Vocational Rehabilitation Program Specialist

**Duties**:
As a Vocational Rehabilitation Program Specialist, GS-0101-13, you will be responsible for the following:
**Duties**:

- Assure that assigned State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agencies and other grantees operate in conformity and compliance with applicable federal laws, regulations and policies related to the Rehabilitation Act, the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), and the Randolph-Sheppard Act.
- Lead and participates in monitoring activities for VR program grantees, as well as other grantees administered by SMPID, assigned to his or her State team, including the planning of monitoring activities, the gathering and review of information, the analysis of data, the conduct of teleconferences in preparation for on-site monitoring reviews, the development of monitoring agendas, the conduct of on-site monitoring sessions, the development of draft and final monitoring reports, and the review and approval of corrective action plans.
- The incumbent also may conduct follow-up on-site visits to Vocational Rehabilitation program and other grantees to provide technical assistance that will enable the grantees to implement recommendations to improve program performance and to undertake corrective actions. In addition, the incumbent may be required to lead and participate in the monitoring of grantees assigned to other State teams to better allocate SMPID resources.
- Analyze and synthesize information and data available from assigned State agencies to assist in the development of national policies, guidelines, strategic and operational goals and objectives, and monitoring and evaluation methodologies relating to collaborative initiatives and efforts between workforce investment systems and State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) programs on behalf of individuals with disabilities.
- Serve as an agency expert. In that role, the incumbent recognizes and supports the development of innovative approaches used by State agencies and other formula grantees; develops and interprets new regulations and advises State agencies on their compliance efforts; develops and presents training for State agencies on new program requirements and regulations; stimulates cooperative efforts of State agencies involved in rehabilitation and employment programs; and promotes partnerships with other federal and State agencies as well as private organizations.
- Serve on State teams and national policy working groups to develop national program policies and guidelines and plays a major role in the identification of goals and objectives, issue development, and evaluation in particular area of expertise; identifies areas of policy deficiency or conflict; serves on peer review panels for selection of projects related to legislation for programs for individuals with disabilities; and prepares policy papers, as required, for use by national leadership.
- Serve as a State liaison (i.e., point-of-contact) for grantees in one or more States. In this role, the incumbent receives communications from grantees, including inquiries related to statutory, regulatory, and policy interpretation, and is responsible for collaborating with functional unit and State team members, along with other Department offices, to develop comprehensive guidance and to provide this guidance to grantees.
- Arrange and coordinate appropriate technical, programmatic and management assistance. Oversight to assigned State agencies and other rehabilitation programs. Support and use of innovative approaches and best practices, the incumbent provides technical assistance to State VR agencies on implementation of the WIOA.
- May perform independent research studies related to disability problems/issues, and develop national guidelines, positions and options for resolving complex programmatic, administrative and managerial problems. The incumbent identifies model service delivery systems and other best-practices used by VR programs and agencies, and will disseminate this information to other customers with similar needs.
- Develop and maintain liaisons with established professional and consumer advocacy groups, responds to requests from organizations, businesses and individuals as they relate to consumer concerns, and community awareness.
- Provide leadership and assures technical accuracy of all State Plans required by the Rehabilitation Act for assigned States and recommends approval or disapproval to the unit chief; participates in the negotiation of changes; and provides technical assistance to key State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agency officials, as necessary, to bring assigned State Plans into compliance.

**Requirements**:
**Conditions of Employment**:

- Relocation will not be paid.
- Males 18 and over must be registered with the Selective Service.
- Must be a US Citizen
- Must complete a Background Investigation and Fingerprint check.

**You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this vacancy announcement.**