Job Description

OUR MISSION: KEEP WASHINGTON SAFE AND WORKING! OUR VALUES: CUSTOMER FOCUS, ONE L&I, RESPECT, DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION, LEARNING AND GROWTH, RELIABILITY.

Washington is America's Top State according to U.S. News (2019) and we provide one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation. Here at the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I), we believe that your voice matters. We value our employees and their work-life balance by encouraging flexible schedules. In addition, L&I is a diverse state agency dedicated to the safety and health and security of Washington's 3.3 million workers.

To learn more about L&I, please click on the link below! HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=J8U0JS4SXZA

Per Governor Inslee’s Proclamation 21-14 (Download PDF reader), state employees must be fully vaccinated no later than October 18, 2021. Your vaccine status will be verified by Human Resources prior to your first day of employment. Please contact April Sharp at elib235@lni.wa.gov if you need information on a medical or religious accommodation.

THE TEAM:

ERTW staff work directly with the injured workers, employers, physicians, and claim managers to achieve the best possible outcomes by promoting and exploring return-to-work possibilities as early as medically appropriate. THE ROLE:

As the Field Vocational Services Specialist 2 (VSS2) you will provide consultative services under direction of the regional ERTW Supervisor and with the support and guidance of the Regional Program Manager and the Insurance Services Field Liaison Manager. As the VSS2, you will support the state’s economic well-being by assisting employers to return injured workers to work as quickly and safely as possible.

As the Field VSS2, you will utilize your professional vocational experience and knowledge to educate and assist employers in setting up return to work programs, providing return-to-work assistance to help keep employees working or returning employees to work at the earliest time possible following an industrial injury. You will provide vocational assistance to employers on special requests. You will work as part of a team and will access the expertise of other internal programs on an as needed basis. THE VACCINE MANDATE APPLIES TO ALL EMPLOYEES REGARDLESS OF FIELD, OFFICE OR TELEWORK STATUS. Due to the nature of this position, the incumbent will be required to work in the field as well as a combination of working from home and/or from an L&I office. When asked to work in the office, the Duty station for this position will be in any one of the following offices: MT. VERNON, EVERETT OR BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON.

Duties

SOME OF WHAT YOU WILL DO:

• Research and identify employers that could benefit from outreach services.
• Provide direct full-scope RTW assistance to the employer to allow for the development of Return to Work Programs.
• Assist employers in identifying and developing light duty jobs, job descriptions, job offer letters. Perform on-site evaluations of worksites to complete Stand Alone Job Analysis.
• Educate employers on RTW processes, best practices and assists them to implement an effective return to work program.
• Educate employers on how to identify and develop light duty jobs, job descriptions and job offer letters.
• Inform and educates employers on the Light Duty Return to Work, WA Stay at Work and Preferred Worker Programs.
• Develop job analyses, following WAC 296-19A-137 and WAC 296-19A-170.
• Conduct ergonomic evaluations.
• Provide on-site evaluations of worksites to complete job descriptions/analysis and modification of jobs.
• Refer employers to internal partners, such as Risk Management and Safety.
• Use flexible and agile communication skills to persuade and inform all stakeholders about requirements and expectations in the RTW process. Employ advanced strategies and problem solving skills to remove barriers.
• Present on-site educational workshops for employers, employees, and other professionals in the field of worker’s compensation on topics concerning return to work.
• Maintain a caseload of ERTW assignments received from Employer Services and Claims Administration.
• Interview workers to identify RTW motivation, potential psychosocial barriers, and develops and implements an action plan to remediate barriers and facilitate RTW in coordination with employer and worker.
• And much more!

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• A Master's Degree AND a CRC, CDMS or ABVE certification and a least ONE year of full time industrial insurance experience.

OR

• A Bachelor's Degree AND a CRC or CDMS certification and a least TWO years full time industrial insurance experience.

• Must be able to be registered as a vocational provider with the Department of Labor and Industries.

• Must have working knowledge of laws, rules and policies regarding vocational rehabilitation services.

HERE IS WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR :

• Current experience as a vocational rehabilitation counselor or Vocational Services Specialist (VSS) in industrial insurance with the Department of Labor and Industries, and/or experience providing return-to-work or vocational services under other jurisdictions.

• Vocational Rehabilitation - Has a working knowledge of laws, rules (i.e., WAC 296-19A) and policies regarding vocational rehabilitation services and skill applying vocational laws, rules and policies to specific claims.

Supplemental Information

APPLICATION PROCESS:

The top candidates will be contacted directly to interview for this position. Because the selection will be based on information provided by you, it is in your best interest to identify the knowledge, skills and abilities that address the mandatory and desirable qualifications described above. Applications submitted will contain the following:

1. A letter of interest describing specific qualifications.
2. A current resume detailing applicable experience and education.
3. A list of at least three professional references with current telephone numbers.

DO NOT attach or place any information about your vaccination status, including listing the Governor Mandate as a reason for leaving employment, within the application, resume, or cover letter. If you do, we will reject your application. If we reject your application, we are doing so to safeguard others from receiving your confidential information. You will need to remove the confidential information before you can apply again.

OTHER INFORMATION:

• Offer of hire is contingent upon completion of a background check that includes a criminal record history review.
• Positions requiring travel must have a valid unrestricted driver's license and must be insured if driving a privately owned vehicle on state business.
• This position is represented by the ­WASHINGTON FEDERATION OF STATE EMPLOYEES (WFSE).
• Candidates who are offered a job with L&I must possess work authorization which does not require sponsorship by the employer for a visa now or in the future.
• The Department of Labor & Industries complies with the employment eligibility verification requirements of the federal Form, I-9. The selected candidate must be able to provide proof of identity and eligibility to work in the United States consistent with the requirements of that form on the first day of employment.
• Please note: This announcement may be used to fill multiple permanent and/or non-permanent positions.

Applicants wishing to claim Veterans Preference should attach a copy of their DD-214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22, or signed verification of service letter from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to their application. Please blackout any personally identifiable data such as social security numbers. For further information please contact us at: Jobs@Lni.wa.gov.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION EMPLOYER

Here at Labor & Industries our employees come from all walks of life as do we. We strive to hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

We believe in the importance of recognizing the value each of us contribute to the success of the mission of the agency. Having a diverse workforce is this agency’s greatest resource of strength and knowledge. It is through the combination of talents and abilities that we can pursue finding effective measures on how we can provide the best customer service. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace for everyone and we strongly mean everyone.

The State of Washington is an equal opportunity employer. Persons with a disability who need accommodation in the application process or testing process, or those needing this announcement in an alternative format, may call (360) 902-5700. TTY users should first call 711 to access the Washington Relay Service.

You are welcome to include the name and pronoun you would like to be referred to in your materials and we will honor this as you interact with our award-winning diverse and inclusive organization.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS ANNOUNCEMENT, PROGRAM, OR THE AGENCY PLEASE CONTACT APRIL SHARP AT ELIB235@LNI.WA.GOV.

Company Description

L&I is a diverse state agency dedicated to the safety, health, and security of Washington's 3.3 million workers. We help employers meet safety and health standards, and we inspect workplaces when alerted to hazards. As administrators of the state's workers' compensation system, we are similar to a large insurance company, providing medical and limited wage-replacement coverage to workers who suffer job-related injuries and illness. Our rules and enforcement programs also help ensure workers are paid what they are owed, that children's and teens' work hours are limited, and that consumers are protected from unsound building practices. We serve customers in 19 offices throughout Washington and have approximately 2,800 skilled employees, including safety inspectors, claims specialists, nurses, researchers, accountants, labor experts, and support staff.