Position Summary

 The North Intertribal Vocational Rehabilitation Program (NIVRP) Counselor helps Native American and Alaska Native individuals with disabilities overcome barriers to employment. This role involves conducting interviews, assessing eligibility, and developing individualized employment plans (IPEs) to support participants in achieving meaningful work. The counselor coordinates medical, psychological, educational, and financial resources, provides case management, and collaborates with businesses, employers, and training institutes to secure job placements. Additionally, the counselor engages in outreach, disability education, and community collaboration to promote program awareness and build trust. Responsibilities also include leading workshops, assisting with job searches, securing additional funding resources, and working with other tribal and state programs to ensure comprehensive support for participants.Click here to enter text.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

·         Conducts initial interview and informs applicants of vocational rehabilitation (VR) services they may be eligible for.

·         Determines program eligibility and completes vocational assessment with participant; develops an individualized employment plan (IPE) with the participant which outlines the removal of the participants’ barriers to employment.

·         Coordinates and synthesizes necessary medical, psychological, social, educational, vocational and financial information to use for eligibility determination and vocational rehabilitation counseling.

·         Comprehends medical reports and communicates with medical community.

·         Provides case record management and monitoring VR services during VR process.

·         Works with tribal enterprises, administrations, tribal programs and off-reservation employers to complete placement of participants in suitable employment.

·         Performs outreach and disability education activities within NIVRP tribal communities to: develop community trust; provide information and acceptance of Vocational Rehabilitation Program, and; to develop an understanding of the relationship with the tribal communities to be served.

·         Collaborates with training institutes to provide educational resources to program participants as part of their vocational rehabilitation plan, when necessary..

·         Transports program participant to appointments, meetings or interviews using private vehicle, when necessary.

·         Meets with other tribal and State programs to secure other funding resources for comparable benefits to meet the vocational rehabilitation needs of program participants.

·         Leads individual/group workshops/trainings and related activities for customers for job search and/or preparation for employment.

·         Attends job related training and educational opportunities to increase understanding and skills around disabilities, and employment issues.

·         Collaborates with local businesses to ensure advocacy, appropriate placements and training opportunities for participants.

·         Meet with local high school or education centers to offer information about NIVRP program and Transition services, as needed.

·         Performs other duties as assigned

Supervisory Responsibilities

No supervisory responsibilities

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

·         Awareness of Native American Culture – Understanding of Native American culture, traditions, and values, with the ability to respect and include culture in vocational rehabilitation services.

·         Understanding of Disabilities and Support Services – Know about different disability and how they can affect people’s daily lives.  Have an understanding of programs and services that can help people with disabilities find and keep jobs

·         Strong Communication Skills – You must be able to speak clearly and write well so that others can understand important information.

·         Problem Solving and Decision Making - Help participants set career goals, create plan, overcome employment challenges, and find creative solutions to support their success.

·         Computer Skills- Know how to use Microsoft Office programs like Word, Excel, and Outlook. Be comfortable learning new computer programs and using the internet for email, research and online training.

·         Travel Ability - Ability to use personal vehicle to drive to various tribal sites to meet with program participants and to out-of-town training opportunities.

·         Relationship Building - Be able to build and maintain positive, professional relationships with program participants, tribal leaders, businesses, and other organizations while respecting different cultures and traditions.

·         Role Model for Employment - Demonstrate strong work habits, responsibility, and professionalism in the workplace and community.

·         Confidentially and Privacy - Understand and strictly follow privacy rules to protect people’s personal information, including the Vocational Rehabilitation Program policies and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. 

The worker is frequently subject to inside environmental conditions, which provide protection from weather conditions, but not necessarily from temperature changes, and is subject to outside environmental conditions and to wet and/or humid conditions.  The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job

·         Frequently involves sedentary work which requires 6-8 hours of office time each day, driving time sufficient to commute to tribal communities and up to 4 hours of commuter time each day, necessary to meet with clients or providers, to maintain case files or attend training, etc.

·         Occasionally involves light work: exerting up to 20 pounds of force and/or up to 10 pounds of force and/or negligible amount of force to move objects.

·         Occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

·         Constantly requires the ability to give and receive detailed information through verbal/written communication.

·         Constantly requires verbally expressing or exchanging ideas of important instructions accurately, loudly, or quickly.

·         Constantly requires repetitive movement of the wrists, hands and/or fingers.

·         Often requires walking or moving about to accomplish tasks.

·         Occasionally requires stooping which entails the use of the lower extremities and back muscles.  Infrequently requires crouching.

 Position Qualifications

·         High school degree, Required and

o   4 years of experience working in Native American and/or disability communities.

o   4 years of experience in case management and community outreach.

·          OR

·         Associates Degree, Preferred and

o   2 years of experience working in Native American and/or disability communities.

o   2 years of experience in case management and community outreach.

·         OR

·         Bachelor’s Degree in Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling, Human Services, Social Services Counseling, Psychology or similar degrees, preferred.

·         Native preference applies in hiring, as allowed by Federal law.

·         Must have a valid Washington State drivers’ license, reliable transportation, and meet the Stillaguamish Tribe’s insurance requirements to drive Tribal vehicles.

·         Ability to pass a criminal background check and pre-employment drug screen.

Travel Requirements

Local travel is frequently required.  Travel outside of the state is infrequently required. 

Travel between 2 or 3 tribal communities in Whatcom, Skagit & Snohomish counties.                                     

Confidentiality/Stillaguamish Non-Disclosure Agreement

NIVRP follows strict confidentiality policies in order to protect the NIVRP participant’s information.  Use, release and obtaining of personal information, including photographs and lists of name, shall follow applicable federal regulations in 34 CFR 361.38.  You will be asked to sign a NIVRP Confidentiality Statement which outlines these policies. 

The Stillaguamish Tribe Confidentiality and Non-Disclosure Agreement must be signed periodically throughout your employment.  This Agreement discussed the confidentiality of Stillaguamish business affairs, operations and activities.  It also explains that all inquiries from the public media must be referred to the Tribal council.

Failure to uphold NIVRP’s confidentiality and/or Stillaguamish Tribe’s Confidentiality and Non-Disclosure Agreement may result in termination.

Full Time Employees are eligible for: 

• Medical, Dental, Vision available on 1st of month after hire date - choose either a PPO or HDHP with a Health Savings Account.
• Paid Time Off (PTO) earned to plan for future paid days off from work.
• Parental Leave
• 401(k) retirement with generous company match.
• Holiday Bank hours
• Discounts at 210 Cannabis Co and Angel of the Winds Casino Resort plus 20 cents off per gallon at Angel of the Winds Fuel.