-rate how each statement applies to you.

1. Knowledge of individuals with different abilities and their impact on a person’s independence and employment opportunities to develop the most appropriate vocational plan.
2. Ability to apply counseling and guidance techniques and provide appropriate vocational services for individuals with different abilities to increase the potential of having a successful employment outcome.
3. Knowledge of job development and placement techniques to ensure a successful employment outcome.
4. Ability to effectively prioritize, organize, and manage tasks to ensure quality and timely completion.
5. Ability to effectively and accurately analyze a variety of situations to take appropriate action when providing vocational services.
6. Ability to identify and coordinate a variety of services essential to the vocational process.
7. Ability to learn and apply various State and Federal laws, regulations, and departmental policies.
8. Knowledge of basic medical and psychiatric conditions to develop individualized vocational plans.
9. Ability to communicate effectively with internal and external partners to ensure service delivery.
10. Ability to use a variety of computer applications to effectively manage various work assignments and caseloads.

Testing Departments

  • Department of Rehabilitation

Contact Information

Questions regarding this examination should be directed to:

Department of Rehabilitation
Exams - Brittany Rossi
Department of Rehabilitation
721 Capitol Mall
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916) 558-5545

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice). TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

Drug Free Statement

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free State work place. Any applicant for State employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective, because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing civil service, and the special trust placed in public servants.

General Information

Examination and/or Employment Application (STD 678) forms are available at the California Department of Human Resources, local offices of the Employment Development Department, and through your CalCareer Account (www.CalCareers.ca.gov).

If you meet the requirements stated on this examination bulletin, you may take this examination, which is competitive. Possession of the entrance requirements does not assure a place on the eligible list. Your performance in the examination described in this bulletin will be rated against a predetermined job-related rating, and all applicants who pass will be ranked according to their scores.

Department of Rehabilitation reserves the right to revise the examination plan to better meet the needs of the service, if the circumstances under which this examination was planned change. Such revision will be in accordance with civil service laws and rules and all applicants will be notified.

General Qualifications: Applicants must possess essential personal qualifications including integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgment, the ability to work cooperatively with others, and a state of health consistent with the ability to perform the assigned duties of the class. A medical examination may be required. In open examinations, investigation may be made of employment records and personal history and fingerprinting may be required.

Eligible Lists: Eligible lists established by competitive examination, regardless of date, must be used in the following order: 1) sub-divisional promotional, 2) departmental promotional, 3) multi-departmental promotional, 4) service-wide promotional, 5) departmental open, 6) open. When there are two lists of the same kind, the older must be used first. Eligible lists will expire in one to four years unless otherwise stated on the bulletin.

High School Equivalence: Equivalence to completion of the 12th grade may be demonstrated in any one of the following ways: 1) passing the General Education Development (GED) Test; 2) completion of 12 semester units of college-level work; 3) certification from the State Department of Education, a local school board, or high school authorities that the competitor is considered to have education equivalent to graduation from high school; or 4) for clerical and accounting classes, substitution of business college work in place of high school on a year-for-year basis.

Accepted applicants must provide proof of identification at each in-person test session. Acceptable identification consists of a photo identification card or two forms of signed identification.

Application Methods:
Electronic (Your CalCareer Account)
By Mail
In Person (see bulletin for details)
Alternate Application Process

While we recommend that you utilize your CalCareer Account to take advantage of all the tools available, you may choose to apply for this examination without using your account. In this case, print and complete the Exam Application Package Checklist and include it if you submit a hard copy application.

Exam Application Package Checklist

Blank Application Form (STD678)

Accommodation Request (STD679)